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Sinner survives physical drama and advances to quarterfinals after Dimitrov retires

Wimbledon always has dramatic stories in store, and Jannik Sinner's match against Grigor Dimitrov was no exception. What started as a nightmare for the Italian ended with him advancing to the quarter-finals, though not solely on his own merits, but rather through a combination of his own resilience... and his opponent's misfortune. The outcome left everyone with a lump in their throat: Dimitrov, in tears, retired due to injury when he had the match in his grasp.

It all started with a scare. In the first game of the match, Sinner suffered a fall that injured his right elbow. Right from the start, he was in trouble. The pain was evident on his face, although he tried to continue as best he could. He called for the physiotherapist, swallowed three pills as if they were sweets and held on. It wasn't enough to stop a Dimitrov who was on fire, precise and playing with that elegant style that is so popular on grass. The Bulgarian took the first set 6-3, taking advantage of the fact that his opponent could barely hit the ball normally.

In the second set, the story was much the same. Dimitrov was more solid, feeling better and carrying the weight of the match. Sinner, with his right arm wrapped in cotton wool, was trying to survive rather than compete. Even so, he managed to hold his own and complicate matters, but Dimitrov did not let go of control. He also took the second set 7-5 and seemed to have everything on track for a well-deserved victory.

But tennis, like life, takes unexpected turns.

With the score at 2-2 in the third set, and after hitting an ace, Dimitrov collapsed. He grabbed his right chest and was literally paralysed. He couldn't move his arm and could barely breathe. The pain was as obvious as it was disconcerting. The medical team rushed onto the court immediately. Sinner, who had already gone through his own physical ordeal, stayed by his side, visibly shocked.

Dimitrov tried to leave the court on his own, but the gesture was clear: there was no way he could continue. After a few minutes in the locker room, he returned with a distraught look on his face, emotionally broken. Sinner was waiting for him at the exit, and there the inevitable was confirmed. The Bulgarian, in tears, told him he would not continue. A heartfelt hug, heads bowed, and a bitter farewell to someone who had played at a high level.

‘This is not how you want to win a match, I feel very bad for him,’ Sinner said after the match. And no wonder. The Italian had suffered in the first two sets, but managed to stay on his feet. The truth is that his name will be in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, even though the ticket came in the most unexpected way.

For Dimitrov, it was another tough chapter in the Grand Slam. This is now the fifth time he has withdrawn from a tournament of this level due to injury. It's a curse that seems to give him no respite. Just when he was playing his best, when he was closest to breaking into the top eight in the tournament, his body said enough was enough.

Wimbledon is unforgiving and does not easily give second chances. Sinner knows this and will now have to get back to his best physical condition if he wants to continue dreaming in the tournament. And Dimitrov... will have to get back up again, as he has done so many times before, although this injury will surely take longer to heal than the previous ones. Because it hurts the body, yes, but it also hurts the soul. And in tennis, both count.