Grigor Dimitrov was full of praise for Novak Djokovic and the things the Serb is doing at 36 after the Serb beat the Bulgarian in the Paris Masters final. On Sunday, top-seeded Djokovic defeated former world No 3 Dimitrov 6-4 6-3 to win his sixth title of the season.
Djokovic, who already had the Masters record, now has 40 titles at the Masters 1000 level. Also, three of Djokovic's six titles in 2023 came at the Grand Slam level. “Thank you. I think I’m running out of words for Novak, so I’m gonna start with the crowd first.
I just wanted to say I’m grateful for this amazing week. It’s been a rollercoaster the last three months for me. Getting to the final means more than what you guys could imagine. It wouldn’t have been possible without you guys.
Honestly I’m so grateful. Novak congrats. I don’t know what to say man. I’m running out of words. Honestly congrats for another amazing week to you and your team. My team, my guys, we’ve had a blast. Thank you to everyone in the box.
It’s been an amazing journey this year. Completing another year on such a high note. I’m very pleased with that," Dimitrov said after the Paris final.
Dimitrov fails to beat Djokovic and win his first title since 2017
On Sunday, Dimitrov was hoping to win his first title since winning the 2017 ATP Finals.
But Dimitrov didn't start the Paris final well as Djokovic claimed the first break in the seventh game before serving out for the first set in the 10th game. After winning the first set, Djokovic also earned the first break of the second set in the fifth game for a 3-2 lead.
Djokovic missed out on a break point in the seventh game but broke Dimitrov again in the ninth game - the game in which the Bulgarian was serving to stay in the match. Dimitrov will now have to wait at least until 2024 to win an ATP title again.