Grigor Dimitrov is back, and the grass of Wimbledon feels like home again. On Thursday, 2 July 2026, the Bulgarian wildcard defeated Czech 15th seed Jakub Mensik 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in a three-hour-and-18-minute second-round thriller, booking his place in the third round of the All England Club's gentlemen's singles draw.
A Return Loaded with Emotion
The victory carries weight far beyond the scoreline. Almost exactly one year ago, Dimitrov retired in tears from Centre Court after a pectoral injury forced him out of a fourth-round match against world number one Jannik Sinner, a match BBC Sport reports he had been leading 6-3, 7-5. The injury dropped his world ranking all the way down to 146, making his Wimbledon 2026 wildcard entry a comeback story the sport could not ignore.
As the roof over Court One began to close during the closing stages of Thursday's match, BBC Sport reports Dimitrov admitted his mind flashed straight back to that heartbreaking night in 2025. This time, though, there was no heartbreak. The 35-year-old powered through the fourth set and addressed the cheering crowd with visible emotion, saying he had not even allowed himself to think about winning or losing, only about fighting.
What Comes Next: Berrettini Awaits
Dimitrov will next face Italy's Matteo Berrettini, who defeated 20th seed Arthur Fils in four sets to reach the third round. Radio Bulgaria reports the Bulgarian is already looking forward to the contest. It is a reunion with real pedigree: Berrettini was Wimbledon finalist in 2021, while Dimitrov reached the semi-finals at the All England Club back in 2014, when he was nicknamed "Baby Fed" for a playing style that drew comparisons to Roger Federer.
