Grigor Dimitrov’s impressive streak of appearing in 58 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments is set to end as he withdraws from the upcoming US Open due to injury. Since the 2011 Australian Open, Dimitrov’s name has been a fixture on every men’s singles main draw entry list. However, the Bulgarian will be absent from the US Open this year after sustaining a partial tear of his right pectoralis major muscle at Wimbledon.

During Wimbledon, Dimitrov was leading by two sets against eventual champion Jannik Sinner but was forced to retire due to the injury. Despite hopes for recovery, Dimitrov has not regained fitness in time for the American Slam. His manager, Georgi Stoimenov, confirmed to TennisKafe that Dimitrov will be sitting out this tournament, with the possibility of returning for events in China later in September still uncertain.

Dimitrov holds the record for the longest active consecutive Grand Slam appearance streak at 58 tournaments. Over these years, his performance at the majors has seen various milestones, including reaching the Wimbledon semi-final in 2014 and multiple quarter-final appearances at the Australian Open and French Open. His recent Grand Slam results reflect a seasoned career that continues to face challenges from injuries and form.

As he recovers, all eyes will be on his return to competitive play later this season. For now, the absence of a player who has been a constant presence on the major stage marks the end of an era in active Grand Slam participation count.

The final of the Mubadala Citi Open offered a vivid display of the mental challenges in tennis, as Alejandro Davidovich Fokina faltered against Alex de Minaur despite a strong position. Known for his aggressive style, Davidovich Fokina’s troubles often come from rushing shots rather than hesitation. Sunday’s match underlined this pattern, as he served for the title at 5-3 in the third set and went up 30-0, only to succumb to a sequence of unforced errors including a double fault and a misfired forehand.

His internal battle became increasingly visible, manifesting in intense frustration, arenas of disappointment, and a total collapse of composure in the final stages. Despite squandering three championship points, his competitive spirit never fully diminished during his match points, where he refrained from rushing and acknowledged de Minaur’s superior play.

Davidovich Fokina’s approach to anxiety and pressure, unfortunately, led to his losing from match point up for the second time this year, echoing previous losses in Delray and Acapulco. Yet, his post-match speech was composed and reflective, acknowledging de Minaur’s deserving victory and taking solace in achieving his season goal of breaking into the Top 20.

De Minaur exemplified sportsmanship, consoling his opponent openly on court. “You are a hell of a competitor, a hell of a player. No one on the tour wants to play you. This is not the end, this is only going up for you,” he told Davidovich Fokina. This interaction highlighted the respect and empathy shared between the two, reinforcing that this Washington final is but a waypoint in Davidovich Fokina’s rising career trajectory.

The emotional roller coaster of this match underscores the complexity of mental resilience in tennis, and while the choke remains a haunting foe, the capacity to regain composure and credit the opponent is a testament to true sportsmanship and character.

Leylah Fernandez has signaled her intent as a formidable contender at the upcoming US Open with a commanding performance at the WTA 500 Citi DC Open. The 22-year-old Canadian captured the title by decisively defeating Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-2, marking her most significant win to date, surpassing her previous four WTA 250 titles.

Fernandez’s route to the championship included victories over top competitors such as Jessica Pegula, Taylor Townsend, and Elena Rybakina. Her success has attracted commentary from notable figures in tennis. Former world No. 9 CoCo Vandeweghe, speaking on the Tennis Channel Live Podcast, noted, “I think she is a threat at the US Open. You are always going to play well where you have had success.”

American player Steve Johnson expressed confidence in Fernandez’s trajectory, saying, “I see big things. Whenever you can get a title on a hard court leading up into a Grand Slam… especially now going home. Some players have a hard time playing at home with the crowds and the pressure and all that. I think she is going to be doing just fine up there.” Johnson referenced Fernandez’s 2021 US Open final appearance, where she reached the final barely at 19 years old, defeating top players including Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka before falling to Emma Raducanu.

Reflecting on her Citi DC Open final performance, Fernandez said, “The match was very solid from my part. I was very happy the way that I held my nerves. I was definitely very nervous in the beginning, but I got to play my game in the important points and kind of push through those nerves.”

Fernandez emphasized the physical and mental challenges she overcame during the tournament: “If I can get through this week, through the cramps, through the long matches, through the heat, the humidity, I can get through anything.” On her tactical approach against Kalinskaya, she said, “My intention was actually to be more offensive than her, but I think at the same time, I like long rallies. So that kind of helped me to settle in.”

With this breakthrough victory and her refined composure, Fernandez stands as a clear contender to watch heading into the US Open and the remainder of the summer’s hard court season.