Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic was crowned King of Wimbledon for the seventh time and celebrated his 21st title at a Grand Slam tournament. In an emotional and high-class final, the 35-year-old Serb defeated unseeded challenger Nick Kyrgios 4: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4, 7: 6 (7: 3). After 3:01 hours, Djokovic converted his third match point. In the all-time leaderboard for Grand Slam successes, he is only one title behind the 22-time winner Rafael Nadal.
Kyrgios, always associated with the image of the bad boy, also threw himself out of rhythm after a strong start through debates with the referee, spectators and his own supporters. In the middle of the second set and after a break by Djokovic, the Australian showed the first negative emotions, ironically pointing his thumb up towards the stands.
Genius and madness in Kyrgios then alternated at ever shorter intervals, dream shots followed slight mistakes. Kyrgios debated more and more often with referee Renaud Lichtenstein, accused a spectator of having “700 drinks” and received a warning. He ranted increasingly and lost the match. The international press sees the appearance primarily from two perspectives.
Australia
„Sydney Morning Herald“: “Kyrgios may have lost to Novak Djokovic in four sets, but his development in this tournament showed himself what most people have known for a decade: Kyrgios is not just cashier, he is not just a circus clown providing ‘entertainment’ – but he is a world-class player who can win Grand Slams. (…) But will he come back? Was this the culmination of his strange, often tortuous career, or the start of something bigger?”
„Australian Associated Press“: “Nick Kyrgios may not make any promises, but he finally feels like he belongs on the big stages and can chase the big titles in tennis, even if he is painfully defeated in his first Grand Slam final.”
„The Australian“: “Kyrgios is losing the war… against himself.”
„The Guardian Australia“: “Kyrgios marched through these two weeks like a difficult guest at a community festival. The hat. The lamentation. The endless back and forth with the spectators (…). There is a Chinese proverb that says that losers in athletic competitions should rejoice because their opponent is teaching them valuable lessons. For Kyrgios, arguably his best years and who knows, maybe even his own future happiness will be defined by how much he absorbs from this lesson.”
England
„The Mirror“: “Novak Djokovic seals his seventh Wimbledon triumph, Nick Kyrgios scolds his way through a dramatic final. For Djokovic it is the fourth championship title in a row. The Serb has not been defeated at Wimbledon since losing in the quarterfinals in 2017. That is a remarkable record.”
„The Times“: “A masterful Novak Djokovic strikes back, defeating Nick Kyrgios to secure his 21st Grand Slam title. Ultimately, Novak Djokovic’s experience and professionalism are key in a fascinating Wimbledon final against Nick Kyrgios. On the pitch he knows like the back of his hand, he deciphers his intrepid Australian opponent.”
Novak Djokovic is only missing one Grand Slam triumph to catch up with Rafael Nadal
What: AP/Alastair Grant
„The Sun“: “Novak reigns. (…) A Wimbledon final with Nick Kyrgios can never be a quiet, civilized affair. The controversial Australian hothead rants and curses his way to defeat.”
„Daily Mail“: “The best won – and he would have beaten anyone in this safe and brilliant form. Novak Djokovic has snatched the Wimbledon title from Nick Kyrgios with a Zen-like calm. It’s been heralded as a bad boy battle, but there’s little that’s bad about this year’s Wimbledon champion.”
Serbia
“Evening News”: “The absolute ruler of Wimbledon. In the final, Novak defeated Kyrgios 3-1 to claim their fourth straight title. (…) After a year, after last year’s Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic finally won a Grand Slam title again. Meanwhile, he survived Melbourne’s Calvary, missing this season’s opener until things calmed down around him. His fans can now take heart again, largely because of the way he shone at Wimbledon right through to the final.”
“Flash”: “Novak 007. Wimbledon grass tastes best. Novak stuck to tradition, for the fourth time in a row. (…) After the decisive match point, he first went to the net to congratulate his opponent Nick Kyrgios. Then he indulged in tradition (of his own making) and squatted down and ate some grass from the lawn.”
Policy: “The return of the King. Kyrgios took the lead in the fourth set and then game after game continued, neither of them creating a break. Both of them delighted the fans with great plays. The winner had to be determined in a tie-break. The Serb shone in it and deservedly triumphed for the seventh time at Wimbledon.”
