Novak Djokovic fended off the impetuous attack by Australian outsider Nick Kyrgios on Wimbledon’s “Holy Lawn” after initial difficulties. As in the semifinals, the 35-year-old Serb lost the first set against Cameron Norrie (Gbr) before picking up speed afterwards. Djokovic celebrated his 21st Grand Slam title with the 4: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4, 7: 6 (3) victory, for which there are no world ranking points, but 2.36 million euros in prize money. The champion got very, very close to Rafael Nadal (Esp), who has 22 Major trophies in his cupboard.
After Djokovic converted his third match point, he knelt down, happily chewed on a blade of grass, fabricated a “diver” and threw kisses at the audience. That’s a tradition.
“Novak is a bit of a god. I want to congratulate him, he deserves this title,” said Kyrgios, who kindly thanked the 15,000 spectators on Center Court. The world number 40. would have liked to have rewarded himself with his first Grand Slam title on his favorite surface, but he wasn’t one hundred percent focused on it. When the match tipped over, Kyrgios began to quarrel – less with himself than with the audience (“Someone talks to me during the rally and has 700 drinks down”) and his support team, who got their fat for practically every failure. Self-reflection looks a little different.
Djokovic mercilessly exploits such periods of weakness and plays his best tennis in tight situations. This was also the case in the tie-break of the fourth set, which went to the now seven-time Wimbledon winner with 7/3.
compliments on the lawn
Anyone who believed that Kyrgios would lose his composure after this defeat was wrong. The 27-year-old left with a smile and on the best of terms with his conqueror. The two literally threw compliments around. “This is the beginning of a bromance,” smiled Djokovic, who had arranged to meet Kyrgios for dinner on social networks. The condition: the winner pays.
With so much harmony, Djokovic almost forgot that he was definitely unavailable on Sunday. The wedding day came first. “I have to get flowers quickly,” said the longtime number one, who reported back impressively after the turbulence at the Australian Open (banned from starting due to the lack of a corona vaccination) and the disappointment in Roland Garros (quarter-final against Nadal).
Incidentally, it was Kyrgios’ first defeat against Djokovic – after two wins on hard court in 2017. “Nevertheless, Nick showed that he is one of the best in the world,” emphasized Djokovic. (Alex)
Source: Nachrichten
