He thanked his team, friends, family, and his absent girlfriend. "I thank my team.
I thank my friends. I thank my family.
I thank my girlfriend who's not here. But I'm sure she's watching.
I'm thanking everyone who's been with me through that path. The last year has been so difficult.
It's not about winning or losing. It's just about conquering myself and playing tennis just like that today, regardless of the outcome.
Thank you for embracing me. Thank you for supporting me always.
Thank you," Dimitrov added.
During the match, a roof closure in the third set altered conditions.
"I got broken in the first game of the fourth set so that was not a great start," he said.
The closure brought back memories of his injury. "Listen, of course I looked up four or five times.
I was hoping I was going to finish the match before the roof was about to close again.
It was almost like Deja vu. All you can do is just smile at that.
What happened in the past stays there. Embrace what comes next whether it's good or bad.
Today was all about that," he explained.
Dimitrov will next face Italian Matteo Berrettini, who advanced after defeating Stan Wawrinka in a four-hour match. "If nothing else, it's gonna be a pretty match.
I'm looking forward to it.
I'm gonna enjoy right now, rest, and put myself in the best possible way to come back and battle out again.
For now I'm just gonna enjoy and cherish the moment," Dimitrov said.
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Elsewhere, American fourth seed Ben Shelton was eliminated in the first round by Finland's Otto Virtanen, who won 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (8-10), 6-2, 7-6 (11-9).
