Grigor Dimitrov has improved as a pro while the two have been together, Maria Sharapova said.
Sharapova, who has been dating Dimitrov for two years, finds it enjoyable to have a relationship with another player and see his increasing success. "It's just obviously nice to have each other, and even though we have our respective careers and we train, to kind of have other's support is always nice," she told the Melbourne Age.
"I think that he's grown so much in the few years that I've even been with him in terms of his focus and commitment to the sport. Obviously, I've always kind of watched his career grow from the junior days, and to be able to see him stride in the top direction really puts a smile on my face, " she added.
Dimitrov has become fitter and more professional, especially since starting to work with coach Roger Rasheed—he has won won four titles and reached his first Grand Slam semifinal.
"Been working with Rog I think over a year now, and I think we established a really good platform, a work ethic, and I think a good relation," said Dimitrov following a first-round triumph in Australia. "I think all those components in a way are really, really important, especially when you want to have such a close and tight relationship with a coach. It's never easy. But at the same time, I think we sort of found our way of practicing, of scheduling, of doing things in the right way."
Sharapova, in an interview with Daily Mail Australia, also noted that the two pros don't always get to spend a lot of time together, even at the same tournament. "We don't really have that much time during the tournament because our schedules are quite different," she said, adding that they usually get together once play is done for the day. "It's always nice to catch up."