Grigor Dimitrov wants London to define his season, starting with the title at Queen’s Club and culminating in a place at the ATP World Tour Finals.
The player labelled ‘Baby Fed’ had a scintillating start to the season, winning two of his opening three tournaments, as well as reaching the Australian Open semi-finals, where he lost a five-set epic to Rafa Nadal. But after reaching only his second quarter-final since February, the 26-year-old Bulgarian is confident of shining in the capital.
Dimitrov, who faces Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in his quarter-final today, said: “My goal is try to get to London [and the ATP World Tour Finals]. Quite a few times I’ve just missed it by a spot or two.
“I think I’m improving, which is the point. I’m very excited about not only the grass-court season but the summer ahead.
“I feel it’s going to be great. My team and I have our goals in front of us. We have everything that we need to do in order for things to work.”
Dimitrov has blown hot and cold in his career but is hopeful of emulating his summer of 2014, when he won Queen’s before reaching the semi-finals at SW19.
Having seen Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic experience difficulties and Rafa Nadal forego Queen’s, Dimitrov knows victory on Sunday would make him a marked man for the third Grand Slam of the year.
“Let’s say you win here again, you’re a good contender for Wimbledon,” he added.
Aegon 2017 Championships at Queen's Club - In pictures
For a time during his last-16 tie against Julien Benneteau, No6 seed Dimitrov had looked in danger of bowing out. He lost the opening set 6-4 but settled and took the final two sets 6-3, 6-4 to book himself a quarter-final berth.
Since last year, Dimitrov has been coached by Dani Vallverdu, Andy Murray’s long-time hitting partner, and he believes the Venezuelan’s experience of winning on grass with the Murray camp can hold him in good stead.
“It’s our first Wimbledon together, so I’m sure we’re going to talk a bit about our experiences,” he said. “But right now we have the quarter-finals at Queen’s Club - that’s the priority.”
