A lifetime of net-rushing opponents all adds up to Dimitrov being the 'Pass Master'
When opponents dared to move forward in 2025, Grigor Dimitrov made them suffer. The Bulgarian led the ATP Tour by winning 40.6 per cent of points when his opponent was at the net, a remarkable return rate that earned him a fitting label: the pass master.
That number speaks directly to Dimitrov’s artistry. Armed with one of the game’s most elegant one-handed backhands, he repeatedly carved out impossible angles, dipping the ball at an opponent’s feet or threading it past outstretched volleys.
Dimitrov believes that success is rooted in years of experience dealing with aggressive opponents from a young age, having learned early how to neutralise players who rushed the net.
“When I was a junior, I was always playing against the older guys and [those] taller than me,” Dimitrov explained. “I was not that tall when I was younger, and a lot of them were coming to the net a lot, especially some of the American players when I played as they were always playing serve and volley or attacking me.
“So I always liked to have targets. I loved when some of it was coming through because I was fairly agile to move around the court and [could] predict some of the shots in advance, knowing where I’m going to position the ball in order to get [an easier] next ball coming back at me.”
It wasn’t just about touch, either. Dimitrov stayed composed in high-pressure moments, trusting his timing and feel to find passing lanes when the court seemed closed off. In a sport where net-rushers often expect reward, he turned their aggression into opportunity. But how does he decide whether to hit an attempted winner or a shot intended to set up an easier pass on the next ball coming back?
“It’s very difficult to know what you’re going to do, because you just don’t know,” Dimitrov said. “You have a split second to make a decision… So for me, I’ve always focussed most on the ball, because the ball gives me the information, and then hopefully I can make the right decision.”
[NO 1 CLUB]Nowhere was that skill more evident than at Wimbledon, where Dimitrov’s grass-court efficiency and shot-making gave even the very best trouble. In the fourth round, he surged to a two-sets-to-love lead against eventual champion Jannik Sinner, repeatedly neutralising the Italian’s forward forays with clean passes and sharp angles. It was a performance brimming with control and creativity, cut short only by a heartbreaking pectoral injury that forced his retirement.
That blend of flair and resilience defined Dimitrov’s season. The former No. 3 player in the PIF ATP Rankings and Nitto ATP Finals winner also reached the semi-finals at the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami, another week in which his ability to absorb pressure and counterpunch with precision stood out against the Tour’s elite.
Points Won When Opponent At Net (2025)
| Player | Points won (%) |
| 1) Grigor Dimitrov | 40.6% |
| 2) Roman Safiullin | 40.1% |
| 3) Frances Tiafoe | 39.8% |
| 4) Holger Rune | 39.5% |
| 5) Christopher O’Connell | 38.9% |
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