Fireworks of emotions! Kyrgios reaches Grand Slam final for the first time, Djokovic can close Nadal’s lead

They have been enemies for a long time, but it seems they will go into the Wimbledon final in a completely different atmosphere. Two completely different tennis players, two completely different characters. As Novak Djokovic indicated, we can expect fireworks of emotions. Nick Kyrgios, among others, will be playing such an important match for the first time.

Kyrgios is about to play the biggest match of his career

He’s done it. Nick Kyrgios has long been regarded as one of the most talented tennis players on the ATP circuit, but his head has always been his biggest problem. What about it, his game entertains even his detractors, however, all the controversy surrounding his person only hurts him.

And Nick himself knows it. He can beat anybody, but he has to want to and be cool. Stars like Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic know this. Djokovic, whom he will now face in the Wimbledon final, has never beaten him.

Kyrgios has never been further than the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam, and he made it through in 2014 and 2015 (Wimbledon and Australian Open). Now he’s facing the biggest match of his career. In a way, he owes it to Rafael Nadal, who couldn’t make the semi-finals, but it’s a great achievement.

And well deserved. But Kyrgios is controversial and even though he has already racked up a pile of fines at Wimbledon, he is attracting attention and his matches have high ratings. Now, moreover, he has, in his own words, changed his approach, spoken out about some of his past sins and it shows in his performances.

Djokovic may be getting closer to Nadal and Federer

Djokovic goes into the match as a big favourite. He can reduce Nadal’s lead in the number of Grand Slam titles (22 to 20 in favour of the Spaniard). However, the question is in what frame of mind he will enter the match.

As he himself indicated, we can look forward to “fireworks of emotions”. “Nick is playing so relaxed that he has one of the hardest serves on the circuit. Overall, he’s playing great. We haven’t played for a while, but I’ve never won a set against him. Hopefully it will be different now,” he was quoted by the British Metro.

And that Kyrgios is playing a final for the first time? According to Djokovic, it won’t play a big role, as he says he is not a player who makes a big deal out of anything. And while Kyrgios is playing for the title for the first time, Djokovic is facing a record 32nd Grand Slam final, no one else has done it.

For the Serb, among others, it will be Wimbledon final number 7. If he makes it, he will equal the legendary Pete Sampras, one Wimbledon title behind the record holder Roger Federer.

Previously enemies, is it different now?

As with Nadal, for example, Kyrgios hasn’t had the best relationship with Djokovic for a long time. However, when the Serbian was unable to travel to Australia to take part in the Australian Open due to his refusal of a coronavirus vaccination, the Australian stormtrooper was one of the few players who stood up for the Serb.

That too has a part to play in their improved relationship, something the Serb himself has admitted. However, he blamed Kyrgios for taking five lies to say something nice about Djokovic. The Australian then reminded him that he stood up for him, which the world number one said he appreciated.

And in the final, it will not only be about who lifts the Wimbledon winner’s trophy above their heads, but also about who invites whom to dinner. The two have agreed on social media that they will sit down together after the match and the loser will pay for dinner.

Kyrgios, however, confirmed that he is of a slightly wilder nature and even suggested the possibility of going to a club. So it seems we have something to look forward to. They’ll both definitely give it their best shot in the match.

Source: Wimbledon, ATP, Eurosport, Marca