When Grigor Dimitrov walked back onto the court at the Paris Masters, it wasn’t just another first-round match—it was a moment 113 days in the making. Since his heartbreaking Wimbledon exit earlier this year—when a pectoral injury not only sidelined him but also brought an end to his remarkable streak of 58 consecutive Grand Slam appearances—the Bulgarian has embarked on a journey of quiet resilience and self-discovery. But on Monday night in Paris, that journey came full circle as Dimitrov marked his long-awaited return with a hard-fought victory over local favorite Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Before entering this match, Dimitrov gave an interview to L’Equipe, and during the conversation, he said that taking a step back from tennis really did him good. It made him realize that it’s normal to be injured and not play every week, and hence now, he’s very happy to be back on the court once again. This was his first meeting with the 22-year-old Frenchman, and in this R64 clash, Dimitrov defeated Perricard by 7-6(5), 6-1.

Grigor Dimitrov’s best record in this tournament came in 2023. He reached the final that year, but eventually the Bulgarian was defeated by Novak Djokovic in that match by 6-4, 6-3. Last year, he was knocked out in the QF by Karen Khachanov. What did he say about his winning start in his comeback journey at one of his happy hunting grounds? In the on-court interview with Tennis TV, he said, “I think I’m still trying to wrap my head around the whole time away from the court. It was never, never easy. I knew that coming to competition is just gonna be a difficult task. But again, I just wanted to come out and test myself, give myself a chance. I think, winning or losing tonight, I still would have felt like I’ve given all I have. Of course, it’s very difficult to adjust, especially playing against a player like him; you have to be aware throughout the whole time and stay focused.”

The crowd in Bercy was electric—part admiration, part curiosity—about how this 34-year-old veteran will cope‌ against the youngster’s booming serves. Yet, what unfolded wasn’t just a display of technique or experience; it was a story of emotion and endurance. In his interview, Dimitrov further added, “It doesn’t matter how much experience you have; there’s always that added stress, especially after so many months away. But listen, it’s a good night. I’m taking it in and just going one day at a time at the moment.”

He also spoke about how he didn’t have much of an expectation for himself. But now, he’s happy to kickstart his campaign on a winning note. He thanked the Parisian crowd for their incredible support and went on to add, “I feel very appreciated, all around. So that gives me a great gratitude just to be back.” But this victory isn’t just for his fans or himself; it’s also for someone special, who has stood still strongly beside him during his hard times.

Grigor Dimitrov’s girlfriend showcases her love and support for the tennis star once again

When Grigor Dimitrov stepped back onto the court after staying out of action for more than three months, the tennis world couldn’t help but rally behind him. Yet, amid the roar of fans and the flash of cameras at the Paris Masters, one silent supporter shone brighter than all — Eiza Gonzalez, the woman who has stood by his side through every setback and resurgence in the last few months.

Dimitrov and Gonzalez went public with their relationship for the first time in May 2025, through an IG post. In that post, Gonzalez was seen calling the tennis star “my favorite person.” Since then, there have been multiple such big events where they have been spotted showing their love and support for each other. 

For example, during the French Open she was seen attending her boyfriend’s matches, and then at Wimbledon, when Dimitrov’s journey came to an unfortunate ending, Gonzalez was among the first ones who showed her support towards him and made efforts to lift his spirits amid tough times. She even shared a post on IG with the caption, “Love of my life. I couldn’t be more proud of you…”

Later on, she was even spotted making full use of Dimitrov’s time away from the courts, learning a few tennis lessons from the former world number 3. Just before the Paris Masters, when Grigor Dimitrov was busy practicing for the tournament, Eiza Gonzalez shared a video of his practice session with the caption, “Proud of you. He’s back.”

Now, seeing his incredible performance against Perricard, Gonzalez yet again shared a post on her IG stories, and this time, the caption was “Warrior 💪.” Talking about Dimitrov’s performance in this match, he saved all three break points he faced and broke the big-serving Frenchman three times in the second set. With this win, he now has a 25-12 record at the Paris Masters, and hence, Dimitrov currently trails only Novak Djokovic (50), Boris Becker (29), and Tomas Berdych (27) for most wins at this iconic tournament.

Next up for him will be either Daniil Medvedev or Jaume Munar. But before that, Grigor Dimitrov will be seen in action at the doubles event alongside a former world number one (in doubles), Nicolas Mahut. So, plenty of tennis for the Bulgarian at the moment. Do you think Dimitrova can finish the year with a title in his bag?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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Edited by

Shrabana Sengupta