Grigor Dimitrov emerged victorious at the 2024 Brisbane International

Grigor Dimitrov clinched his first ATP title in seven years by defeating top seed Holger Rune at the Brisbane International on Sunday. This victory marks the Bulgarian’s first ATP triumph since his 2017 ATP Finals win and serves as a significant morale booster ahead of the Australian Open. Dimitrov, who previously won in Brisbane and reached the Australian Open semi-finals in 2017, secured his spot in the final after defeating Jordan Thompson, who had ousted Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.

Rune, the 20-year-old Danish player and number one seed, had beaten Roman Safiullin in the previous round, looking to build on his quarter-final appearance at last year’s Grand Slam.

In the final, Dimitrov, 32, showcased his experience and form, narrowly winning the first set in a tie-break. He maintained his momentum in the second set, even after a brief slip, and eventually broke Rune’s serve to lead 5-3. Dimitrov then closed out the match with his eighth ace, capturing the second set and ending his long wait for another ATP title.

Dimitrov emotionally reflected on his victory, noting his longstanding connection with Brisbane. He also shared that his parents had to leave before the final, highlighting the support they’ve provided over the past few weeks.

On the other hand, despite his defeat, Rune remained optimistic about his performance and looked forward to building on this experience at the Australian Open.