The enduring friendship between tennis stalwarts Gael Monfils and Grigor Dimitrov has been a captivating narrative in the world of tennis. Over the decades, the duo has shared not just the court, but also a cherished camaraderie that has seen them through many highs and lows.
Monfils, a Frenchman, is a celebrated figure in the sport with a professional career spanning 21 years. His polished skills and dynamic playstyle have earned him the reputation of being the most entertaining player on the ATP Tour. On the other hand, Dimitrov, a Bulgarian pro, has held his ground in the sport since his debut in 2007. Known as ‘Baby Fed’ owing to the striking similarity of his game to that of Roger Federer, Dimitrov has been a consistent performer for over 15 years.
Their close friendship has, however, not spared them the heat of competition. The rivals have faced off multiple times on the court, with Monfils, at 38, holding a 4-2 record against the 33-year-old Dimitrov. Dimitrov is set to challenge this record once again when they meet in the Round of 32 at the Indian Wells Masters on Tuesday. The victor will then face the winner of the match between Carlos Alcaraz and Denis Shapovalov.
The journey of these two athletes hasn’t been without controversy. One of the most notable incidents involved the outspoken tennis legend and commentator, John McEnroe. Known for his forthright views, McEnroe did not shy away from criticising Monfils’ performance against Novak Djokovic in the 2016 US Open semi-finals. The Frenchman’s apparently lacklustre play led McEnroe to question his professionalism, a criticism that deeply affected Monfils.
Dimitrov, too, has been at the receiving end of McEnroe’s harsh words. After a disappointing performance against Andy Murray in the 2016 US Open quarter-final, McEnroe critiqued Dimitrov’s lack of fighting spirit.
Despite these trials, the bond between Monfils and Dimitrov has remained strong. A testament to their friendship was a love letter penned by Dimitrov to Monfils during the Lexus ATP Head2Head Scavenger Hunt at the Rolex Paris Masters in 2023. Dimitrov’s touching message read, “Dear Gael, So they say love is a bad thing to have in tennis, but this is all I have for you. You won today, but what can I do? I cannot possibly stay mad at you. All my love, G”.
Their clash at Wimbledon last year was another significant moment in their shared history. Dimitrov won the match with straight sets of 6-3, 6-4, 6-3, but not without a dramatic interruption. Monfils, in an attempt to return a forehand, slid into a line judge and injured his knee. While he was able to continue the match, he couldn’t prevent Dimitrov from securing the win.
Despite his previous criticism, McEnroe recently praised both players. He was especially impressed with Monfils’ performance in the Australian Open earlier this year and hailed him as “one of the three most talented guys never to win a major”. Dimitrov, too, received commendation from McEnroe, who highlighted his potential for winning his first Grand Slam.
Through their shared history, both on and off the court, Monfils and Dimitrov have left an indelible mark on the world of tennis. Their story serves as a testament to the power of friendship, resilience, and the unwavering love for the sport.