Djokovic the winner at the Kyrigios show

Novak Djokovic strengthened his case for being the greatest player of all time as he defeated Nick Kyrigios in four sets to become seven time Wimbledon champion, twenty-one time grand slam champion and…world number seven. The bizarre nature of Wimbledon’s ranking less stage this year is to blame for that. In the grand slam race the Serb is now just one behind Rafa Nadal and one in front of Roger Federer. However, with a US Open appearance this year plus Australian Open next year looking unlikely, it’s difficult to see him going top of that race any time soon.

At 2:00 pm on a glorious Sunday afternoon, Kyrigios strolled onto centre court while Djokovic walked with authority, both vying for a title at the epi-centre of tennis. If a tad of anxiety had been lingering the world no.7 you could hardly blame him after all, the head-to-head record showed that he had lost both previous encounters with Kyrigios and not even managed a set. A bit of context is important as they both came in the difficult year of 2017 where he looked a shadow of himself, plus none had came in the prestigious Grand Slams events.

There is no player in world tennis like Nicholas Hilmy Kyrigios. While some claim he is “bad for the game”, the viewing stats do say otherwise, plus a general excitement to his style is eye-catching to the majority. An underarm serve and hotdog shot does seem to drive some opponents crazy (I’m looking at you Stefanos Stitsipas), although most do not result to smacking a ball into the crowd inches from a spectators head in all fairness.

Djokovic could’ve let himself get rattled from that side of the game, especially considering the previous bitterness between them, although that was always an unlikely scenario. Plus, after Novak Djokovic’s vaccine fiasco which lead him to be deported from Australia, it was Aussie Nick Kyrigios who was a vocal voice of defence of the pantomime villain online. No matter where you lied in that situation politically you have to respect the courage that was shown the from outspoken Kyrigios against his own nation.

It was the world number 45 who took off to a blistering start, serving aces for fun, stopping Djokovic getting into any rallies. There was a real bounce to his play and he looked in his element. Many had feared that on the big stage in his first grand slam final Kyrigios would crumble at this stage however he appeared to be living up to the billing.

When backs were up against the wall Kyrigios looked a little rattled, gazing around in frustration letting his emotions take over him. The Serb though allowed his steadfast vision to stay intact never taking his eye of the prize. That was how a turnaround took place. Djokovic ajusted his returning position and as a result started to get more balls in that not, which led Kyrigios coming into the net to shorten the points, yet that was far from a succesful strategy.

When a third set commenced it was all guns blazing. At 4-4, 40-0 in Kyrigios’s favour, Djokovic realed off five straight points to snatch the game which left the Aussie visbly rattled. Blaming his team for “relaxing”, you could not help but feel they would’ve been getting the brunt of it no matter what they had did. When the serb took a toilet break he left Kyrigios sitting himself for minutes on end ruminatiting at the throw away job he had just completed. The fourth set was once again tight, as it went to a nail biting tiebreak. Steal and nerves shined through as Djokovic was champion once more.

Djokovic was worthy winner make no mistake of that. however you cannot help but feel that the Aussie’s antics thwarted his own chances of success on the day. Agitated as always on court, but entertaining as well with his hotdog shots it was once more the Nick Kyrigios show. Was he his own worse enemy, or without that fire would he have preformed to a lower standard? You decide.

Djokovic claimed that he will be back, but the question was ; will he? You really hope but wouldn’t bet. As much as he is the outspoken, the more Nick Kyrigios at Wimbledon, the better.