Grigor Dimitrov funnily revealed he needed some cash prior to meeting Novak Djokovic at the 2013 Madrid Masters and it made him motivated to get the job done against the Serb and get himself a better stay.
After losing to Djokovic at the 2012 Shanghai Masters and 2013 Indian Wells Masters, Dimitrov – who was 21 at the time – was scheduled to clash against the Serb for the third time in the Madrid second round. But this time, Dimitrov ended on the winning side as he stunned Djokovic 7-6 (6) 6-7 (8) 6-3 for his first win over the now record 24-time Grand Slam champion.
At the time, Dimitrov was making his main draw debut in Madrid, while Djokovic entered the tournament as one of the top favorites for the title. Ahead of his 12th Madrid campaign, Dimitrov reflected on a major win he registered in his debut at Caja Magica.
Grigor Dimitrov © Getty Images Sport – Julian Finney
Dimitrov on being motivated to beat Djokovic because he needed a better hotel
“I remember. I came earlier to Madrid. I remember staying in some very, very questionable hotel. And then, when I found out I had to play him, I was like, ‘Okay, let’s see, it’s time,'” Dimitrov told Tennis TV.
“And I wanted to win so I could get some cash to a different hotel. At the time, I remember that. I like to raise my level on those occasions, and I think just against him in particular.”
“I just wanted to see where I was at, and that was it, and just go after my game. This is the place where, like, I just went. There were really no expectations.”
Grigor Dimitrov © Getty Images Sport – Julian Finney
In the same interview, Dimitrov also said he had “a special night” after beating Djokovic and described his win over the Serb as one of his “favorite moments out there.”
This year, Dimitrov is the ninth-seeded player and has a first-round bye, after which he plays against either Yannick Hanfmann or Jakub Mensik.
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