WATCH: Venus Williams asks Grigor Dimitrov all the right questions during Paris Masters interview

Former world No. 1 Venus Williams is always ready to make a bold statement—and this time, she’s even made Grigor Dimitrov blush with one perfectly timed question.

Speaking to Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj after his commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over Alexander Bublik at the Rolex Paris Masters, Dimitrov was going through the motions of a typical post-match interview when Amritraj threw him a curveball. (Video above)

“We don’t do this all the time, but I’m going to pull in a fan question,” he told Dimitrov, grabbing his phone to read out a message from someone he described as ‘a mutual, dear friend of ours.’

“‘Why do I faint all the time when I see you?’” Amritraj read as Dimitrov groaned, instantly recognizing that ‘fan’—none other than Venus Williams—who added: “I think you are the hottest on tour.”

The question got a laugh (and a bit of a blush) out of Dimitrov, a longtime friend of Venus who was also rumored to have previously dated Serena. But that’s all ancient history, and the trio’s friendship is still going strong. As Dimitrov told Tennis Channel in Indian Wells last year, “They are such amazing humans. I have such a great relationship with them and I’m so thankful and grateful every time they’re able to come and cheer me up. They are just amazing.”

In fact, Venus once famously made Dimitrov show off his abs after much teasing during a live streamed gym session in 2020—causing her to hilariously “faint” upon seeing his six-pack.

Dimitrov caught the reference, and had the perfect response to Venus’ fan question: “Dear Venus, we need to do another one of our online (gym) sessions…”

Before that iconic reunion happens, Dimitrov will take on No. 11 seed Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters on Friday. The 32-year-old from Bulgaria has turned heads recently with a string of vintage victories—including a stunner over world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in Shanghai on his way to the semifinals—but says he’s not letting himself get hung up on replicating his past successes.

“It’s very difficult to compare year to year like that,” the world No. 17 reflected. “I think 2017 was an extreme year. I had several amazing tournaments, but I was not as consistent as I would have liked to be…

“I tried to stay focused and keep on believing. Every year I try to have the same attitude when I get out there.”