Grigor Dimitrov backs Rafael Nadal opponents to use cheeky tactic at French Open
GRIGOR DIMITROV has backed Rafael Nadal’s opponents to use the underarm serve against him.
Dimitrov was on the receiving end of a number of underarm serves during his five-set victory against Jared Donaldson at the French Open.
The Bulgarian was caught way beyond the baseline on the first occasion but when Donaldson tried his luck against Dimitrov and won the point.
The tactic is often frowned upon by tennis stars as they feel it is against the spirit of the game - although it is within the rules.
Nadal is notorious for standing way back when returning a serve and Dimitrov thinks it would be a handy tool to use against the world No 1.
I'm sure certain players will maybe try that against him
“Yeah as I said, it's in the game. I'm sure certain players will maybe try that against him or whatever,” Dimitrov said.
“Especially as I said, on that court it's very hard to stay far back.
“If there's also a little bit of a breeze you have to go back, it's - I mean, the ball is jumping over you. That's the only, I think, minus of the court.
“Everything else, the court felt great.
“And I was trying to have, like, also a good distance between me and the ball, because sometimes it's not easy, especially when the opponent tosses the ball.
“It's kind of you lose the ball in the crowd a little bit, so you have to be so focused.
“And everything else is so easy to see during the match, but yeah.”
Nadal is next in action on Thursday when he takes on Guido Pella in the second round.