Grigor Dimitrov captures first title in 2,240 days with Brisbane final win over Holger Rune

Welcome back to title town, Grigor Dimitrov!

On Sunday, the 32-year-old ended a title drought dating back to the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals. In a matchup of the top two seeds at the Brisbane International, the second-seeded Dimitrov defeated No. 1 seed Holger Rune, 7-6 (5), 6-4.

"It's been a while since I held one of these," an emotional Dimitrov reacted during the trophy presentation.

The victory cemented the former world No. 3’s first triumph in 2,240 days. He previously finished runner-up on three occasions during that stretch, going more than five years without contesting a final:

• 2017 ATP Finals F: d. David Goffin, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3
• 2018 Rotterdam F: l. to Roger Federer, 6-2, 6-2
• 2023 Geneva F: l. to Nicolas Jarry, 7-6 (1), 6-1
• 2023 Paris Masters F: l. to Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 6-3
• 2024 Brisbane F: d. Holger Rune, 7-6 (5), 6-4

"It's a very interesting, I don't know, era that I'm at. It's like I'm getting a second wind not only in my sport but in my life with the things," Dimitrov said after beating Jordan Thompson in the semifinals.

In earning his ninth career tour-level crown, Dimitrov is projected to rise one place to No. 13 in Monday’s ATP singles rankings. He is looking to get back inside the Top 10 for the first time since October 29, 2018 and has third-round points to back up at the Australian Open (l. to Djokovic in 2023). Dimitrov dropped as low as No. 78 in August 2019 before surging with a US Open semifinal run that year.

Neither Dimitrov nor Rune were able to break serve in the opening set, leading to an unpredictable tie-break. The Bulgarian opened with a 3-0 double mini break after Rune mistimed a backhand and then a forehand. Dimitrov later served it out on his third set point by moving forward to close out an overhead winner.

Rune survived a 24-point game and three break points to hold for 2-1 in the second set. But his opponent would not be denied.

At 3-3, Dimitrov looped a crosscourt backhand pass from the behind the middle of the baseline for 0-30—and arrived at two more break points when Rune’s inside-in forehand was yanked wide. After erasing the first, Rune repeated the same miscue off the serve +1 to get broken, smashing his racquet in frustration.

The Dane staved off a pair of championship points to hold for 4-5, before Dimitrov served it out at love with a finishing backhand drop volley winner. He was presented the champion by Pat Rafter, whose name graces the stadium court arena.