Rafael Nadal has been a huge part of my resurgence… here’s why - Grigor Dimitrov
GRIGOR DIMITROV has credited Rafael Nadal for his recent resurgence in the game.
Dimitrov booked his place in the last four of the ATP World Tour finals in London yesterday after thrashing David Goffin in straight sets - 6-0, 6-2.
The sixth seed has enjoyed a fabulous 18 months, in which he has shot from No.40 in the world rankings into the top 10.
Should he go on to win the World Tour Finals, he would climb into third spot - his highest ever position.
Dimitrov visited the world No.1 - who pulled out of the season-finale on Monday with a knee injury - in his hometown of Mallorca over the summer to train with him.
Reflecting on his experience, he told ESPN: “Who wouldn't want to practice with the No. 1 player in the world?
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Pretty intense practice - Rafa is an intense guy
"For sure you can learn from it. It rubs off on you."
And Dimitrov has lifted the lid on what practice sessions were really like.
He continued: “We practiced usually in the morning from 9 o'clock to around 12 maybe.
“Pretty intense practice - Rafa is an intense guy."
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Dimitrov admitted Nadal did allow some down time to relax.
He added: “He'd say, 'Hey man, let's go on a boat,' so you just go on, jump in the water, just like two kids on a regular day.
“I think we have a good understanding of one another, and it was a great time."
