It didn't take long for Novak Djokovic 's walls of tensions to tumble after he beat Nick Kyrgios 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 on Sunday to lift his seventh Wimbledon crown.
This year's decider came with some added spice given the frosty relationship the two have shared in recent years. However, the 21-time major champion had nothing but appreciation for his Australian counterpart after winning his first Grand Slam crown of 2022.
"I never thought I'm going to say so many nice things about you considering the relationship," said Djokovic after winning a fourth consecutive crown at SW19, with the pair having quarrelled via the media in the past. "Okay, it's officially a bromance."
While sports fans may love few things more than a good-natured conflict, the SW19 spectators applauded in unison at Djokovic's assertion. The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, and his son, Prince George, were among those seen clapping courtside.
Legendary broadcaster Sue Barker—who is stepping down after 30 years covering Wimbledon for the BBC —then reminded 'Nole' of a bet between the pair that promised the winner would buy dinner. Djokovic laughed as he pointed to runner-up Kyrgios and said: "That's why he lost!"
The world No. 3—who will drop to seventh on Monday as a result of Wimbledon's ranking points ban—hoped 'this is the start of a wonderful relationship off the court' with Kyrgios. The scenes were a far cry from the more hostile origins or their relationship in 2019.
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It was then that Kyrgios appeared on the No Challenges Remaining podcast and suggested Djokovic "has a sick obsession with wanting to be liked." He also described the Serb's signature celebration as "cringeworthy."
“He just wants to be like Roger [Federer]," added Kyrgios at the time. "I feel like he just wants to be liked so much that I just can’t stand him. Djokovic just rubs me the wrong way, always says what feels like he needs to say and never speaks his opinion.”
Speaking ahead of Sunday's final, the world No. 40 confirmed he and Djokovic now message one another via Instagram and are a lot closer. Having struggled in the court of public perception himself over the years, Djokovic could be the ideal mentor to help Kyrgios on his longstanding quest to put distractions to one side and fulfil his potential.
