The collapse of the former world number 3 » Misses participation in Roland Garros after 16 years
Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 7:24 p.m. / Updated Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 7:25 p.m.
Grigor Dimitrov (35 years old, #170 ATP) was eliminated from the first round of Roland Garros qualifications, being defeated by the Portuguese Jaime Faria (22 years old, #117 ATP), score 6-3, 5-7, 6-7(6).
Thus, Grigor Dimitrov misses participation in Roland Garros for the first time since 2010. The former world number 3 is going through a terrible period since the serious injury he suffered in the round of 16 of the last Wimbledon edition, where he had to abandon even though he was leading the world leader Jannik Sinner 2-0 in sets.
Grigor Dimitrov missed participation at Roland Garros for the first time since 2010
Considering the steep drop in the ATP rankings, Grigor Dimitrov needed to pass the qualifications to participate in Roland Garros. However, the Bulgarian tennis player inexplicably lost in the first round, although he served for the match in two sets.
Grigor Dimitrov didn't start the match very well and lost on his own serve in the first game, but at the score of 3-1 for the opponent, the Bulgarian managed an incredible series of 5 consecutive games, thus winning the first set.
In the second act, Dimitrov managed a break at 1-1 and found himself in a position to serve for the match at 5-4, but Faria managed a series of 4 consecutive games and prevailed with the score 7-5.
In the decider, Dimitrov was again the player to break first and again found himself in a position to serve for the match at 5-4, but the set was pushed to a tie-break. There, the Portuguese played much more decisively and prevailed with a score of 10-6.
After the elimination, the audience at the “Suzanne Lenglen” arena in Paris greeted Dimitrov with thunderous applause and a standing ovation.
Qualifying for the main draw at Roland Garros began on Monday, May 18, and the tournament will run from May 24 to June 7.
