When Grigor Dimitrov went down injured at Wimbledon, it was unclear if he would step on court again during the 2025 season. On Monday, that question was answered in a triumphant return to action at the final ATP Masters 1000 event of the season.
Making his debut at La Defense Arena, the new home of the Rolex Paris Masters, Dimitrov pulled away from Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard for a 7-6 (5), 6-1 victory.
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around the whole time away from the court. It was never easy,” Dimitrov reflected with ATP Media afterwards. “I knew that coming to competition was going to be a difficult task. I just wanted to come out and test myself, give myself a chance.
“It’s a good night. I’m taking it in.”
Both players were under fire early on serve, though staved off the pressure moments. Mpetshi Perricard attempted to disrupt the Bulgarian’s rhythm by constantly coming forward, a tactic that never came together for the 22-year-old.
In the tiebreak, Dimitrov generated an immediate mini break by looping his crosscourt forehand pass with enough of a dip to draw a volley error. Two surprise forehand miscues by the former world No. 3 briefly let the home favorite back in at 4-5, but another poor trip to the net allowed Dimitrov to regain the advantage and serve it out.
By now, it was clear Dimitrov had a strong read on the unraveling six-foot-seven Frenchman. The 2023 finalist went on a four-game run, earning a double break with a nasty low backhand slice that handcuffed Mpetshi Perricard in no man’s land.