Australian Open fan favourite Grigor Dimitrov is feeling fit, fresh and ready to fire with a new-look team at his disposal after overcoming the injuries that sent his ranking tumbling.
The former world No.3 endured a nightmare 2025 campaign, retiring hurt at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon to extend a horror streak of grand slam retirements to five.
The Bulgarian finished Wimbledon in tears and missed the US Open during a four-month stint on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a pectoral muscle.
Earlier in the year, a hip issue derailed Dimitrov at the Brisbane International and forced his first-round retirement at Melbourne Park.
But the 34-year-old has returned to Queensland re-invigorated ahead of his 10th appearance at the Brisbane International, confident in his body as he chases his third title.
"At the moment, where I'm at, this would be a dream," Dimitrov told reporters on Monday.
"Every time I'm stepping on the court to compete, (it) is to always do my best and to conquer the tournament.
"I think this time is no different for me."
Dimitrov has arrived in Brisbane early to acclimatise and prepare ahead of the tournament, which runs from January 4 to 11.
"My primary goal is to really make sure that when I get out there on the court that I'm ready to compete and don't have those doubts in my body," Dimitrov said.
"Little by little I'm getting there."
Dimitrov's run of a dozen straight years ranked inside the world's top 30, including a career-best No.3 in 2017 and No.10 last year, is over.
But the three-time major semi-finalist, who reached the last four at Melbourne Park in 2017, has now dropped to No.44 in the world.
"I know that my ranking doesn't really speak for my game right now," Dimitrov said.
"But I believe if I do the right things and stay healthy and the body allows me to push through in the tough moments during the match, I believe good things can happen."
Dimitrov split with long-time coach Daniel Vallverdu earlier this month and has started working with Xavier Malisse, with the pair to ramp up their partnership in the new year.
"I had to almost start from scratch from a coaching point of view and a fitness point of view," Dimitrov said.
"I've kind of reshuffled my whole team but it's a great time for me to do it.
"I'm in a place in my career where I've done very well.
"I haven't had any major changes throughout my career, so I think it was a good time for all that."
