SYDNEY—Grigor Dimitrov, who lost a tight match to Roger Federer in the quarterfinal in Brisbane last week, said it is possible to beat the top competitors.
No. 1 Novak Djokovic smoked Rafael Nadal, 6-1, 6-2, in the final in Doha last Sunday and won 11 tournaments last year, including three Grand Slams.
“We all know Djokovic is just playing unbelievable tennis right now,” Dimitrov told TENNIS.com. “Everything seems to click for him right now. But you just never know when you're going to get the chance and the opportunity in general. Doesn't matter what tournament you're on or which round you're playing. In a way, anything is possible if you have the will and the faith.”
Australian Bernard Tomic, who reached the semis in Brisbane before losing to Milos Raonic, agreed that Djokovic is on fire.
“Novak, it's just a joke now,” he said. “It's amazing what he's doing. That's the reason why he's the best player in the world. I think even Roger and [Rafael Nadal] are just … when you step on the court against Novak now it's like, 'How can you beat him?' Even Rafa playing that final in Doha, it was amazing tennis to watch, but so comfortable. And [the] score just shows how much Novak is dominating the sport.
"I think he is a different level, Novak, and there is a reason why he's there. I think the other players, there are a little bit more weaknesses. There is a reason why Novak is the best. No weaknesses. I can't think of any. He deserves to be there.”
Dimitrov, ranked 28th in the world, said he came close against the 17-time Grand Slam champion, but wasn’t quite good enough. The Bulgarian reached the 2014 Wimbledon semis, but slumped last season. However, he said he improved during the off-season.
“I'm happy that I played that way,” Dimitrov, who has reached the quarterfinals in Sydney, said. “Of course I'm not happy that I lost, because I thought I had him there for a little bit. I played, I think, an excellent second set. Just small margins, that's how is it on this level. Small margins. I missed one forehand deep and missed the slice, and that cost me the break in the third set. That shows you what it is.
"Overall good performance so far from me, but I'm aiming higher each match.”
Dimitrov added that the young, solid players on tour will eventually beat the so-called Big 4—Federer, Djokovic, Nadal and Andy Murray—and world No. 4 Stan Wawrinka.
“I think we all do,” he said. “Milos, Kei [Nishikori], me, we're just working towards one idea and one goal right now. I think at some point we're going to be great enough to have that.”