Grigor Dimitrov makes triumphant comeback 112 days after quitting Wimbledon match in tears

Grigor Dimitrov made a heroic return to competition at the Paris Masters, taking out home hope Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in his first match in 112 days. Dimitrov had a two-set-to-love lead over top seed and eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the fourth round of Wimbledon over the summer, and looked well on his way to causing a huge upset, when he picked up a career-threatening injury.

The former world No. 3 went down with a pectoral issue and retired from the match in tears. It looked as though Dimitrov's 2025 season was over. But at the last minute, he was able to make a comeback in Paris, where he sealed a 7-6(5) 6-1 victory - his 25th career win at the tournament.

The Bulgarian was clearly emotional after winning his first match since early July, pumping both his fists and looking towards his box, which included his new coach, Grant Chen, and fitness trainer, Yutaka Nakamura.

Dimitrov won a gruelling 67-minute opening set before running away with the second, but he admitted that he would have been satisfied no matter what the result was.

"It never happened to me, so I think I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole time away from the court. It was never easy. I knew that coming to competition is going to be a difficult, difficult task. But again, I just wanted to come out and test myself, give myself a chance," the world No. 38 explained.

"I think winning or losing tonight, I still would have felt like I given all I had. It's very difficult to adjust, especially playing against a player like him. You have to be aware throughout the whole time and stay focused.

"It doesn't matter how much experience you have, there's always that added stress, especially after so many months away. But listen, it's a good night, I'm taking it in and just going one day at a time at the moment."

Dimitrov has plenty of experience on the tour, having lifted nine titles and reached No. 3 in the world. He was ranked inside the top 10 less than a year ago, but he still had zero expectations coming back from his pectoral injury.

The 34-year-old continued: "I didn't know what to expect, if I have to be completely honest. All I knew is that I had to look on my side of the net and really control what I could, and that was my serve, the way I was reading the game and playing my shots.

"In the tiebreak, anything could have happened. I missed those two fairly easy forehands, had to stay within myself, I knew I'm going to get another chance. All that, again, comes from the experience, but I really had not much of an expectation from myself."

Dimitrov was, however, familiar with the Parisian crowd. Although the Paris Masters has moved from its old home of the Accor Arena to a new venue, the La Defense Arena, the fans still turned out in droves on day one of the tournament.

Even though he was taking on a French player, the 2023 runner-up felt the love as he made his comeback. And he now has the fourth-most match wins in tournament history.

"It's wonderful to see. I think space truly has changed, and I think all the players can appreciate that. And on the crowd, it's such an amazing crowd. Towards the end of the year, you really feel that energy," Dimitrov beamed.

"They love their sports, they love their tennis, and it's been a very fair crowd and I love seeing that. At the same time, I feel very appreciated all around, and that gives me a great gratitude just to be back."

Dimitrov will now face either Jaume Munar or Daniil Medvedev as he continues his comeback. The Bulgarian star upset Medvedev on the way to the final here two years ago. Dimitrov is also teaming up with Nicolas Mahut in the doubles for what is the last tournament of Mahut's glittering career.