Analysis: Can Andre Agassi addition prove the difference for Grigor Dimitrov?

In hiring American tennis legend Andre Agassi, Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov has clearly set out his stall for the 2019 tennis season. But will such ambitions be backed up by stellar performances he has often promised but so rarely produced. James Spencer takes a look.
Dimitrov’s Career to date
Dimitrov was once seen as the next big thing in tennis. A future world number one. Future Grand Slam champion. But at 27 years old, “Grisha” as he is popularly known in Bulgaria, or “Baby Fed” as he was once dubbed, has failed to deliver on the early promise so many had foreseen for him.
In 2014, Dimitrov won Queens Club saving match points against Spain’s Feliciano Lopez, then impressively overcoming defending champion Andy Murray at Wimbledon before losing in the semi-finals to Novak Djokovic.
Dimitrov then went into a lull, slipping as low as 42 in the world, and so began a long disappearance into the tennis wilderness before a brilliant fightback in 2017.
His life is often highly publicised away from the tennis court having dated female tennis stars such as Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. He is now romancing with Nicole Scherzinger.
However, such off-court distractions have not helped his tennis. It is this commitment that makes people question whether he can finally win a Grand Slam.
What about 2017-2018?
Dimitrov made the semi-finals of the Australian Open two years ago and nearly beat Rafael Nadal along the way. The tennis he played that day before going down in five sets, suggested he has the quality to win Grand Slam.
The Bulgarian then won the Cincinnati Masters and a first Masters 1000 title in what turned out to be a true breakthrough season.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYGOChyj9L9/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=uvwmn5z41k2h
That year he even went undefeated on his debut at the ATP Tour Finals clinching the biggest title of his career.
The media hype that followed was that Dimitrov was set to dominate the tennis landscape.
However, the opposite happened. His form dipped considerably in 2018 as the former world number three’s ranking plummeted. Subsequently, he finished outside the world’s top 20 and unable to defend his ATP Finals crown.
Australian Open 2019
At the end of last season, Dimitrov began working with Andre Agassi, who is assisting head coach Dani Valverdu, a former mentor of Andy Murray. It will be very interesting to see how this partnership goes.
Agassi, history must record, enjoyed little success in his previous coaching role with Novak Djokovic. The question is, will this time be different?
Although Djokovic didn’t respond to his coaching style, Dimitrov is a younger player and that may make him easier to coach. If he is willing to put in the hard work.
Dimitrov has made the fourth round with relative ease and will face a tough showdown against American Frances Tiafoe.
The Bulgarian has a relatively clear path to the quarter-finals, though, where he could play the man that so narrowly ended his hopes of a first Grand Slam final two years ago, Rafael Nadal.
You never know, but this tournament may have come too soon for Dimitrov.
The Clay Court Season:
This is Dimitrov’s least favourite surface. There are other clay court specialists like Alexander Zverev, David Goffin, Nadal and Thiem that are much stronger than Dimitrov on the red dirt, so it may be too big an ask, even with Agassi in his team, for him to compete with the best on clay this soon, or indeed ever.
Grass Court Season:
Dimitrov has long been hailed as a future Wimbledon champion. The way he moves and glides across the grass, with a similar playing style to Federer, means he cannot be underestimated.
If some of the top four crash out early, he could definitely mount a challenge at Wimbledon and possibly win it one day. Should he hit any kind of form going into a summer, Dimitrov will rightly be at the top of everyone’s ‘dark horses’ list.
American Summer Stretch
Dimitrov is proven on the hard courts but many players are equally as good if not better equipped on the surface.
By the time the US Open swings around this year, it will be clearer if Agassi’s methods are successful and bear fruit. However, Wimbledon is still Dimitrov’s best shot at a Grand Slam.
Verdict
Dimitrov needs to dramatically improve on his dismal 2018 campaign. He will be hoping that Agassi’s champion mentality is ingrained quickly but everything is on the Bulgarian to deliver.
Clearly the jury’s out on whether he has the commitment to finally win a Grand Slam, but Dimitrov’s attempts at a resurgence under the guidance of Agassi promises to be one of the most watchable sub-plots of the season.
James Spencer
Twitter: @JamesTennis17
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Johnny Nic: Don’t subject Andy Murray to mawkishly undignified Wimbledon send-off
-
Exclusive: Psychologist Paul McKenna reveals Andy Murray’s biggest asset
-
EXCLUSIVE: Annabel Croft tips Novak Djokovic to dominate tennis in 2019
-
Quiz! Test your knowledge on the history of the Australian Open
-
T365 Recall: 2009 Australian Open final featuring Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
-
Latest
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer welcomes world No 1 Iga Swiatek and Ben Shelton to the On team
Roger Federer is thrilled to welcome two generational talents to On apparel.
-
WTA Tour
Monica Seles sees herself in Naomi Osaka
Monica Seles is hopeful that Naomi Osaka will return to tennis after the birth of her first child.
-
News
Martina Navratilova opens up on cancer battle in emotional interview
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has opened up on her cancer battle.
-
ATP Tour
Miami Open draw: Andy Murray on collision course with Carlos Alcaraz
Andy Murray is lined up with a Round of 32 meeting against world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
-
Tennis News
Naomi Osaka sets out to become a mental health champion
Naomi Osaka is out to hit a winner for mental health.
-
Tennis News
What titles has Daniil Medvedev won?
Daniil Medvedev is a feared opponent on hard courts all over the world.
-
ATP Tour
What does John McEnroe think of Carlos Alcaraz?
Carlos Alcaraz has received the John McEnroe seal of approval.
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev offers mock thanks to Indian Wells court after ‘toxic relationship’
Daniil Medvedev was in good spirits after losing the Indian Wells final.
-
Tennis News
Elena Rybakina finally gets one back in rivarly with Aryna Sabalenka
Elena Rybakina avenged her Australian Open defeat with a championship match triumph at Indian Wells.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz savours ‘crazy’ Indian Wells triumph and return to No 1
Carlos Alcaraz is thrilled to be back on top of the world.