LONDON — Novak Djokovic kept his cool in the Center Court furnace against Nick Kyrgios to win his seventh Wimbledon title. When Kyrgios slammed the ball into the net on championship point, Djokovic looked to his team and exhaled massively. The triumph leaves him one place behind Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 men’s singles titles.
In a match in which Kyrgios grew increasingly frustrated with breaks and his own team, Djokovic kept his cool in the freezing temperatures to see off Kyrgios in four sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 ( 3). It was Kyrgios’ first Grand Slam singles final, while it was Djokovic’s 32nd, and in the end experience won out.
Kyrgios cruised through the first set in just 31 minutes to win 6-4, with Djokovic struggling to read the Australian’s serve. But then Djokovic found his rhythm, slowed down a bit and was able to take the second set 6-3 — which turned out to be the turning point of the match.
Kyrgios became visibly more frustrated during the third set and asked the umpire to remove a spectator who he said had “had 700 drinks bro” and was talking to him during a point. Kyrgios also often directed frustration at his team as Djokovic largely kept his cool. He broke Kyrgios in the ninth game and then served to take a 2-1 lead in sets.
The fourth set, after powerful efforts by both players, went to a tiebreak. Djokovic read Kyrgios’ serve to win the third championship point.
The triumph moves Djokovic level with Pete Sampras and William Renshaw with seven Wimbledon men’s singles titles, one shy of Roger Federer’s record. Here’s how the men’s singles final played out on Center Court and how Djokovic kept his cool when Kyrgios lost his.
THE JOKER’S REIGN AT WIMBLEDON CONTINUES 🏆 @DjokerNole wins his 21st Grand Slam title! pic.twitter.com/owXKPOOog7
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 10, 2022
Taming Kyrgios’ serve
Djokovic has a reputation as the best returner in the game for good reason. Man is a machine. But in the first set he really failed to get a handle on Kyrgios’ serve – which included a second ace at 125mph in just the second game of the match. Kyrgios lost just five points on his serve in the first set to advance. It meant Djokovic had lost the first set for the third straight match at Wimbledon – the third time in his career on grass. But Djokovic is adept at turning things around and was soon able to deal with Kyrgios’ serve.
Kyrgios had won both of their previous meetings before Sunday’s final – and Djokovic had just one break chance in those two matches. But he broke Kyrgios once each in the second and third to get a foothold. It was truly remarkable considering that Kyrgios was able to save over 70% of his first serves, but Djokovic was able to handle them in the key moments. That included the tiebreaker when he broke Kyrgios’ serve three times to allow him to serve for the championship.
THIS WILL DO IT! @DjokerNole beat Nick Kyrgios in the tiebreak to win the #Wimbledon Championship! pic.twitter.com/VojQ4mHLN5
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 10, 2022
Fireworks in the third set on center court
Djokovic told us on Friday to expect “fireworks” in this match, and while there were no fiery moments on court between the two players, he didn’t want drama. They spoke of their burgeoning ‘bromance’ in the build-up to this match and there wasn’t really a bad moment between them during the contest, but Kyrgios was still vocal as the match progressed as he paid attention to the referee, spectators and even his own team.
When Kyrgios missed his chance to break Djokovic late in the second set – surrendering three set points – he increased the conversation to his court. He became increasingly frustrated with the way the match was going and the conversation continued into the third set. At one point he said to his box, “I don’t get it! Why?! I don’t get it,” then followed it up with, “I’m going to hit 130 [mph] second serve, that’s what I’ll do.” He then threw an ace. He was also cautioned for “audio obscenity” during that set, all in front of 8-year-old Prince George, who was seated in the front row of the Royal Box next to the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge.
He was also angered by a viewer who said he talked to him during points. He complained to the judge’s spectator, saying: “Why is she still here? She’s drunk out of her mind.”
There was also his own team, who he grew angry with as the third set progressed. “I can’t do anything do you guys care or what? I do not want to. Do you know how hard it is to ace a guy three times?!” This continued in the fourth, with Kyrgios shouting to his court during the tiebreak, “What are you afraid of?!”
It was the third set when the momentum shifted behind Djokovic. Kyrgios’ frustration continued in the fourth with several incorrect line calls going against him and at one point he told the umpire: “You haven’t made one decent cancellation in three hours.”
“It’s officially a bromance.”
-@DjokerNole to @NickKyrgios 😂 pic.twitter.com/QQCZyFDbxX
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 10, 2022
The battle to be the ultimate male GOAT
Djokovic has 21 men’s Grand Slam singles titles, just one behind Rafael Nadal. Nadal has always played down the importance of emerging from that golden generation with the most Slams between him, Djokovic and Roger Federer. But Djokovic has often said he wants to be ahead of the pack. Still, his vaccination position could make things difficult in the next few Slams.
He is currently not allowed to travel to the US because he has not been vaccinated against COVID-19, while Australia issued a three-year ban after he was deported in January. That means he is unlikely to play another Slam until France next year, on his least favorite surface. At the age of 35, judging by his competitors, Djokovic still has a few years at the top ahead of him, but the opportunities to accumulate Slam titles are slowly disappearing.
What is not in doubt is his current hold on the Wimbledon title. Kyrgios had spoken of the importance of experience here – and how, although this is his first Grand Slam final, Djokovic knows every blade of grass and just how to navigate the sport’s biggest event. He said this would give Djokovic an advantage and he was proved right as Djokovic won his fourth title on the bounce.
Djokovic has won his last 39 matches on Center Court, and his winning streak stretches to 28 matches at Wimbledon (both losses in 2016 and 2017 were on Court #1). He reiterated his love for Center Court over the past two weeks and the next time we see him win a Slam could be this time next year. By this point, Nadal will have had three opportunities to stretch into front positions, while Federer could still be in the midst of his comeback.
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