Grigor Dimitrov has been shaking up his team in recent times, recently adding David Nalbandian to his coaching setup.
Dimitrov has added Nalbandian to his coaching team as he looks to get back to his very best, having been severely hampered by injury in recent times.
The Bulgarian was limited to just 29 ATP matches last season, with Dimitrov suffering a pectoral injury that forced him to retire hurt against Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon.
Dimitrov missed three months after that retirement but is now back to competing, under the watchful eye of two ATP veterans.
How would you solve the tennis injury crisis?
Grigor Dimitrov issues coaching update on David Nalbandian and Xavier Malisse
Dimitrov hired Xavier Malisse at the start of the season, and has now shared an early update on his progress with his two new coaches.
“I knew them separately, and it also helps when you’ve played against them a few times,” he said, as quoted by the ATP website.
“It’s nice when you can relate to someone that you have played. They have been retired for over 10 years, but it’s also not that long ago.
“At the beginning, when I got into conversations with them, we really started to see things similarly and I could relate to them in terms of the timing of their careers, injuries, game plan, thoughts, and all of that.
“In a way, it happened so naturally. Right now, we are still finding our footing, because it’s very new for all of us, but things are very clear of what needs to be done and how we want to tackle the game.”
Malisse reached number 19 in the ATP rankings and won three titles, while former world number three Nalbandian won 11 titles.
The changes in early 2026 arrive after similar changes during the 2025 season, when Dimitrov parted ways with both Daniel Vallverdu and Jamie Delgado.
What has been the best ATP match of 2026?
Tell us in the comments below!
Grigor Dimitrov trying to find ‘silver lining’ after lengthy injury layoff
Given his unfortunate injury issue and his major coaching changes, his slow start to the season is very understandable.
He has a 1-3 record for 2026, losing his opening matches at the Australian Open and Dallas Open after a win and a loss in Brisbane.
While he’s suffered disappointing results, the Bulgarian should be delighted at playing regularly again after being out of action for so long between Wimbledon and Paris last year.
Sharing insight into his injury layoff, the nine-time ATP champion said: “I had to change things up, whether I liked it or not.
“It was more of the work that I had to do for myself, more from a mental point of view. I had to change a lot of things and that played a little mind game with me.
“It’s normal, though, and I’m trying to find the silver lining. I’d never really been injured or experienced being away from the sport for that long, so it was extremely new.”
| 2026 | Career | |
| 44 | Rank | 3 |
| 0 | Titles | 9 |
| 1-3 | Win-loss | 478-305 |
| $135,165 | Prize money | $31,186,308 |
Dimitrov is currently focused on the Mexican Open in Acapulco, where he is playing both singles and doubles.
He takes on Terence Atmane in the former, having already won his opener in the latter alongside Flavio Cobolli.
Once ranked third on the ATP Tour, the 34-year-old has slipped to 44th, which is again understandable given his recent absence.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
