Grigor Dimitrov hails Rafael Nadal’s magnificent ‘etiquette’

SportsCafe Desk
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Grigor Dimitrov has recalled his intense summer training with Rafael Nadal and was all praise for the World Number 1’s ‘magnificent etiquette’, whose body language remains the same while winning and losing. Dimitrov has managed to reach the semi-finals of the World Tour Finals in his first attempt.

It was earlier this year when Grigor Dimitrov’s coach, Dani Vallverdu, had arranged a week-long joint training regime with Rafael Nadal in Monte Carlo and the World No. 6 had jumped on the opportunity. Both Vallverdu and Dimitrov admitted that the training has given him huge confidence as the season progressed.

“His etiquette is magnificent. Winning, losing, he has the same body language,” Dimitrov told ESPN in an interview.

Nadal is known for his intense warm-ups before matches and Dimitrov was at the end of it during the training sessions where Nadal wouldn’t even allow them to pick up a glass of water before 45 minutes.

“We practised usually in the morning from 9 o'clock to around 12 maybe. Pretty intense practice -- Rafa is an intense guy," Dimitrov recalled.

Dimitrov was not one of the top players on the international circuit until a few years back. But, slowly and steadily, he has climbed from the No. 40 spot to within the top ten in the past eighteen months and his training with Nadal surely worked like a charm.

“Who wouldn't want to practice with the No. 1 player in the world? For sure you can learn from it. It rubs off on you," said the 26-year-old after he defeated David Goffin 6-0, 6-2 to book his place in the semifinals of the ATP Tour Finals.

Dimitrov is now just two wins away from landing the ATP Finals title and ending the season on a good note, as it would land him at No. 3 in the rankings. If that happens, the Bulgarian could be seen spending this offseason with Nadal yet again.

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