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Day eight is complete as the second week begins at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships.
Men's top seed Jannik Sinner (1) advanced to the last eight after 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov, 34, had to withdraw due to a cruel injury on Centre Court despite being two sets up and close to a stunning victory.
Earlier, there were wins for U.S. star Ben Shelton (10), Novak Djokovic (6), Mirra Andreeva (7), Iga Świątek (8), Liudmila Samsonova (19), Flavio Cobolli (22) and Belinda Bencic to reach the quarters at SW19.
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Grigor Dimitrov forced to retire hurt one set from beating Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon
You could see in his face just how disappointed he was.
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The women's quarterfinals matchups are set too:
Tuesday
Wednesday
In an ever-advancing and innovative technological world, it logically makes sense the All England Lawn Tennis Club has chosen to phase out line judges in favor of electronic line calling (ELC).
At the same time, there is no denying that these line judges are an iconic part of the 148-year history of Wimbledon, and the debate reignited after the ELC issue for Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova against Brit Sonay Kartal yesterday.
The Athletic's Charlie Eccleshare dives deeper on the complex decision below.
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Wimbledon line judges being replaced was ‘inevitable,’ says All England Lawn Tennis Club
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was on the precipice of a fourth-round exit from Wimbledon when he ended up on the receiving end of the absolute worst kind of good luck in sports.
Sinner lost the first two sets, as Grigor Dimitrov put on a sizzling performance of aces, net rushes and all-out attack in the face of a player who has been untouchable this first week in London.
A lightning storm was brewing, ready to remind a tennis world accustomed to the Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz duopoly that this sport still has its vicissitudes. But early in the third set, with the match on serve, Dimitrov hit an ace and seemed to seriously injure his right pectoral muscle.
He collapsed on the court, and grabbed his chest. Sinner made his way around the net and knelt next to his close friend, then helped him to his chair.
“I don’t know what to say, he is an incredible player,” a visibly shaken Sinner said, after Dimitrov came back from some brief off-court treatment and said he could not continue. “I don’t take this as a win at all, this is just a very unfortunate moment to witness for all of us.”
Sinner emerged unscathed from what would have been a shock result in a tournament that has been filled with them from day one. This one would have been different to all the others. This is how and why.
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Grigor Dimitrov forced to retire hurt one set from beating Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon
Gutting for Dimitrov, and the fans on Centre Court.
It was another eventful day at Wimbledon.
If you want more analysis, check out The Tennis Podcast, now part of The Athletic's audio stable.
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The men's quarterfinals matchups are set:
Tuesday
Wednesday
Already, the main lights are off, the grass is being swept, litter collected, and things generally being shut down.
How quickly things move on.
This place was alive only minutes ago!
In the fall of 2023, Iga Świątek joined soccer’s Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in having very wild dreams.
She would train — on grass — seeking the Grand Slam title every player wants.
But how did Wimbledon become a force of tennis nature?
The Athletic writes on the white whale of the sport.
Sinner will be desperate to get his first title on the green stuff at SW19 this year.
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Why Wimbledon is the Grand Slam title that every player craves
There are few players more popular than Dimitrov, who is such a positive, generous soul despite so many heartbreaks during his career. Few as cruel as this one, though.
Completely heartbreaking moment for Dimitrov as he’s forced to retire. He was playing some outstanding tennis. The crowd here are dazed, sad and confused. He leaves the court with Sinner, who now has to return for an interview of a match he was trailing in.
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Jannik Sinner, who technically progresses today, was sporting in his post-match interview.
He said: “He's been so unlucky in the past couple of years. Incredible player, we understand each other off the court too.
“There was a chance he could have played the next round, and he would have deserved it. I hope he has a speedy recovery. Very, very unlucky from his side. I don't take this as a win at all.
“A very unfortunate moment. He has struggled a lot with injuries, having this kind of injury is very, very tough. You can see how much he cares about the sport.
“He is one of the most hard-working players on tour. It's not the end we wanted to see, let's give some applause for him and hopefully he gets better.”
That's it!
Grigor Dimitrov has shaken the hand of Jannik Sinner and the umpire.
Such a dreadful shame, given the fantastic position he was in.
Yep, Grigor Dimitrov has trudged off the court to receive some more medical treatment.
Jannik Sinner wanders over to have a chat to his box.
A brief delay in proceedings now.
I mentioned Dimitrov had to retire hurt from his last four Grand Slams.
Please say that's not about to happen here as Dimitrov receives treatment after feeling his chest having just hit an ace to hold for 2-2.
It doesn't look good for a man who's had more than his fair share of bad luck in his career.
A shame for Grigor Dimitrov, who looks in pain.
Opponent Jannik Sinner saw his issues and came over to offer a consoling word or two. Sporting from the Italian, good to see.
Dimitrov now getting some treatment on his chair between the games.
Sinner looks over, concerned.
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Sinner 3-6, 5-7, *2-2 Dimitrov
A real crowd-pleaser, Dimitrov. The 34-year-old pushes Sinner deep and wide, great return, drop shot, great retrieval, but Dimitrov is one step ahead and plops it away. Too good. Then 30-0.
He has lots of solutions, Dimitrov, lots of shots in his arsenal, and lots of ways to win points. Far from a ‘serve bot’, though he accelerates to 40-0 after a big serve.
Ace! He holds.
Oh no, Dimitrov is down after that serve. He's clutching around his ribs on his right side, his pectoral muscles maybe. Just below his armpit.
Sinner 3-6, 5-7, 2-1* Dimitrov
Big serve, 15-0, then a lovely shot from Sinner, drawing a ‘bello’ from the Italian journalist sat behind me and a brief clap on his racket from Dimitrov.
A risky slice, 40-0. Dimitrov certainly isn't going to go down wondering. He's trying everything which comes into his head at the moment.
And why not? He's two sets up so far playing on instinct!
He's in a great position to capitalise after guessing which way Sinner will go at the net but he flips it into the net, not for the first time. Hold to love.
Whatever impact Sinner's apparent discomfort in his right arm is having, Dimitrov has come to the party.
His serve speed is higher than all tournament and he is attacking the net and forcing the issue more often too.
He played 21 and 25 net points in his two three-set wins to date at Wimbledon this year.
He played 23 in the first two sets tonight.
How Jannik Sinner advanced after an injury to Grigor Dimitrov on day eight at Wimbledon 2025 – The New York Times
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