Nick Kyrgios, the enigmatic Australian tennis star, has never been one to shy away from controversy, and his latest reflections on his 2022 Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic prove no exception. Speaking at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh on July 31, 2025, the 30-year-old recounted with a mix of amusement and defiance how he unleashed a barrage of expletives in front of the Royal Box during the high-stakes match, a moment that may have cost him his dream of a Grand Slam title. “When I played in front of the Royal Box at Wimbledon, I was throwing F-bombs,” Kyrgios admitted, his blunt honesty capturing the raw emotion of that Centre Court showdown. The incident, which saw him fined $5,800 for “audible obscenity,” remains a defining chapter in his tumultuous career, one marked by brilliance, rebellion, and unrelenting authenticity.
The 2022 Wimbledon final was Kyrgios’s maiden Grand Slam singles final, a golden opportunity to etch his name into tennis history against the formidable Djokovic. The Australian started strong, seizing the first set 6-4 with his trademark flair, including audacious shots like a between-the-legs flick that electrified the crowd. But as Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, found his rhythm, Kyrgios’s frustration mounted. Trailing 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3), he vented his anger at his player box, the umpire, and even a spectator he claimed was “drunk out of her mind” after consuming “about 700 drinks.” His outbursts, particularly the F-bombs hurled in the presence of Prince George and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, sparked a firestorm of criticism. Social media buzzed with reactions, some fans joking that eight-year-old Prince George got a “masterclass in cursing,” while others decried Kyrgios’s behavior as a disgrace in front of royalty.
“I’m very rough around the edges, and I didn’t really fit the mould for a tennis player,” Kyrgios reflected in Riyadh, embracing his outsider status. “It’s been a struggle to kind of fit in, but now I kind of embrace it. I’m not going to change for anyone.” This defiance has long defined Kyrgios, whose career highs—beating Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2014 at age 19, or holding a 2-0 record against Djokovic—have often been overshadowed by his on-court antics. In 2022, he clashed with Stefanos Tsitsipas, who accused him of having an “evil side,” a claim Kyrgios dismissed with a laugh, calling his Greek rival “soft.” Yet, for all his bravado, Kyrgios hinted at regret, suggesting that if he’d “acted a bit differently,” the Wimbledon trophy might have been his.
Since that fateful final, Kyrgios’s career has been derailed by injuries. A wrist reconstruction sidelined him for all of 2023, and a persistent knee injury forced withdrawals from the 2025 French Open and Wimbledon, marking his third consecutive absence from the grass-court major. His 2025 season has been a struggle, with a first-round loss at the Australian Open to Jacob Fearnley and an early doubles exit at the Citi Open alongside Gael Monfils. Off the court, his personal life has seen upheaval, with a recent split from longtime girlfriend Costeen Hatzi confirmed during an Instagram Q&A in June 2025. “Things happen. I wish her nothing but the best,” he said, reflecting on their “incredible memories.”
Despite these setbacks, Kyrgios remains a polarizing figure whose charisma and candor keep him in the spotlight. His 2022 Wimbledon run, fines and all, showcased his ability to challenge the sport’s elite while staying true to his unfiltered self. “I feel like I belonged,” he said after the final, a sentiment that resonates as he navigates his comeback. As he eyes a return at the US Open, Kyrgios’s story is one of resilience, a reminder that even in defeat, his disruptive spirit continues to captivate the tennis world.
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