Geneva, Switzerland – Bulgarian tennis star Grigor Dimitrov has officially withdrawn from the ATP 250 tournament in Geneva, citing medical reasons, tournament organizers confirmed earlier this week. The 32-year-old, who was initially listed as the fourth seed, will no longer feature in the draw just days before the competition gets underway.
Dimitrov’s exit is a significant development ahead of the clay-court tournament, which serves as one of the final preparatory events before the French Open. His withdrawal opens up the draw for other contenders and removes a major obstacle for top-seeded players.
The world No. 10 last competed at the Rome Masters earlier this month, where he suffered a surprising first-round defeat at the hands of Italian wildcard Francesco Passaro. The early exit in Rome raised questions about Dimitrov’s physical condition, though no specific injury details have been disclosed.
This marks a disappointing turn for Dimitrov, who has enjoyed a resurgence in form over the past year. He reached the final in Geneva in 2023, where he narrowly lost to Chile’s Nicolas Jarry in a hard-fought title clash. Many had expected the Bulgarian to make a deep run again this year, especially given his strong performances on clay over the past season.
The Geneva Open, which begins on Monday, now sees American Taylor Fritz as the top seed. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who accepted a wildcard entry into the tournament, is the second seed and headlines the draw. Djokovic’s late addition has generated considerable excitement, as he looks to gain more match practice on clay ahead of Roland Garros.
Other top-eight seeds include Norway’s Casper Ruud, Czech rising star Tomasz Machac, Russian powerhouse Karen Khachanov, Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, and American youngster Alex Michelsen.
Dimitrov’s withdrawal could prove beneficial for lower-ranked players hoping to make a breakthrough in Geneva, with one more spot in the main draw now available for alternates or lucky losers from the qualifying rounds.
Fans of Dimitrov will hope that his withdrawal is more precautionary than indicative of a serious injury, especially with the French Open looming. The second Grand Slam of the year begins on May 26, and Dimitrov’s presence in Paris remains uncertain following this setback.
The Geneva tournament has gained prominence in recent years, attracting top talent seeking to fine-tune their game before the rigorous demands of Roland Garros. For Dimitrov, the decision to prioritize his health may prove wise in the long term, though it comes at the cost of missing a tournament where he had previously enjoyed success.
As of now, no official statement has been released by Dimitrov or his team regarding the specific nature of the medical issue. His fans, however, will be closely monitoring updates as the tennis world shifts its attention to the upcoming Grand Slam in Paris.