Wimbledon 2022 LIVE: Novak Djokovic beats Nick Kyrgios to win seventh men’s singles title
The Serbian clinched a seventh Wimbledon crown after four hard-fought sets on Centre Court
Novak Djokovic withstood early brilliance from Australian showman Nick Kyrgios to secure a fourth successive Wimbledon title with a 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6(3) victory on a sun-drenched Centre Court on Sunday.
The 35-year-old Serb stretched his unbeaten streak at Wimbledon to 28 matches as he calmly seized the initiative after being eclipsed in an opening set dominated by the Kyrgios serve.
In claiming a seventh Wimbledon crown, Djokovic took his Grand Slam singles haul to 21, one behind men’s all-time record holder Rafael Nadal.
“Thank you so much, I lost words what this trophy means to me,” Djokovic said. “I said this many times, it’s always the most special one.”
“He’s a bit of a god, I’m not going to lie,” Kyrgios said. “I want to congratulate Novak and his team, you’ve won this championship I don’t even know how many times.”
Wimbledon 2022: *Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 2-2 Nick Kyrgios
Djokovic to serve and a lot of noise in Centre Court.
Kyrgios cutting the court off superbly, takes the first point after vovlleying back into the open court.
Kyrgios teeing off, perhaps conserving energy, but can’t find the line and it’s an easy hold.
Djokovic is looking to win his 28th consecutive Wimbledon match. The record is Borg on 41 , while Federer has 40 and Sampras has 31.
Wimbledon 2022: Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 1-2 Nick Kyrgios*
Thudding serve unreturned from Djokovic at 128mph.
But th Serbian digs in and forces Kyrgios to the net and he can’t pick up the ball, netting. 15-15.
Kyrgios with a straight forward backhand, but it stays low and Djokovic misses it completely. 30-15.
Kyrgios now overpowering Djokovic when he does switch to the forehand to change the pace of the rally. Smart play. 40-15.
A double fault and more shouting from Kyrgios towards his box.
Now he can’t get close to a magic Djokovic forehand, Kyrgios shouting: “Why!? I don’t understand this. Why!?”
ACE! It’s a 15th of the match, just as focus was being lost, game and he leads 2-1.
Wimbledon 2022: *Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 1-1 Nick Kyrgios
Djokovic battling hard here to remain on serve.
He takes it after Kyrgios drives a backhand into the net. 1-1.
Wimbledon 2022: *Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3 Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios still pointing to the person he was upset with in the last game of the second set. 30-40.
Ridiculous returns from Djokovic, Kyrgios crushing the ball and he still gets it back.
It takes a rush to the net and a delicate backhand slice into the open court to put the point away. Deuce.
A whipped forehand from Djokovic than Kyrgios can barely sniff. Shakes his head in disgust.
Wonderful innovation from the Aussie, Djokovic picks up a poorly-played drop shot, but Kyrgios adapts, almost like a batsman defending a yorker, clipping it back into the empty court. Deuce.
Then another fine forehand, working with the spin and Djokovic can’t control it back, it takes the Aussie to advantage.
ACE! “GOOD!” Kyrgios marches back to his chair. The second set saw Kyrgios hit 64 percent of his shots during rallies with the backhands, 36 percent were forehands.
Wimbledon 2022: *Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3 Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios brings Centre Court to its feet, loud cheers after a big pass that sends Djokovic sprawling. 0-30. It’s 0-40 as Djokovic slices one wide.
Huge cheers, this is it for Kyrgios. A big second serve, 15-40, surely Djokovic can’t dig himself out of this hole? And there’s another wasted, Kyrgios smashing it well out, then screaming to the crowd.
Then a third, tamely hit back into the net, “0-40 and you play like s**t”
Djokovic is long! Instant challenge… barely! Advantage Kyrgios and a fourth break point.
Gorgeous sliced drop shot from Djokovic, but Kyrgios is onto it in a flash, he senses he can get there, but it hits the net.
Now a set point for Djokovic, Kyrgios screaming at his team in frustration.
Kyrgios hammers into the net, points to somebody in the crowd after conceding the second set.
Again, “It’s 0-40!”, more screams, “you want a bigger moment!? Not big enough?”
Wimbledon 2022: Novak Djokovic 4-6, 5-3 Nick Kyrgios*
Loud cries of “come on Nick” circulate Centre Court.
Kyrgios goes long in the first point, Djokovic with a small fist pump.
Kyrgios digging deep on his second serve, 119mph. 15-15.
Then a 12th ace of the match, 30-15.
The serve digging himself out of a hole, he holds, Djokovic to serve for the set.
Wimbledon 2022: *Novak Djokovic 4-6, 5-2 Nick Kyrgios
Djokovic delivers a big kicking serve that catches Kyrgios out.15-15.
Then a stunning forehand winner from Kyrgios, 15-30. A chance opening?
Superb serve, unreturned, by Djokovic. 30-30.
A big hold there from Djokovic, whose box are up and fairly animated in celebration. Kyrgios to serve to stay in the second.
Wimbledon 2022: Novak Djokovic 4-6, 4-2 Nick Kyrgios*
Kyrgios taking out some frustration on these serves.
Goes for the second serve a little too much, double faults.
Followed by an unreturned serve and then a whipped forehand off balance. 40-15.
The Aussie holds, a big confidence booster.
Wimbledon 2022: *Novak Djokovic 4-6, 4-1 Nick Kyrgios
ACE, Djokovic dialled in and looking to consolidate the break. 30-0.
But that’s a rare double fault, 30-15. A champion’s response: Right on the postage stamp down the T, unreturned and 40-15.
Where did that come from? Kyrgios pivots and whips a backhand winner from one side of the court to the other. 40-30.
Djokovic challenges what he believes is an ace, it’s comfortably wide. Second serve sees Kyrgios capitalise and look to dominate the rally with his power, he wins the point after two smashes. Deuce.
Kyrgios nets after initially taking control with a backhand off the second serve. Advantage Djokovic.
Kyrgios broken down by Djokovic’s smart baseline play, game!
Wimbledon 2022: Novak Djokovic 4-6, 3-1 Nick Kyrgios*
It’s 0-30, Djokovic smells blood.
Then a beautiful series of backhands, 0-40.
“Too much effort,” screams Kyrgios.
Djokovic breaks! It hits the net and leaves Kyrgios no chance. The Serbian holds his hands up to apologise.
Kyrgios screams in frustration.
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