Bulgaria's Baby Fed: Interest in Sharapova Affair Privacy Invasion

Bulgaria's best tennis player Grigor Dimitrov suffered a disappointment after crashing out of the Australian Open in the first round on Monday.

Dimitrov, who tennis pundits have been hoping will breakthrough for a while now, came into Melbourne with some promise having reached the finals of the ATP Brisbane event 10 days ago where he lost to Andy Murray.

But the Bulgarian lost to Frenchman Julien Benneteau, who beat him 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 and moved on to the second round.

Grigor however was more than determined in criticizing media interest in his relationship with tennis princess Maria Sharapova, saying it is an invasion of privacy.

"I don't think it's a distraction," Dimitrov said of interest in his personal life. "I just believe I am here to be on the court. I am not here to speak about my private life.

"People love gossip. Who doesn't? But I believe it's a privacy invasion. I don't think that's right. It's not because we're different, but because it's not right to athletes in general. It should be forbidden to even be asked but it is what it is, right?"

"Losses like this are pretty tough," he said. "The loss to Murray was tough for me, I have to say. I felt like I had everything there. Of course you must expect these ups and downs.

"You have to make sure you remind yourself you are going to have brighter days and also trust your instincts. You cannot underestimate that. Some days, you are just going to play bad.

"I didn't serve well, I didn't move well, I didn't play well."

The world number 41 said he was aware of the hype surrounding his career and the impatience among his followers for him to contend for a major championship.

"Next thing you know, you're losing first round in three sets," he said. "It's not the best thing. I just have to keep my head up and try to be good. It is still early in the year."