Novak Djokovic wins Wimbledon for the seventh time. Nick Kyrgios had his chance but lost control.
Novak Djokovic has successfully beaten back the Australian rebellion at his Wimbledon lawn empire. The Serbian serial winner triumphed in the final over the “tennis villain” Nick Kyrgios and thus for the fourth time in a row at the All England Club. After exactly three hours, the outstanding Djokovic converted his third match point to 4: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4, 7: 6 (7: 3) against the unnerved Kyrgios.
With a total of seven titles in Wimbledon, he caught up with his youth idol Pete Sampras and is only one success behind record champion Roger Federer – he is also approaching the leader in the “eternal” Grand Slam ranking: after Djokovic’s 21st triumph in the 32nd final Rafael Nadal (22 titles) is within reach again.
Djokovic, Federer, Nadal: The dominance of the big three was often overwhelming. In the last 20 years, only Andy Murray has joined this winning trio at Wimbledon. Kyrgios (27) brought the unpredictability back to the final: genius and madness, world class and tantrums are closely related to him. Djokovic feared “fireworks”.
Kyrgios with amazing development in the tournament
But the important stage, Royal Highnesses William, Kate and son George in the Royal Box and the unique opportunity first brought out the serious side of Kyrgios. Nobody played crazy here, the outsider had his nervousness well under control, the first dropout happened to Djokovic: he gave up his serve with a double fault.
The sentence was gone a little later, but Djokovic wasn’t worried about that. In the second round he made his breakthrough: for the first time in the third duel he took Kyrgios’ serve, Djokovic had lost the first two matches in 2017. So he was warned, especially since Kyrgios had made an amazing development in the tournament.
It only took a few days from the super lout who spits on the sacred lawn, insults referees and linesmen and drives opponents mad, to a serious title candidate. Kyrgios collected a $14,000 penalty on this way – but also a lot of experience, even if the semifinals against the injured Nadal were missing as an endurance test.
Djokovic has been unbeaten on Center Court since 2013
But Kyrgios walks a fine line, Djokovic picked up the pace, his opponent shrugged his shoulders. Kyrgios yelled more and more often across Center Court, where Djokovic hasn’t lost a match since 2013 (!). He railed against a bystander who was said to have been disruptive and who looked “like she’s had 700 drinks.” Words were spoken that little Prince George may not have heard very often.
Djokovic stayed calm, he had Kyrgios where he wanted him, he dominated the game, broke after 0:40 to make it 5: 4 and took a 2: 1 lead. Kyrgios looked for the culprits in his box, Djokovic the decision, Kyrgios saved himself with his strong serve (30 aces in total) in the tie-break, Djokovic kept his nerve.
For him it could have been the last Grand Slam title for a long time. He will probably miss the US Open in New York (from the end of August), Djokovic refuses the vaccination and is therefore not allowed to enter the country. Even in Australia at the beginning of 2023, the 35-year-old will certainly not be welcomed with open arms after the court theater this year.