Bulgaria's Tennis Star Grigor Dimitrov Crashes Out Early Again, Set to Drop Out of Top 100
Grigor Dimitrov recorded another early exit, losing in the opening round of the Monte Carlo Masters and continuing a difficult start to the season
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Tsvetlana Pironkova of Bulgaria (R) at the net with Venus Williams of the US whom she defeated in their fourth round match for the Wimbledon Championships Monday. Photo by EPA/BGNES
The Mirror
The Williams sisters face suggestions their domination of women's tennis was drawing to a close after they both tumbled out of Wimbledon.
The siblings endured straight-sets defeats, Serena losing to Marion Bartoli shortly before Venus was demolished by Tsvetana Pironkova. It will be the first time since 2006 that neither has won Wimbledon and only the third final in 11 years that will see a different name etched onto the All England Club trophy.
Less than four months ago Serena underwent surgery to remove blood clots from her lungs and the 29-year-old vowed to return stronger from her setback. She said: "I don't know what I would say to those who asked if this is the end of an era. I'm still here. I plan on doing better."
She added: "Absolutely this fires me up for the next year. Next year I'll have less things to worry about.
"I didn't do so well this year, so I have no points to defend. It will just be good."
The last time the pair tumbled out of a tournament on the same day was the 2008 French Open, leaving Venus to lament a disappointing afternoon.
"This was definitely not our best day. We both envisioned seeing this day going a little bit differently," she said.
"We both want each other to win but unfortunately we weren't able to. We rarely lose on the same day.
"These matches you have to go out and win. No-one gives it to you. It's very competitive nowadays.
"If you don't come out serving and running and hitting the ball in the court, which is quite important, then you're not going to win the match."
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Bulgarians have benefited a lot from their EU membership, with incomes rising and Brussels overseeing politicians, according to a New York Times piece.
German businesses prefer to trade with Bulgaria rather than invest into the country, an article on DW Bulgaria's website argues.
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President-elect Rumen Radev "struck a chord with voters by attacking the status quo and stressing issues like national security and migration," AFP agency writes after the presidential vote on Sunday.
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