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
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.