Novak Djokovic claims seventh Wimbledon crown with victory over Nick Kyrgios

Novak Djokovic d. Nick Kyrgios 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)

London: Novak Djokovic has reaffirmed his status as a grass-court great, winning Wimbledon for the seventh time with a victory over Nick Kyrgios and clearing away from Roger Federer on the grand slam ladder in the process.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates beating Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon men’s single’s final.Credit:AP

Djokovic, 35, is equal with Pete Sampras on Wimbledon titles won and is one just more triumph on the London grass away from drawing level with the eight-slam record of Federer, a colossus on grass.

The Serbian’s standing as a tennis great was unquestioned before Sunday’s final – played in hot mid-afternoon conditions – but a fourth consecutive Wimbledon title and an unbeaten record on centre court dating back to 2013 have simply added to evidence.

Djokovic ground his way to victory with composure and patience. In contrast, especially as the match wore on and moved to what seemed the inevitable conclusion of a Djokovic triumph, Kyrgios turned his frustrations variously to his player’s box, the chair umpire and, in one notable exchange, a female spectator who he said had had too much to drink.

Djokovic secured the victory in the fourth set tiebreaker, his unflustered manner proving the difference. A former but long-time world No.1, Djokovic won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) in a compelling match that lasted three hours and one minute.

After match point, a smiling Kyrgios was warm in his congratulations at the net for Djokovic, a sometime adversary but now more of a friend. Djokovic headed to the stands and had strong embraces with his team and his parents.

While Krygios talked and talked on court as time went on, his frustration growing as the match slipped from his fingers, Djokovic simply let his tennis to the talking. At changes of end, the Serbian was a picture of concentration while Kyrgios was busy expending energy in regular exchanges with the chair umpire.

In the early stages, Djokovic dropped one set behind Kyrgios, but that was not a reason to be necessarily surprised nor worried.

Instead, the Serbian piece by piece got on top of Kyrgios, 27, and when he’s eked himself to a winnable at two sets to love up, the chances of a memorable win over five sets for the Australian were remote.

Kyrgios and Djokovic share a moment after the match.Credit:AP

Indeed, the fourth set was very much like the preceding two sets as Djokovic often played the big points better.

For his beaten opponent, the unseeded but dangerous Kyrgios, the past two weeks must be seen as a tournament of gains. His progression to the final was courtesy of a walkover, courtesy of a Rafael Nadal abdominal injury exacerbated in the quarter-finals, but the Australian now easily has managed his best finish at a major.

Immediately afterwards, he donned a red cap on court, a breach of the club’s all-white dress policy, and certain to attract the ire of officials.

“He’s a bit of a god,” Kyrgios said when asked the ongoing question of how to beat Djokovic.

“I’m not going to lie. I thought I played well.”

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios holds his runners-up trophy.Credit:AP

The pattern for gripping tennis and plenty of intrigue was set early in the opening games as both players tested each other out, engaging in rallies of a decent length.

But Kyrgios secured the all-important break in the fifth game to get his nose ahead. It took double fault on break point down however from Djokovic, the second for the game, to ensure it. Kyrgios, with the momentum, was up on his toes and jogging to his courtside chair.

Most importantly, the Australian stepped up next game and consolidated his break, holding to love.

After only 20 minutes, Kyrgios was well-placed at 4-2 and significantly, seemingly unaffected by any potential pre-match nerves. The fabled All England club centre court appeared the most natural place in the world for him to be.

Quirkily, there was a run of 18 consecutive points won on serve, as the grass court games of both players came to the fore.

Stepping up to serve for the ascendancy and the set, Kyrgios was ruthless. He held set points but, having been pushed to deuce, he threw down two big races to close it out.

After 31 minutes on court, Kyrgios led 6-4.

At this point, it didn’t matter much as the idea of Kyrgios winning in three still seemed remote.

Thereafter the reality of Djokovic clicking into gear and getting the job done turned out to be true.

Watch all the action from Wimbledon ad-free, live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Centre Court matches streaming in 4K UHD. Coverage of the men’s final begins on Nine from 10:30pm AEST on Sunday.

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