Junior Star Dimitrov Leaves French Academy For Swedish Academy

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 27th November 2012

BNP Paribas 2012 Masters Tennis Tournament

Junior Star Dimitrov Leaves French Academy For Swedish Academy

epa03452074 Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria returns the ball to Juergen Melzer of Austria during their match at the BNP Paribas 2012 Masters Tennis tournament in Paris, France, 30 October 2012. EPA/IAN LANGSDON |

For most of the last five years, former junior world no.1 Grigor Dimitrov has been the star pupil at the Patrick Mouratoglou Academy just outside of Paris. However the 21 year-old Bulgarian has decided the time is right for a change and has joined the Good to Great Tennis Academy in Sweden, run by ex-touring pros Magnus Norman, Nicklas Kulti, and Mikael Tillstrom.

Since the French Open, Mouratoglou has concentrated the majority of his time working with Serena Williams, who was introduced to the French academy and its’ owner by Dimitrov.

The actual responsibility of traveling with Dimitrov on the ATP World Tour will fall to Tillstrom but Kulti acted as spokesman for the Good to Great Tennis Academy when he said: “We look forward to the challenge of developing Grigor to new heights to reach his ambitious goals in world tennis.”

Tillstrom reached 15th spot in the ATP doubles world rankings and 39th on the singles before retiring competitively in 2000. Now aged 38, he has previously coached Andreas Vinciguerra, Magnus Norman (briefly) and current Swedish Davis Cup captain Thomas Enqvist.

Dimitrov started the year being coached by the experienced Australian Peter McNamara but then Mouratoglou took over the task full time. When he became more involved with Williams, the player’s father Dimitar stepped into the job but clearly the need is for somebody with ATP experience.

Having ended the ATP competitive year at a career high of 48, a new coaching relationship will hopefully propel him towards the top 30 where many feel he should now be placed.

Mouratoglou announced his best wishes to Dimitrov on Facebook, saying: “All the Academy and myself have loved those years spent working with Grigor Dimitrov. He is a great personality and an unbelievable player. Our ways part sides today. I wish Grigor, that I love, the best in life and in his career. I am sure that his potential and dedication to this sport will lead him very far. Good luck my friend.”