The Bulgarian government hailed Grigor Dimitrov‘s title victory at the If Stockholm Open on Sunday after the young Bulgarian defeated world number three David Ferrer for the title.
The 22-year old tennis star became the first male player from Bulgaria to win an ATP title. Bulgaria has produced tennis stars in the past which are the three Maleeva sisters – Manuela, Katerina and Magdalena, who have been ranked inside the world’s top ten in the eighties and nineties.
Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski was among those dignitaries who extended felicitations to Dimitrov.
“The Prime Minister expressed the hope that (Dimitrov) will become an inspiration for many young talents in Bulgaria,” the government’s press office said in a statement.
“Grigor’s success in an incredible achievement for our sport,” stated in Standart newspaper.
Dimtrov has garnered media attention in his home nation after he won the Wimbledon and US Open junior titles back in 2008. He’s been touted as the “Baby Federer” due to his similar playing styles with the Swiss tennis superstar. His victory in Stockholm propelled his ranking to a career-high number 22 this week.
Dimitrov is also getting global media attention due to his relationship with girlfriend, Russian tennis superstar Maria Sharapova.
