Clare Balding says Sinner owed Dimitrov a slice of £3m Wimbledon win

BBC Wimbledon presenter Clare Balding said defending champion Jannik Sinner should have shared some of last year’s £3 million winner’s cheque with Grigor Dimitrov. Her comment followed Dimitrov’s emotional victory over 15th seed Jakub Mensik on Court 1, nearly 12 months after injury ended his match with Sinner while the Bulgarian led by two sets.

The Full Story

The flashpoint came on Thursday evening after Dimitrov completed a 7-6(5) 4-6 7-5 6-3 win over Mensik. The 35-year-old had returned to Wimbledon on a wildcard after months out injured, and the Court 1 crowd gave him a huge reception as he booked a place in the next round against Matteo Berrettini.

The emotion carried extra weight because of what happened in the same tournament last year. Dimitrov had Sinner two sets down in their last-16 meeting and was level at 2-2 in the third set when he fell to the court clutching his pectoral muscle. He had to retire, left Wimbledon in tears and later faced a long spell away from the tour.

Sinner then advanced through the draw, beat Carlos Alcaraz in the final and collected the £3 million champion’s prize. After Dimitrov’s comeback win this week, Balding linked the two moments during the BBC discussion of his return.

Sinner should have given him a percentage.

The line was clearly rooted in the dramatic contrast between Dimitrov’s heartbreak and Sinner’s eventual title run. It also landed during a wider argument over how much of Grand Slam income should go to players, with Sinner among those pushing for a larger share.

Key Figures

Clare Balding is the BBC Wimbledon presenter who made the remark after Dimitrov’s victory. Jannik Sinner is the defending men’s champion who won his first SW19 title last year after progressing when Dimitrov retired injured. Grigor Dimitrov is the Bulgarian player whose comeback victory prompted Balding’s comment, while Jakub Mensik was the 15th seed he beat and Matteo Berrettini is his confirmed next opponent.

Facts & Figures

Dimitrov’s win over Mensik finished 7-6(5) 4-6 7-5 6-3. Last year, he led Sinner by two sets to love before the injury forced him out at 2-2 in the third set.

Sinner earned £3 million for winning Wimbledon. Separately, a group of players led by Sinner is pressing for 22 per cent of Grand Slam revenue, while the share cited for 2026 had risen to 14.4 per cent. The figures explain why Balding’s joke-like suggestion also touches a live debate about how tennis distributes its biggest tournament income.

What This Means

For British viewers, the moment was less about a literal demand for a private transfer of prize money and more about the emotional memory of a match that changed last year’s tournament. Dimitrov had looked close to a major upset before injury stopped him, so his successful return gave the BBC discussion a clear human angle rather than a simple scoreline.

There is also a broader sporting point. Prize money and tournament revenue are already under discussion, and players are seeking a bigger Grand Slam share. Balding’s comment did not create that dispute, but it arrived at a moment when the sums paid to champions and the percentage returned to the wider playing field are already under scrutiny.

What to Expect

Dimitrov’s next confirmed match is against Matteo Berrettini. The sources do not report any response from Sinner to Balding’s remark, so the immediate sporting focus is on whether Dimitrov can extend his comeback run at Wimbledon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Clare Balding say about Jannik Sinner?

She said, “Sinner should have given him a percentage,” referring to Grigor Dimitrov and Sinner’s Wimbledon prize money.

Why did Balding mention Grigor Dimitrov?

Dimitrov was leading Sinner by two sets last year before a pectoral injury forced him to retire. Sinner later won the title.

How much did Jannik Sinner win at Wimbledon?

The sources say Sinner collected £3 million for winning the men’s title.

Who did Grigor Dimitrov beat this week?

He defeated 15th seed Jakub Mensik 7-6(5) 4-6 7-5 6-3 on Court 1.

Who does Dimitrov play next?

His confirmed next opponent is Matteo Berrettini.

What share of Grand Slam revenue are players seeking?

A group of players led by Sinner is pushing for 22 per cent, compared with the 14.4 per cent figure cited for 2026.