Australian Open semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov details impact of COVID-19

Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov fell ill with coronavirus on the infamous Adria Tour and is only now starting to recover after a difficult month battling the illness

Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov is only now recovering after a testing month fighting the COVID-19 virus. Picture: AFP

Former Australian Open semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov has opened up on the debilitating impact coronavirus can have on athletes in their prime as he recovers from the illness.

Dimitrov, who has made the final four in Melbourne, at Wimbledon and also the US Open, is renowned as a superb athlete who is supremely fit.

The former world No 3 possesses a beautiful game to watch, has dated some of the world’s leading players and has an active lifestyle that has taken him to the world’s best cities.

Despite his athleticism and youth, the Bulgarian said COVID-19 wreaked havoc with his body, with Dimitrov struggling with the virus for at least one month after falling ill.

“The virus was hard on me. I stayed home for about one month,” he said.

“I was not breathing well. I was not feeling well. I was tired. I had all the symptoms. No taste. No smell. Everything that you could possibly think. It was no fun.”

The 29-year-old fell ill in June when competing on the infamous Adria Tour which led to world No 1 Novak Djokovic and his wife Jelena, among other players, contracting the virus.

The eight-time Australian Open champion attracted criticism for flouting social distancing guidelines.

Competitors were pictured hugging when playing and partying, while fans packed stands to capacity to catch a rare glimpse of the Serbian champion playing live in the region.

Djokovic arranged the event as a fundraising activity and claimed to be following Serbian government guidelines, but subsequently acknowledged some errors were made on the tour.

pic.twitter.com/vR18zKhtL8

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) June 23, 2020

Dimitrov, who was criticised by Djokovic’s father Srdan, returned to the court on a the weekend but is far from his best form or optimal fitness.

The world No 19 is playing in an exhibition event run by Patrick Mouratoglou, the coach of Serena Williams, at his tennis academy in Nice.

Australian Alexei Popyrin has competed in the events, which have drawn quality players, held at the academy over the past month.

Dimitrov, who appeared unwell when playing the Adria Tour before announcing he had contracted coronavirus, is still struggling to train and compete properly.

“I am trying to put in as much effort on the court right now, even if I am tired, to keep progressing,” he told the Tennis Majors website.

“You just don’t know. One day I will be really well and I can be out for about four hours and then, all of a sudden, I need to completely shut down, to take a nap, or just rest.”

A Tennis Majors exclusive : Covid-19 was "hard" on Dimitrov, and return to play has been challenging. Listen to him 👇#UTS #tennis #covid pic.twitter.com/zz279RW5ig

— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) July 26, 2020

The 2017 ATP Tour Finals champion’s detailed account raises the stakes for players ahead of the ATP and WTA Tours resuming next month leading up to the US Open in late August.

With Victorians in their 20s currently in intensive care in the state due to coronavirus, the right-hander’s account provides another reminder that young people can fall seriously ill with COVID-19.

It is not just the physical impact Dimitrov is still struggling to overcome. He said the time fighting the viral infection was also taxing psychologically.

“It doesn’t matter how mentally strong you are as a person, an athlete, or anything, it is inevitable to not get some bad thoughts in your head,” he said.

“That is my biggest message. We should not underestimate the power of the mental state. This thing is real. If we take the right precautions and everybody is safe, things will get better quicker, but it is a strange time.”

As Dimitrov continues his rehabilitation, world No 2 Simona Halep was surprisingly criticised by the organisers of a WTA tournament in Palermo beginning next week for withdrawing because of the virus.

The first few events when the tour resumes will come under close scrutiny leading into the US Open and French Open, which has been rescheduled for late September.

Former US Open champion Andy Murray has decided he will travel to New York to play in both the relocated Cincinnati Masters, which will be held at Flushing Meadows, and the first grand slam held since the Australian Open.

But considerable doubt remains as to the participation of the top-ranked Australians in New York. US officials are increasingly confident the Open will proceed and have faith in their COVID-19 protocols.