An opponent ranked No. 40 in the world is the only thing that stands in between Novak Djokovic and a seventh Wimbledon title–21st Grand Slam title overall.
Of course, that hardly tells the real story.
Outside of an all-Big 3 showdown, Djokovic vs. Nick Kyrgios is just about as mouthwatering of a matchup as you can get. That is exactly what the All-England Club will have in store for Sunday afternoon, when the two fiery competitors and somewhat controversial characters collide for the third time in their careers.
Kyrgios has won each of their two previous encounters–and in straight sets, too. The Aussie prevailed 7-6(9), 7-5 at the 2017 Acapulco event and 6-4, 7-6(3) a week later in Indian Wells. Djokovic has never broken the Kyrgios serve and he has generated a grand total of one break point.
Grass won’t exactly give Djokovic a better chance of handling his opponent’s serve, but you have to think a Grand Slam final situation favors the 35-year-old. He has won 20 major titles and is 6-1 lifetime in Wimbledon finals. Djokovic finds himself in another one following victories over Soonwoo Kwon, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Miomir Kecmanovic, Tim van Rijthoven, Jannik Sinner, and Cameron Norrie. The third-ranked Serb hasn’t been at his best and he even lost two sets against Sinner, but he has done enough to advance.
Kyrgios also endured plenty of bumps along the way to championship Sunday. The 27-year-old needed five sets to survive his opener against Paul Jubb before beating Filip Krajinovic (straights), Stefanos Tsitsipas (four), Brandon Nakashima (five), and Cristian Garin (straights). Kyrgios will be well rested, though, because he got a walkover from Rafael Nadal in the semifinals.
“I’m going to take every positive,” the world No. 40 said of his free pass through the semis. “I get to rest my body a little bit. It’s not bad going in there feeling fresh. I had a shocking sleep [on Friday] night, though, to be honest. I probably got an hour’s sleep just with everything, like the excitement. I had so much anxiety; I was already feeling so nervous, and I don’t feel nervous usually.
“I was just restless–so many thoughts in my head about a Wimbledon final. That’s all I was thinking about. I was thinking just playing, obviously imagining myself winning, imagining myself losing…everything. I’ve never been here before, so it’s definitely where Djokovic has the advantage from the get-go. He can draw from experience; he’s done it so many more times. He knows the emotions he’s going to be feeling. I don’t know that; I don’t know anything like that.”
It’s completely true. He had previously been to just a pair of Grand Slam quarterfinals (one at Wimbledon)–none since 2015. Technically he has still never even played in a slam semifinal. Now he is in a final, having previously not been past the third round of any major since the 2020 Australian Open.
“In a way it’s a surprise because (of) his ranking,” Djokovic commented. “He has never reached a Grand Slam final. So maybe not too many people [were] giving him big chances to reach the finals.
“I think between us players, we always know how dangerous he is–on grass particularly–because of his game, because of his attitude on the court being so confident, just going for it, being a very complete player…. These are the occasions where he loves, where he thrives, [on] a big stage. So in a way it’s also not (a) surprise for me that he’s there.
“Honestly, as a tennis fan I’m glad that he’s in the finals because he’s got so much talent.”
Tennis fans should love the matchup and the “fireworks”–in Djokovic’s words–that will be on display, even if they may not love the players involved. Generally considered to be the two main villains of the sport, Djokovic and Kyrgios at least have something in common but their games are completely different. Djokovic may be the best returner in tennis history; Kyrgios is probably one of the two best current servers on tour.
It will be a great contrast in styles, and through two head-to-head meetings Kyrgios’ serve has gotten the best of Djokovic’s return. On grass it could certainly happen again. However, over the course of what could be five sets and on the stage of a major final, intangibles are likely to be a huge factor. By the underdog’s own admission, Djokovic has a big edge in that department.
The top seed should be able to battle his way across the finish line for a fourth consecutive Wimbledon title, but it will likely be much more difficult than many are expecting.
Pick: Djokovic in 5
who ya got?
Kyrgios in 5
N. Djokovic in 5 but I would be happy for N. Kyrgios if he wins.
Hope it’s a good match.
Novak in 4
I think it’ll be Djoko in four or five sets. It’s a big occasion for Krygios, I don’t think he can stay calm especially at the beginning of the match.
Krygios will most likely make lots of errors, so much so that even if he calm down later on during the match, it may be too late for him to push for a win against a veteran like Djoko.
I read about Nick & Novak bromance emerged before this final! I also learned from Nick’s interview that Novak wished to meet Nick in the finals! So it seems both had their wishes come true!
Nick doesn’t have a champion mindset! He is probably all happy for reaching finals and does not have ambition for more! Too bad, as I do think his talent is outstanding but his personality overshadows his great tennis!
Novak will not let this go to 5!
Novak in 4 is my pick
Yea Novaxx in four if not in three. Nick sounds super nervous and this bromance stuffs plays right into the 20 slam second best player of all time. 😛
Yeah, what a shame! I won’t even waste my time watching if that’s the case! I mean this is an important milestone for Nick in his career, he may never get that opportunity again so y not make a match of it?!! I am not sure if he’s the first person of colour to ever make the men”s final at Wimby so it would be nice to c him give it his all, not just succumb to Nole bcoz he feels he does not deserve to be there or being there is enough of an achievement!
I mean Rafa and Roger have a bromance but whenever they met be sure to know it was an all out war!!! Nick would be silly to just relinquish the trophy to Novak here. So hoping for a competitive match at least and may the best man win!
Correction: Kyrios is be the only person of colour since Arthur Ash to make the finals at Wimby. I would like to see him make a serious go of it! 😀
Same. He has serious inner demons stemming from his childhood. He needs to bring his personality and antics or he doesn’t stand a chance if Nole brings his game unchallenged. Nick needs to be his disruptive self without it getting the better of him. Tsitsipas can only blame himself for not complaining to the umpire late in the first set when Kyrgios started his strategic chirping.
It’s a tough call for me for best grass player of all time between fed and novaxx but I’ll give the nod to novaxx given his success despite the crowd being actively against him and not losing on Center court since 2013. Also his success vs federer on grass can’t be ignored.
As for me being a fed/novaxx hater? Lol you do you big Al. I’m not into the personal attacks. The world has too much of that these days.
Hawkeye,
How can Djokovic lose a set to Norrie who was playing club level tennis in the SF if NoVac is so good on grass?
After Nick beat Rafa at Wimbledon in 2014, Rafa has beaten Nick twice in slams in 4 sets – Wimbledo 2019 and AO 2020.
He’s human like Rafa
Yeah hawks. Al specialises in attacking Rafa fans. It’s pathetic.
Yes he has become quite the troll here dredging up all kinds of garbage about and his fans.
Rafa!*
Why dont you discuss some other players for a change then? Im all ears.
Its rather nauseating to see obsessional Rafa Only stuff all the time.
And not being a fan of his game at all , I dont have many positive things to say about him, thats all.
In fact some of the negative comments about the final and one or two other posters staying away have made me realise Im done discussing with you until all that changes.
Hey Al,
You don’t get to define me. I have been watching tennis all my life. I love this sport. I have seen all the greats over the years. Long before Rafa was born I was following the careers of greats who came before him.
So don’t fall back on the cheap shots, like it’s all about Rafa! You criticize any negative thing that is said about other players. Yet you ignore the lies and filth from rabid Novak fans. I had to read on Twitter that Rafa had necrosis of the foot due to over use of steroids. That kind of evil lie. It’s all over the place. So don’t you dare to act holier then thou about negative comments about other players or this final or whatever! Not after the utter trash I have read online.
You don’t know anything about me. Don’t presume to define me out of your own hatred for Rafa and his fans.
I don’t care if you talk to me or not. Especially if it’s more trash about Rafa and his fans.
🙂 A few weeks ago you said you would ignore all my posts then you do exactly the opposite. I dont know how you can read that crap on twitter if its that bad-personally I wouldnt bother – too many more important things to do.
And why wouldnt I say this is a Rafa Only board? It is . Its rare to get a discussion about another player that isnt related (usually negatively) to Rafa in some way.
Defining you ? You saved me the bother, if even if I was interested.
Cheap shots? Thats one of your favourite expressions -in fact you do a fair bit of it yourself.
Anyway, getting back to the topic, what a brilliant final and deserved winner !!!
Oh, I didnt mean to single you out there , Ill not be posting at all unless its a non -Rafa topic.
Nick is getting into his groove now.
That’s a big call. Federer would outclass Kyrgios in a Wimbledon final.
There’s lots of factors you need to take into account.
Their respective ages when they played, the strength of their opponents and the style of play of their opponents.
Records and H2H only tell half the story.
People forget how good Federer was in his heydey.
In his heyday, Federer had no competition.
Thank you! It’s about time someone said it!
Well, what about the competition of the other all time greats- how do you compare with Federer’s in a different era? eg Sampras,Borg? Its not scientific, its highly subjective but then so is being a fan of just one player-which Im not .
One major overlooking on here over Wimby was no mention of the doubles- how many people even knew who was playing? Some of the best comeback tennis Ive ever seen in doubles by the Aussie pair and Im delighted .
And Im looking forward to watching some of the ‘lesser’ players in action this week-there is tennis outside the Big Three
Djokovic has never broken Kyrgios’s serve. Their h2h is 2:0 to Kyrgios.
I love the way Nick is about all biz here!! He needs to keep up this tempo! He may not be able to serve this way ALL match but he needs to keep pressure up on Novak and give him doubts. Now Novak knows he has a match on his hands! Just hope this is not the last set Nick wins!
I wonder how Rafa would have dealt with these serves if he had played in the SF, lol! These serve bombs r the stuff of nightmares!!
Novak”s rallies r off bcoz Kyrios hasn’t given any rhythm yet!
Rafa has breadsticked Nick twice in Madrid and Beijing.
In these rallies Nick needs to be more aggressive even if ball goes out so to put Novak under pressure. He’s playing too safe in rallies especially if it’s on Novak”s serve! Keeping the ball in play is not good strategy there!
Absolutely!
I only just got in. Has Nick been good or Novak bad? Or neither?
I just got in as Novak breaks. Come on Nick! Don’t fold!
Djokovic showing his class there, wow. That was from the top shelf.
He turned the match around in a single game.
Yes bcoz Nick lost focus! He’s paying more attention to barking at his box! Sigh! I knew he would find a way to relinquish the reins!!!!
I c what I mean when I talk about playing too safe? 4 break points and Novak still wins set, tells me everything I need to know! Sigh!
Sigh. 4 break points. One of which was very makeable. Nick is really losing it now. He was getting very tense during those break points.
Hope he isn’t going to fall apart.
Nick’s FH return is so bad
Looks as if Nick is losing it mentally..
reusable comment
Haha yes!
He wastes so much nervous energy shouting at himself and others…
I don’t mind he gets losses about the 0:40 but he has to let it go immediately like Rafa would and focus on set 3!!! 🤣 if he continues to think about it he’ll obviously lose!! He can’t expect Novak not to work hard to win here!!! And he has the cronies on his side so at least there’s that!!
You … want NK to act like Rafa would?!?! Too much tennis. It has addled your mind!
No, no one can “act” like Rafa, lol. 💪🏽 I’m just saying Nic should forget 2nd set and focus on third but……
If Kyrgios had a better ROS he would make life easier for himself.
Nick need to be more aggressive. Rallying with Djokovic from the baseline is asking for trouble.
Kygrios isn’t very fast around the court is he? Other players would have got to and controlled some of the Novak drop shots.
However, he has generally picked his game up from where it was when he was losing it..
Apparently that df was in! Why don’t wimby have electronic line calling?! There are endless bad calls. Especially yesterday.
correct. the announcers have no idea what they are talking about.
I turned it on just now. In time to see Nick having the usual meltdown. I don’t know if I will continue watching.
Nick can’t put lid on it. He just keeps talking and talking. Wasting energy.
I just said that nny!not sure I can watch too much more…
If Nick could calm down he would be able to see that he is serving first. He has a great serve. If he keeps holding he will have his chances.
amy,
Sorry I didn’t see your comment. Yes you did say it! I said I would not watch this match. But curiosity got me to turn it on.
Oh now Novak is yelling. It must be contagious!
I realised you didn’t nny! I only meant it in the sense of great minds think alike 😀😀!!
Ok that’s it I think. Nick isn’t able to play at this level. He is seriously unstable.
I feel quite sorry for him in a way. He simply can’t control himself.
Nick in self-destruction mode! This will be over soon!
Nick will be destroyed if he doesn’t win this match.
He has only himself to blame. One would think he might get a clue that it’s not working.
He’s gone off the boil big time! It’s a shame that he is incapable of controlling himself. It is self-destructive and toxic. You lose your focus and concentration.
Natural talent is just not enough. You need to be strong mentally and play smart. What a waste.
Kyrgios can’t return serve.
Such a winnable match by Kyrios but yet he can’t seem to grab it!! Novak is not even serving great and Kyrios has completely lost his focus!! Sigh, he’s insufferable!!
There was only one person who could have beaten Novak today. And he is in Mallorca.
It’s not just that NK is very very unstable he doesn’t have the game at the highest level.
amy,
Right on! Rafa could have done it for sure.
Nny, I keep seeing NK make a complete hash of shots Rafa would have handled or hit winners off..!
So frustrating!
It’s not just mental with NK. He doesn’t have the game at the highest level.
amy,
I agree with you. He is a poseur. Playing against one of the big three he us exposed. That’s why Rafa has gotten the better of him when they play.
With all the noise, the smoke and mirrors, it just hides the fact that he can’t play the kind of tennis that wins slams.
Amy, absolutely right.
Unfortunately nadline!😠😠
Rafa has now effectively not been able to compete in back to back wimby finals because of injury.
In both cases, Novak hasn’t really been challenged in the final.
Unfortunately, Kyrgios’s serve is not helping him even though Djokovic can hardly return them. Kyrgios himself is terrible at ROS playing from the baseline. he needs to play attacking tennis.
Honestly this is no surprise. This is who Nick is. He is not able to stop this yelling and screaming even when it costs him the match.
Kyrgios is not going to win a slam with temperament like that. He can just lose his temper, gets so furious so easily. He’ll blame everyone except himself for all the errors that he makes or the chances that he couldn’t take advantage of!
Djoko otoh just remains patient and calm, and he knows he will have his chances when Kyrgios starts his meltdowns. Djoko’s rallying skills is top class, Kyrgios is not going to beat him by rallying.
One more set now, and Djoko will have his 21st slam.
Andrew Castle is mindbogglingly annoying. He is a twerp of the highest order…
Nick Kyrgios HAs finally been exposed as a mediocre tennis player. I’ve never subscribed to the idea that he if only he hones in his excessive talents he would be at the top of the game. He is covering up his embarrassment in this match with being disruptive.
It’s all going to be over soon. Mercifully.
I know there no point crying over spilt milk but only if Rafa was playing today!!!! Rafa would have definitely been able to make some serious noise here!!! But alas, it is what it is!! Damn these injuries!! Y Y Y?!!
Eggsactly Mona! I was saying that earlier..!
Kyrgios is all serve.
Nick can’t even take advantage of bps!!! 🙈 What a horrible TB from Nick with a serve like his sigh!!! Oh crap!!
Congrats to me! Commies to Ricky 😛
Oh brother!
Anyway, congratulations to all Novak fans!!! He was the better and more consistent player!!
Now onto USO we go!!! VAMOS!!
Thank God that’s over! I missed the first set Nick won but boy was that hard to watch.
I spent a lot of time reading about politics….
NK simply doesn’t have the game to win at the highest level…
Oh by the way, everyone do enjoy the rest of ure Sunday! See u guys at the games next when Rafa plays!!
#NoRafaNoTennis 😃😃
Enjoy your Sunday Mona!😀
Mona,
LOL! Yes!
#NoRafaNoTennis!
On to the USO!
I’ve got my headphones on very loud listening to GB News so I don’t have to hear any of the platitudes during the presentation.
That’s what Nick used to do coming onto court to filter out distractions
Thank you Amy! 😀
@Nadline 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Me? I’m at my computer trying to meet some deadlines! Done with tennis for the day!
Yet ppl want to complain about oh, it’s time that the big 3 retire!!! Y should they when they can win slams barely breaking a sweat especially in finals against the next gen?!!! I can c Rafa and Novak playing for at least another 2 years at that rate!!!
Yeah it’s all true Mona!
I am done with tennis for the day as well…
C u all, if not before, at the USO final. #23!!😀😀
Vamos Rafa come what may!! 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐
Get rested and heal Rafa!
The USO is waiting!
New York loves you!
Vamos Rafa!
Congrats to Djokovic and his fans for no 21. A GS winner should be someone with incredible work ethic and someone diligent ,someone like kyrgios who hardly practices or is so indisciplined should not be a GS winner.
Still gutted that Rafa missed this . I wanted him to have an oppty to fight for the title ,if he lost post that would be okay.
The race now tightens further 22 vs 21. I hope Rafa gathers it well , Moya n his family give him loads of confidence and his body supports him. The next 4 slams are where it will be decided and i hope Rafa wins atleast 2. God bless rafa. If Novak eventually crosses him,well he deserves it and have to say well done
All rafans ..we have to manifest 23 at uso for rafa ..we just have to.
Pretty solid stuff from Kyrgios today and he mentioned that in the final presentation. I doubt he can do much better than this.
Probably this was Djoker’s best match. Looked solid and apart from a blip at the start, he never gave much of a chance to Nick.
In a tournament where there were hardly good quality matches, this was a worthy final. 62/33 (W/UE) for Kyrgios and (46/17) (W/UE) for Djoker.
Kyrgios returning was ATROCIOUS
He is never known to be a good returner.
But his serving was pretty decent. We have often seen players succumb to big serving folks but credit to Djoker for holding firm. Djoker is nowhere close to the level he was in 2015, 2016 but still this level is way better than rest of the field at least on grass.
Solid stuff from Kyrgios? I don’t think so. The tantrums and verbal abuse have become tiresome. If Kyrgios would put some of that effort and energy into his tennis and lose the histrionics, has chances would be much better.,p
When is rafas baby due anyone knows ? Hope it’s not in the middle of uso (:-
Xisca was already 5 months pregnant when the announcement was made i believe so the bundle of joy will most likely be a USO open title bonus!! Lol!!!!
Like Ricky said Nick’s return game was subpar and still he had more bp chances in a final against Novak (on grass) than many players EVER get! Nick blew it, man!!! Simple!!!
He was too busy screaming and cursing at everyone.
Late Oct-early Nov I suspect
What I want this year
Rafa to win uso and end the year no 1. Do I get both ?
https://mobile.twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/status/1546211602919219201
Novak hoping to play in USA. I feel he will play and will be allowed .USA changing rules at short notice on covid unless ofcourse the pharma cos located in usa put pressure
I would say thats likely the way the covid rules are changing.
There are 4 or 5 people where I attend church have Covid atm. Church service numbers were down today because of infected folks. Grrrrr……
I’m not sure Kyrgios realises how close he was to winning that match. All he had to do was stay focused on his game and continue doing what he was doing. Instead, he chose to self destruct.
If he had the right coach, he’d be clocking up majors left, right and centre.
I saw a bit of vintage Djoko in the final – his serve was especially good; he simply could rely on it to win many points where Kyrgios was simply clueless how to return them.
The final exposed Kyrios’ shortcomings – he just couldn’t run as quickly as Djoko, not just pure speed, but his poor anticipation skills was the main reason; half the time he was clueless where the ball would land on his side of the court.
His ROS was also poor so were his shot selections at times. He was leading 40-0 during his service games and yet had to fight so hard to hold serves despite his powerful serves.
If he could stop his endless complaining, talking to himself, etc, perhaps he would not lose his serve and the set, in set two or set three or even both!
Those hitting between the legs, he just couldn’t control his need for showmanship, even in a serious match that is the Wimbledon final!
His tennis is solely dependent on his instinct, I feel; I doubt he really put in the effort in his training or practice sessions, so when he runs into a difficult situation in a match, he becomes clueless how to respond. I really feel that his tennis is more reactionary than anticipatory, again a sign of lack of proper efforts in training.
I hope he learns from this, imporves his behaviour and we see him in more Slam finals .There were encouraging signs – great speech , and Novaks even better- what a statesman for the game.