ATP Tour
A lifetime of rushing opponents makes Dimitrov a “passing master”
In 2025, Bulgaria won 40.6% of its points when the opponent was in front of the net
January 20, 2026
Getty Images/ATP Tour
Jerome Coombe
When opponents dared to advance in 2025, Grigor Dimitrov made them suffer. The Bulgarian leads the ATP Tour with 40.6 percent of points scored when his opponent is in front of the net, a staggering rate of return that has earned him a fitting label: passing guru.
This figure speaks directly to Dimitrov’s artistic talent. With one of the most graceful one-handed backhands in the sport, he constantly creates impossible angles, dipping the ball at his opponent’s feet or threading it through outstretched volleys.
Dimitrov believes that success comes from years of experience dealing with aggressive opponents since he was a child, and he learned early on how to neutralize players who rush to the net.
“When I was a teenager I was always playing against older players, [those] Taller than me,” Dimitrov explained. “I wasn’t that tall when I was younger and a lot of them were on the net a lot, especially some of the American players when I was playing, and they were always serving, volleying or attacking me.
“So I always like to have goals. I like some of them because I move around the pitch quite quickly and [could] Anticipate some shots ahead of time and know where I’m going to put the ball in order to hit it [an easier] The next ball will come back to me. “
It’s not just about touch, either. Dimitrov remained calm in high-pressure moments, trusting his timing and finding passing lanes when the pitch seemed closed. In a sport where net-rushers often expect to be rewarded, he turned their aggressiveness into opportunity. But how does he decide whether to hit the winning shot or make it easier to pass the next ball back?
“It’s hard to know what you’re going to do because you just don’t know,” Dimitrov said. “You have a split second to make a decision…so for me, I’ve been putting most of my focus on the ball because the ball gives me information and then hopefully I make the right decision.”
This skill was most evident at Wimbledon, where Dimitrov’s grass-court efficiency and shooting ability caused even the most trouble for his opponents. In the fourth round, he held a two-set lead over eventual champion Yannick Sinner, repeatedly neutralizing the Italian’s advances with clean passes and sharp angles. It was a performance full of control and creativity, only to be forced to retire due to a heartbreaking pectoral injury.
That combination of talent and toughness defined Dimitrov’s season. The former PIF ATP No. 3 and Nitto ATP Finals champion also reached the semifinals of the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami, where his ability to absorb pressure and counterattack with precision stood out this week at the Tour de France Classic.
Points won when the opponent is in front of the net (2025)
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