Grigor Dimitrov sets unwanted record as French Open retirement continues Grand Slam woes

Ewan West 27 May 2025 6:51 PM

Grigor Dimitrov looks on

Grigor Dimitrov made an unwanted piece of tennis history as he was forced to retire in his opening match at the 2025 French Open.

The world No 17 was leading 6-2, 6-3, 2-6 against 106th-ranked Ethan Quinn on Court 6 at Roland Garros when a thigh injury rendered him unable to continue.

Dimitrov looked on course for a convincing first round French Open win after outclassing the 21-year-old American qualifier in the first two sets.

However, Dimitrov’s level dropped after he sustained an injury during the third set. He took a medical timeout and — after losing the final four games of the set — shook hands with his opponent.

Unfortunately for Dimitrov, being unable to complete matches at Grand Slams due to his body breaking down has become a painfully regular occurrence.

The Bulgarian has become the first male player in the Open Era to retire mid-match at four successive major tournaments.

At the 2025 Australian Open, Dimitrov was forced to retire in the second set of his first round match with Francesco Passaro.

The 34-year-old was also unable to finish his 2024 US Open quarter-final against Frances Tiafoe and his 2024 Wimbledon last 16 clash with Daniil Medvedev due to injuries.

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Dimitrov has now retired during a match an improbable nine times in his 58 appearances at Grand Slam tournaments, with seven of these retirement losses coming at his last 17 majors – starting with the 2021 French Open.

Dimitrov’s Grand Slam retirements

2009 Wimbledon 1R vs Igor Kunitsyn – 6-3, 0-6, 0-3 r.
2012 Wimbledon 2R vs Marcos Baghdatis – 5-7, 1-4 r.
2021 French Open 1R vs Marcos Giron – 6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 0-3 r.
2021 US Open 2R vs Alexei Popyrin – 6-7(4), 6-7(4), 0-4 r.
2022 Wimbledon 1R vs Steve Johnson – 6-4, 2-5 r.
2024 Wimbledon 4R vs Daniil Medvedev – 3-5 r.
2024 US Open QF vs Frances Tiafoe – 3-6, 7-6(5), 3-6, 1-4 r.
2025 Australian Open 1R vs Francesco Passaro – 5-7, 1-2 r.
2025 French Open 1R vs Ethan Quinn – 6-2, 6-3, 2-6 r.

Dimitrov, who was a quarter-finalist at last year’s French Open, has dropped 390 points after his opening round exit at the Paris Grans Slam.

The former world No 3 has dropped from 17th to 19th in the Live ATP Rankings and could slip further depending on how players ranked below him perform at Roland Garros.

Quinn will face world No 103 and lucky loser Alexander Shevchenko in the second round.