'Baby Fed' Dimitrov has grown up and is in the form of his life

Bulgaria's best shares his feelings on Federer and how finding his identity on court has fuelled his career

- Tumaini Carayol

Grigor Dimitrov was describing his improbable journey from humble origins in Haskovo, Bulgaria, a country with almost no men's tennis heritage before him, to the very top levels of his sport when suddenly he paused:

"I had all these comparisons with Roger [Federer] for so many years," he said, laughing. "Thank you for not saying it. I appreciate it." He did not have to elaborate.

From the moment he emerged on the ATP Tour, armed with excellent athleticism, a large toolbox of shots and a sickly sweet single-handed backhand, the early years of Dimitrov's career were plagued by uncomfortable comparisons and that dreaded nickname: Baby Fed.

It is, evidently, difficult to discuss his beginnings without touching on the subject. "It was flattering," he says of the early hype. "At the same time, I'm really way past that. Even back in the day, I thought it was funny but at some point I was like: 'I would like to establish myself as the tennis player I am, as the person I am.' I think that was one of my goals to keep on going with it. To be: 'OK, this is my day, this is my time to establish myself as this player that has nothing to do with anybody else.'