Grigor Dimitrov delivers Heartfelt tribute to Novak Djokovic ahead of Miami Open final “…

Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov paid respect to Novak Djokovic, stating that he is still the greatest player in men’s tennis history in the singles category, using only eight words. The 37-year-old, who has won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles, is presently competing in the ATP 1000 event in Miami, where he has secured his spot in the final.

Djokovic defeated Dimitrov in the semifinals in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. With that, he became the oldest men’s tennis singles player in the Open era to reach an ATP 1000 final. After that match, Dimitrov was full of praise for his opponent. “Wears confidence like a stain on your shirt,” he said.

Djokovic, in response, was ‘grateful’ to receive such comments from someone whom he considers ‘a friend’. “Very grateful to hear something like that coming from someone that I really respect as a player but even more than a player, as a person,” he said. “Someone that I consider a friend, a guy I really love spending time with off the court as well.”

In the final, Djokovic will face Czech Republic’s teenage tennis phenom Jakub Mensik, who defeated 2024 US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz in the semifinals with a score of 7-6, 4-6, 7-6. It will be the two players’ second meeting in professional tennis. In their lone prior match, in the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters last year, Djokovic won 6-7, 6-1, 6-4.

Talking after the match, Mensik stated that it feels ‘incredible’ to cement a spot in the final of the mega-event and facing a legendary player like Djokovic. “It feels incredible,” he said. “It was a dream to play against him in Shanghai. For now it’s a bit different. I am a better player now and I’m going to enjoy and it’s going to be really exciting. Let’s see what’s going to happen Sunday.”