Wimbledon 2022 LIVE: Novak Djokovic beats Nick Kyrgios to win seventh men’s singles title

Novak Djokovic will contest his 32nd grand slam final and eighth at Wimbledon, where the only player to beat him at this stage was Andy Murray in 2013.

Victory on Sunday would bring him a 21st slam title, putting him ahead of Roger Federer and one behind Nadal.

Despite all his experience, it was Djokovic who struggled with nerves early on in his semi-final against Cameron Norrie before recovering to win in four sets.

“I’m aware of what’s on the line,” said the 35-year-old, who, unless things change, will be unable to play at either the US Open or next year’s Australian Open.

“Every match, every grand slam that I get to play at this stage of my career, there is a lot on the line. I don’t know how many grand slam opportunities to win the trophy I will still have.

“So, of course, I’m approaching it with positive attitude and self-belief and willingness to win.”

Novak Djokovic has the grand slam experience on his side, but Nick Kyrgios can take confidence from the fact he is one of only three players - along with Jiri Vesely and Marat Safin - to hold a winning record against the 20-time grand slam champion from multiple meetings.

They have played twice before, both on hard courts in 2017, with Kyrgios, who is bidding to become the first Australian man to claim a grand slam singles title since Lleyton Hewitt here 20 years ago, winning in straight sets on each occasion.

While he has had his run-ins with both Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the past, Kyrgios has spoken graciously about both this week and has great respect for what they have been able to achieve.

“I don’t think anyone will fill those shoes,” said the Australian. “I feel like if I ever am able to lift a grand slam trophy, please don’t put the pressure on me to do another one.

“The one thing for sure, whether I win or lose on Sunday, I’m going to be happy. It’s such a great achievement that I thought I’d never be a part of. Especially at 27. I thought it was the later stages of my career. But I just never thought it would be right here. I have a chance.”

Novak Djokovic is happy to see Nick Kyrgios living up to his potential by reaching a Wimbledon final, even though he knows the danger that poses.

The Australian had not been beyond the fourth round at a grand slam for seven years prior to this tournament and has spoken openly about his mental struggles and reluctance to fully commit to the sport.

Now ranked 40th, Kyrgios skipped the whole clay-court season to stay at home in Australia but has made no secret of his ambitions at Wimbledon, where he first broke through as a teenager in 2014.

Djokovic said: “In a way it’s a surprise because of his ranking. He has never reached a grand slam final. So maybe not too many people are giving him big chances to reach the finals.

“I think, between us players, we always know how dangerous he is, on grass particularly, because of his game, because of his attitude on the court being so confident, just going for it, being a very complete player.

“It seems like mentally he’s at a better state than where he was some years ago. These are the occasions he loves, where he thrives, in a big stage. So in a way it’s also not a surprise for me that he’s there.

“Honestly, as a tennis fan, I’m glad that he’s in the finals because he’s got so much talent. Everyone was praising him when he came on the tour, expecting great things from him.

“Of course, then we know what was happening throughout many years with him mentally, emotionally. On and off the court, a lot of different things that were distracting him and he was not being able to get this consistency.

“For the quality player that he is, this is where he needs to be, and he deserves to be.”

Kyrgios has won both previous meetings with Djokovic, although they have not played each other since 2017.

Djokovic has yet to even win a set against Kyrgios, with both matches taking place on hard courts.

Kyrgios won 6-4 7-6 in Indian Wells while he also took a meeting in Acapulco 7-6 7-5.

“Yeah, I think it’s just hilarious because, like, I don’t think I’m supposed to be someone like me. Like, I look at that photo, I grew up in Canberra, the courts I trained on were horrible, and now I’m in the chance to play the Wimbledon final.

“I think it’s honestly an inspiration for any sort of kid who’s kind of been outcasted or just been surrounded by negative headlines or negative just clouds or trying to be, like, just being brought down from a lot of different angles.

“I feel like it’s possible, it’s still possible to achieve something quite special if you just believe in yourself. I never really lost belief in myself. I feel like most people around me at some stage in my life have lost belief that I would ever make a Grand Slam final, doubted me a little bit in my behavior or just the way I trained. I think everyone, it’s safe to say. That’s fine they doubted me, but I never lost belief in myself.

“I think that’s just a strong message for any kid who doubts himself. Just keep going. Look at that photo.”

A bromance between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios was the last thing fans expected coming into Wimbledon, but the two players have buried the hatchet and even decided to go for dinner, with Sunday’s final winner footing the bill.

Kyrgios, who has in the past labelled Djokovic “boneheaded” and a “tool”, defended the Serb when he was detained and then deported ahead of the Australian Open earlier this year due to his COVID-19 vaccination status.

Djokovic is seeking his 21st major and seventh title at Wimbledon while Kyrgios is in his first Grand Slam final.

The pair met each other at practice and had a word before taking the conversation to Instagram for their millions of followers.

Djokovic: “It took you five years to say something nice about me.”

Kyrgios: “But I defended you when it mattered.”

Djokovic: “You did, I appreciate that.”

Kyrgios: “We friends now?”

Djokovic: “If you are inviting me for a drink or dinner, I accept. P.S. Winner of tomorrow pays.”

Kyrgios: “Deal, let’s go to a nightclub and go nuts.”

Kyrgios reached the final after Rafa Nadal was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to injury.

Novak Djokovic’s reign at Wimbledon has been built on his ability to read a serve and return better than anyone else in the sport but the six-time champion is expecting a “tough” test against Nick Kyrgios and his unpredictability today.

“I mean, his motion for the serve is so fluid and just very quick,” Djokovic said. “He can hit any angle really. He tosses it forward so he can come in, serve and volley. He puts himself in a great position to be aggressive or to stay back. But he’s always one meter in front of the baseline.

“Yeah, it’s tough to read his serve. I haven’t practiced with him or played with him since the last time I lost to him in, what was it, ‘17 I think.

“On grass I would assume it’s even tougher to read his serve and to return because he has so many free points. You could see that throughout this tournament, as well. He just puts additional pressure on your serve. He moves well. He’s got great hands. So very complete player.

“I guess it’s going to be a game of small margins. I hope I can be at the desired level, then really it’s a mental game in the end, who stays tougher and calmer in the decisive moments.”

Matt Ebden and Max Purcell kicked off what could be a great weekend for Australian tennis with victory in the men’s doubles final over Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic - who played despite having a broken wrist.

The left-handed Croatian suffered the injury during the semi-finals but decided to contest the final despite not being able to hold the racket with his right hand and having to use a single-handed backhand.

Remarkably, Pavic and fellow Croatian Mektic came agonisingly close to successfully defending their title, leading by two sets to one before losing out on a deciding tie-break 7-6 (5) 6-7 (3) 4-6 6-4 7-6 (2).

Pavic said: “It happened during the semi-finals, in the first set. I had a fracture on the bone. It was tough to handle those two matches. It was tough to play. We were close. It’s a bit frustrating. We gave our best, we gave it a fight and I think we can be very proud of ourselves for those two matches.”

Ebden and Purcell, for whom this is a first grand slam title, have lived dangerously throughout their run, playing five-set matches in all but one round.

The Australian Open runners-up saved match points in the first round and then again in the semi-finals, when top seeds Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram led by two sets to love before having five chances to win in the third-set tie-break.

“I thought we were out of here in the first round,” said Purcell. “Three match points. And we just won Wimbledon. How good’s that.”

Ebden praised Mektic and Pavic, saying: “They almost beat us with an injury. We were very lucky to win. That just shows how great a team they are.”

Nick Kyrgios will hope to follow in his countrymen’s footsteps when he takes on Novak Djokovic in the singles final on Sunday.

“I don’t know if I can call it a bromance, yet, but we definitely have a better relationship than what it was probably prior to January this year,” Djokovic said in response.

“But when it was really tough for me in Australia, he was one of the very few players that came out publicly and supported me and stood by me. That’s something I truly appreciate. So I respect him for that a lot.”