Sport can be cruel somestimes. And, sometimes, it delivers that lesson more than once a day.
Monday was such a day.
First we look at Grigor Dimitrov, the 34-year-old Bulgarian who was once touted as Roger Federer’s heir to the World No. 1. Dimitrov’s career never shaped like many expected (largely because of the Big Four).
On Monday he had a chance to do something incredible: Take down World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the fourth round at Wimbledon.
It was a dominant display by Dimitrov, whose serve and sharp angles troubled Sinner on the grass - a surface he has never been comfortable with.
Dimitrov fought to take the first two sets of the match against Italian. And then, at 1-2 in the third set, sport delivered its first cruel lesson.
After serving an ace to level the set at 2-2, Dimitrov immediately grabbed his right pectoral muscle and fell on the floor. Sinner and the medical staff rushed to his attention before treating him on the sideline.
The roars of Centre Court quickly descended into stunned silence, with Roger Federer looking on as Dimitrov fought back tears. Sinner would be by his side.
Dimitrov ultimately was forced to retire, marking this the fifth consecutive Grand Slam where he had to pull out mid-match because of an injury. He would need his left arm to support his right to shake the umpire’s hand.
In another sport on the continent, Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen was forced to pull out of the Tour de France after a nasty crash on Stage 3.
From the video it appears that another cycle had collided with Philipsen, who was wearing the green jersey, who then tumbled over his bike while riding at approximately 61kph (according to the video).
Alpecin-Deceuninck boss Philip Roodhooft described the cyclist’s condition as a “broken collarbone, devastated, a lot of pain”.
In an instagram post, the team said a preliminary diagnosis found that he also suffered at least one broken rib - maybe two - and will require surgery.
It’s a horrible and nearly unimaginable way for Philipsen to exit the Tour. He is one of the most prolific sprint cyclists out there. He was expected to feature heavily feature again this year after winning three stages last year.
It’s hard to find positives when cruelty strikes like this. The only one I can muster (“It could’ve been a lot worse”), feels hollow. And the strange thing is, sport will continue to carry on because that’s the nature of sport.
Sinner will be back on the court Wednesday and the tournament will crown a men’s champion Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Tour de France continues with Stage 4 on Tuesday.
Fitzie’s track of the day: Lucinda, by Suzanne Vega
And now for your links:
The Athletic ($$): “Fabian Otte among five new appointments to Thomas Frank’s Tottenham staff”
Alasdair Gold: “Tottenham will have familiar feeling after Cristian Romero latest transfer update”
The Guardian: “Putellas at the double as rampant Spain hit rain-soaked Belgium for six at Euro 2025”