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!!!!