Two, in different ways, controversial tennis stars clashed in the Wimbledon final and offered drama.
Serbian world number three Novak Djokovic was looking to defend his Wimbledon title (and finish fourth straight and seventh overall) while Australian Nick Kyrgios, ranked 40th in the world, was looking for his first ever grand slam title.
But it was Djokovic who took his 21st grand slam title.
Angered
It was the Australian 27-year-old who, after an even start, took home the first set with 6-4. But 35-year-old Djokovic would soon equalize to 1-1 in sets, after arranging 6-3 against a much more insecure Kyrgios who in the third set then got angry at both the referee, audience and box and was warned after shouting insults.
Djokovic took home the third set with 6-4 – and the fourth set then became a thriller. The players were followed and when Kyrgios slammed with 5-4 in the game, it looked like it could be a fifth set. But Djokovic would take the set in port and won 7-6 after 7-3 in tiebreak and thus the match 3-1.
– He’s a bit like a god. I thought I played well, but … says Kyrgios after the match.
He continues:
– I really need a vacation now. I’m really happy with my result, so we’ll see if I show up here again sometime, he says.
Afterwards, Djokovic paid tribute to his opponent.
– You showed why you deserve to be one of the world’s best players. I wish you all the best, says Djokovic in the victory interview.
– I never thought I would say so many nice things to you considering our relationship but, Djokovic laughs and continues:
– But it is definitely a “bromance”.
Tennisens ”bad boy”
Kyrgios has made himself known as tennis’ “bad boy”, among other things through several outbursts, daring statements (also during the ongoing tournament) and will be brought to justice in August, accused of abusing his ex-girlfriend.
Djokovic, on the other hand, in addition to having topped the world rankings between 2018 and the spring of 2022 on almost a couple of occasions, has attracted attention during the pandemic because he refused to be vaccinated.
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