Dimitrov despair but his Wimbledon heroics inspire Vasilev and Ivanov

Watching the enforced retirement of Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov on Monday evening was heartbreaking, as it was for two aspiring players who hold their fellow countryman in high regard. 

For anyone unaware, Dimitrov left Centre Court in tears after being forced to retire from his showdown with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner having won the opening two sets to move within touching distance of the quarter-finals.

Bulgaria is a nation with some exciting prospects and two of those, Alexander Vasilev and Ivan Ivanov, both won their second-round matches at the Junior Championships, Wimbledon today to seal their passage to round three.

Vasilev, who is ranked No. 10 in the ITF World Tennis Tour boys’ rankings, was the first to progress as he defeated Morocco’s Karim Bennani 6-4 6-4, while moments later Ivanov dispatched Egor Pleshivtsev 7-6(6) 6-2.

Vasilev, who it transpires is Dimitrov’s cousin, and Ivanov were glued to the action as Dimitrov suffered a pectoral injury when seemingly on the brink of a famous upset.  

“I watched last night and I was very happy, I was cheering and wanted Grigor to win,” Vasilev, who contested the final at J300 Roehampton last week, told itftennis.com. “But that’s the sport – it’s a very tough sport – and it’s unlucky for him.

“I wish him a speedy recovery. I know he works really hard to get to where he is and I wish him all the best. All Bulgarian players, not only me, look up to him as an idol and as a person.

“He is such a beautiful player and has such style, so he is definitely someone I am inspired by. I have just met him by Centre Court and I wished him all the best, I hope to see him play his best tennis again – I know he can.

“We are doing very well as a nation. We have a couple of girls [Rositsa Dencheva and Elizara Yaneva are ranked Nos. 17 and 23 respectively in the ITF World Tennis Tour girls’ rankings]. We are doing a fantastic job to push the name of Bulgaria forward.”

Ivanov, meanwhile, is making his first Wimbledon appearance and the 16-year-old echoed Vasilev’s sentiments, insisting the duo would relish the opportunity to carry their nation’s hopes in similar fashion to Dimitrov in the coming years.

“It means a lot to be here,” Ivanov, who is a two-time Grand Slam Player Grant recipient – with support totalling $50,000 – through the ITF-operated Grand Slam Player Development Programme, told itftennis.com.

“I intend to enjoy every second of the venue and everything about it – it is magic. I am enjoying the experience to the fullest because here is so special. I am so glad that I am able to be here.

“It is also a big privilege to represent Bulgaria on a stage like this – it is an honour. We saw Grigor last night and it is very unfortunate because he could not finish what he started, but I am very happy to compete for the Bulgarian flag.”

Itftennis.com spoke to Ivanov during the Roland Garros Junior Championships when he advanced to the semi-finals only to lose out to Max Schoenhaus as he set up an all-German final against Niels McDonald.

It was revealed during that interview that Ivanov, who attends the Rafa Nadal Academy, was sitting exams between Roland Garros and Wimbledon. The exams were in Maths, English and Biology and he passed all three.

“I had to study and that is important,” said Ivanov, who won his maiden professional title at M15 Szentendre on the ITF World Tennis Tour in May.

“Studying is actually great for me. Not necessarily the studying itself, but me having to keep my discipline, which is something that will also help me on the court. I am not too happy to study, but I know I have to.”

A full list of results from the 2025 Junior Championships, Wimbledon is available here