Dimitrov reveals strange secret to success in Brisbane

Brisbane International winner Grigor Dimitrov has revealed the bizarre ritual that helped him break a two-year title drought.

Dimitrov defeated Kei Nishikori 6-2 2-6 6-3 at Pat Rafter Arena in Sunday's final to claim his first ATP title since 2014.

The 25-year-old described it as a "big moment" and it may be a signal he is finally ready to join the sport's elite bracket after years of dancing around the periphery.

He revealed an unlikely new habit was behind his triumph in Brisbane: nightly visits to an arcade game parlour in Fortitude Valley, which he said helped balance his state of mind during the tournament.

"It's given me tremendous joy," he said.

"You know, it's something so childish. Every time I was going to bed, I was, like, 'Wow, that feels so good'. It's just something so small.

"That's why I say those, I think, these 10 days that I have been here... I don't remember the last time I felt that good on and off the court.

Victory! Image: Getty

"I don't remember having (so much) fun, but in the same time I was very focused, played quite solid all the matches. Overall, I just felt good."

Dimitrov, who dismissed top seed and defending champion Milos Raonic in the quarter-finals, said he plans to ignore the hype and keep his focus where it has been - on his next match and his next opponent.

"Things have been pretty different lately in the tennis world," Dimitrov said.

"You see people are improving. Younger guys are coming up. So to speak traditional guys are starting to slow down a little bit.

Image: Getty

"We all see that, so let's not shy away from it, but I'm pretty focused on myself right now.

"I'm really going to stay away from all that talk or the commentary because I just want to do things and be with people in a way that makes me happy."

Dimitrov's world ranking dropped to No.40 midway through last year but is expected to improve to No.15 after his fifth career title.