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
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.