Grigor Dimitrov’s promising Wimbledon run ended in a heartbreaking manner. The Bulgarian was two sets up on Jannik Sinner before he felt discomfort in his right pectoral muscle, ultimately being forced to retire.
The Centre Court roof had been shut minutes earlier, and Andy Murray was quick to slam the move. Now, Dimitrov’s coach Jamie Delgado, once Murray’s mentor, has stepped in to give his take on the situation.
Grigor Dimitrov’s Coach Jamie Delgado Comments on Wimbledon Roof Closure Debate
Delgado told the BBC that the indoor switch did not trigger Dimitrov’s pectoral injury. He said “But Grigor actually, after the match, was [saying he was] liking when the roof went on, because he actually felt it got a little bit warmer in there, and his body loosened up a little bit more, even more than it was.”
Delgado did, however, echo a wider feeling that Wimbledon should aim to keep play outdoors when possible. “I guess it’s a separate question whether it should have been closed or not. I mean, I don’t think it made a difference in his actual injury. But it should be an outdoor tournament and you should play outdoors for as long as possible – I don’t disagree with that,” he said.
At the time of the injury, Dimitrov led 6-3, 7-5, and 2-2 in the third set. He slipped and clutched his chest, leaving the court in tears. The retirement was his fifth in a row at a major, a run that now extends his wait for a first Grand Slam title.
Worrying scenes in the Grigor Dimitrov & Jannik Sinner match at Wimbledon.
Grigor hurt his pectoral muscle while hitting a volley.
He’s laughing out of hysteria. pic.twitter.com/32MPh0OXjt
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 7, 2025
The coach added that the 10-minute pause while the roof slid over did not break Dimitrov’s rhythm, pointing out that his player had praised the warmer court after the match.
Nonetheless, calling the setback “heartbreaking,” Delgado remarked, “The work that he’s put in to get to this stage and play in these kinds of matches against someone like Sinner, and Wimbledon’s his favourite tournament.”
Andy Murray’s Open-Roof Stance Sparks Debate
Murray posted on X as the roof was sliding shut at about 8:30 p.m., a time organisers say gives consistent light for the Hawk-Eye system. “So ridiculous to close the roof at this stage of the match. At least an hour of light left…well over a set of tennis can still be played..its an outdoor tournament,” he wrote.
So ridiculous to close the roof at this stage of the match. At least an hour of light left….well over a set of tennis can still be played..its an outdoor tournament! 👎
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) July 7, 2025
Fans and commentators pushed back, arguing that uneven dusk light can trip the electronic line-calling now used on all 18 courts. Some pointed to Ben Shelton’s match earlier in the week that paused for darkness despite clear skies.
Others noted that roofs have been closing at roughly the same time every night, a routine aimed at avoiding mid-set stoppages. While agreeing in principle that Wimbledon is “an outdoor event,” Delgado insisted the roof change made “no difference” to Dimitrov’s chest strain.
For now, Dimitrov is in recovery, while Sinner, chasing his maiden Wimbledon crown, is set to face Ben Shelton in the quarterfinal on Wednesday.
