The experience got the better of the passion. Novak Djokovic beat Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final on Sunday July 10 to offer himself, at 35, a seventh victory in London and a 21st Grand Slam title. Despite a top-flight first set from the Australian, the Serb finally took the lead in four sets (4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 [7-3]).
Magnificent.
In its 100 years, Center Court has seen few champions like @DjokerNole#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/vffvL2f08Q
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2022
With this success, Novak Djokovic is one unit away from Roger Federer’s record at Wimbledon (8 wins against 7). For his part, Nick Kyrgios is not doing as well as Boris Becker and Goran Ivanisevic, the only players to have triumphed in London without being seeded.
The Serb forged his success on his experience and seriousness. Manhandled in the first round, he then knocked down a Nick Kyrgios who, over the course of the match, suffered his own impulses, with leaps of concentration which were fatal to him. Warned during the match, the Australian did not manage the important moments well, like the end of the third set. Leading 40-0 on his serve, at 4-4, he finally conceded the break.
Center Court rises again for one of its great champions
Congratulations, @DjokerNole #Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/RAm2mm56pS
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2022
If Djokovic suffered the lightning services of Kyrgios (30 aces), it was not enough for the 40th player in the world to overthrow one of the masters of the place. For his first Grand Slam final, the Australian delivered a correct score, but could not sublimate. The Serb’s composure therefore made the difference, especially in the last tie-break where Djokovic pushed his opponent to almost grotesque faults.
By winning his seventh Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic leaves Roger Federer alone with 20 Grand Slam victories. Symbolically, it is in the garden of the Swiss, where he won eight of his major titles, that the Serb approaches Rafael Nadal and his 22 crowns. After a failure in the final of the US Open, a ban on playing the Australian Open, an elimination in the quarter-finals against Nadal at Roland-Garros, Novak Djokovic is green again on the grass.
Only, the Serbian star should, according to the current modalities, still wait to perhaps catch up with Rafael Nadal. Refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19, Djokovic is currently not allowed to enter American territory to defend his chances at the US Open in August.