ATP tour
A lifetime of net-rushing opponents all adds up to Dimitrov being the ‘Pass Master’
The Bulgarian won 40.6 percent of the points when the opponent was on the net in 2025
January 20, 2026
By Jerome Coombe
When opponents dared to move forward in 2025, Grigor Dimitrov made them suffer. The Bulgarian led the ATP Tour by winning 40.6 percent of points when his opponent was at the net, a remarkable return 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 cut impossible angles, dipping the ball at an opponent’s feet or sliding it past extended volleys.
Dimitrov believes that success is rooted in years of experience dealing with aggressive opponents from a young age, learning early on how to neutralize players rushing across the net.
“When I was a junior, I always played against the older guys [those] “I wasn’t that tall when I was younger, and a lot of them would often come to the net, especially some American players when I played, because they were always playing serve and volley or attacking me.
“So I always liked having goals. I loved it when some of it came through because I was quite agile moving around the field and [could] predict some shots in advance, knowing where I’m going to position the ball to go [an easier] next ball comes back to me.”
It wasn’t just about touch either. Dimitrov remained calm in moments of high pressure and relied on his timing and sense to find passing lanes when the track seemed closed. In a sport where net rushers often expect a reward, he has turned their aggression into opportunity. But how does he decide whether to hit an attempted winner or hit a shot designed to make the next ball easier to pass?
“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 focused on the ball the most, because the ball gives me the information, and then hopefully I can make the right decision.”
Nowhere was that skill more evident than at Wimbledon, where Dimitrov’s efficiency on the court and shotmaking caused even the very best of problems. In the fourth round he surged to a two-set lead at love against eventual champion Jannik Sinner, repeatedly neutralizing the Italian’s forward forays with clean passes and sharp angles. It was a performance packed with control and creativity, interrupted only by a heartbreaking chest injury that forced him into retirement.
That mix of flair and resilience defined Dimitrov’s season. The former No. 3 player in the PIF ATP Rankings and winner of the Nitto ATP Finals also reached the semifinals of the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami, another week in which his ability to absorb pressure and counterpunching with precision stood out among the Tour’s elite.
Points won as an opponent on Net (2025)
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