WATCH: Grigor Dimitrov effortlessly catches tennis ball with his cap during practice session with Stefanos Tsitsipas ahead of Miami Open 2023
Grigor Dimitrov caught the attention of the media when he smoothly bagged a tennis ball with his cap during a practice session with Stefanos Tsitsipas on Tuesday (March 21).
Dimitrov and Tsitsipas hit the Hard Rock Stadium at Miami Gardens to prepare for the 2023 Miami Open. During their session, Dimitrov caught Tsitsipas' lofted return shot in his cap after slightly removing it from his head.
Tsitsipas also appreciated the effort, as he congratulated Dimitrov after the two players approached the net. Dimitrov even bowed for the camera as he walked back.
Tennis TV took to social media to share a clip of the catch on Tuesday.
"A standing ovation... @grigordimitrov," they captioned their Instagram post.
Both Dimitrov and Tsitsipas have earned direct qualification to the second-round of the Miami Open owing to their seeding. They will commence their campaign on Friday (March 24). However, their opponents are yet to be decided.
Dimitrov endured a second-round exit last time around after falling to Mackenzie McDonald in straight sets (6-1, 6-4) while Tsitsipas crashed out in the Round of 16, succumbing to a 7-5, 6-3 defeat at the hands of eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.
The duo head into the Miami Open on the back of an upsetting Round-of-64 exit at the Indian Wells Masters.
"I've been enjoying it and putting a lot of work" - Grigor Dimitrov content with his performance in 2023
While recent results have been concerning, Grigor Dimitrov is satisfied with how the season has panned out for him so far. The Bulgarian feels that he is doing just the right amount of work and enjoying himself on the court while also trying things out of his comfort zone.
"I've been enjoying it and also putting a lot of work, trying to do things a little bit different than I have in the past, trying to play a little bit more, just get out of my comfort zone a little bit," Dimitrov said in an interview with tennis channel 'We Are Tennis.'
Dimitrov noted that such an approach will help him improve in every department of the game.
"I think it will also push me to be better in every department that I need to improve," he added.
Grigor Dimitrov's best run in 2023 was at the ABN AMRO Open, where he reached the semifinals. He will be hopeful of composing such deep runs in upcoming tournaments.