Claims fourth consecutive title at SW19 and 21st Slam
LONDON: Novak Djokovic was the constant. He was unmoved by the talk or the rumble of thunder from across the net; it may have been raining serves and returns, but the top-seed, in the face of the Nick Kyrgios storm, found shelter in his calm.
Djokovic's 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3) win gave him a seventh Wimbledon title, his fourth successive, taking his Grand Slam tally to 21 crowns - one clear of Roger Federer and one behind Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic and Kyrgios, who entertained Centre Court for a shade over three-hours, extended their exchange into the victory ceremony. Kyrgios, sporting a red cap, received the runner-up plate from Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. "Nick, you'll be back," Djokovic told his opponent as he cradled the men's singles trophy. "You showed why you deserve to be with the best players in the world. I respect you a lot. You are an amazing tennis talent. I never thought I would say so many nice things about you. Ok, so it's officially a bromance."
The 35-year-old, who celebrated by chewing a blade of grass, said, "Grass is my first image of tennis. I love this court and it loves me back." Djokovic's daughter Tara, sporting a frock that mirrored the bright skies, joined his wife Jelena for the victory ceremony, as Centre Court cheered the Djokovics wedding anniversary. Their son Stefan was at Aorangi Park locked in a practice set with Bob Bryan's son.
Djokovic's eighth Wimbledon and 32nd major final got off to a tentative start, opening as he did with a double fault. With service speeds of 76 and 81 mph in a fifth game that was drifting dangerously, Djokovic double-faulted when trying to up the speed, handing the break to his opponent. Outside of an underarm serve, a tweener and some delicious shot-making, line smoking, angle nailing strokes, there were no eruptions on Centre Court in the first set which the Aussie served out.
Djokovic meanwhile was slowly changing gears. In the fourth game of the second set, which he won after dragging his 27-year-old opponent back and forth across the baseline before dropping a short ball that didn't just outpace the Aussie it outfoxed him. He then broke Kyrgios in the fifth game.
1/10:Novak Djokovic
<p>Novak Djokovic won a seventh Wimbledon title and 21st Grand Slam crown on Sunday with a four-set triumph over Nick Kyrgios, whose challenge unravelled in frustration after a blistering start. (Getty Images)</p>
2/10:7 Wimbledon titles
<p>Top seed Djokovic won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) to equal Pete Sampras's mark of seven titles at the All England Club and move within one of the men's record of eight held by Roger Federer. (Getty Images)</p>
3/10:Between Nadal and Federer
<p>The 35-year-old Djokovic is now one Slam ahead of Federer in the all-time race and just one behind Rafael Nadal's record of 22 majors. (Getty Images)</p>
4/10:4 successive Wimbledon titles
<p>Djokovic is just the fourth man in the Open era to win four successive Wimbledon titles after Bjorn Borg, Sampras and Federer. (Getty Images)</p>
5/10:32nd Slam final
<p>Djokovic, playing in a men's record 32nd Slam final, was blown off court by Kyrgios who was making his maiden bow. (Getty Images)</p>
6/10:Seventh ace
<p>Kyrgios raced through the first set, breaking in the fifth game and taking the opener with his seventh ace of the contest. (Getty Images)</p>
7/10:The best returner
<p>Djokovic, renowned as the best returner in the game and undefeated at the tournament since 2017, managed to win just five points off the Kyrgios serve. (Getty Images)</p>
8/10:23-shot rally
<p>Djokovic won a lung-busting 23-shot rally in the third game of the second set and immediately broke for a 3-1 lead. (Getty Images)</p>
9/10:Break points slip away
<p>Kyrgios then saw four break points slip away as Djokovic levelled the final by taking his first set off the Australian in three meetings. (Getty Images)</p>
10/10:Kyrgios fuming and swearing
<p>Kyrgios was broken from 40-0 up in the ninth game, fuming and swearing loudly at his team in the player's box. (Getty Images)</p>Djokovic found himself trailing 0-40 when serving to level set scores in the ninth game. Kyrgios' tennis was talking, he sprinted across the court and rolled his wrist for a shot that was beautiful on so many levels, but the Serb still held, after he saved a fourth breakpoint in the game.
Djokovic was playing the human backboard and Kyrgios exploded.
"0-40, 0-40," he screamed from his seat, ruing the lost opportunity. "What pick it up?" Kyrgios asked his box, who were on their feet cheering for him. "Is it pick it up for you?" he thundered.
