Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios practiced at Wimbledon a couple of times
Nick Kyrgios is still not ready to compete following knee and wrist issues. However, the Aussie was happy to share the practice court with Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, with two good friends embracing a light practice session at Aorangi Park. Djokovic and Kyrgios had great fun on the court, going for trick shots and joking around. They even helped boys and girls to uncover the courts following a rain delay. Nick has played only one match since October 2022, undergoing knee surgery in January 2023 and adding another on his wrist in September. Kyrgios played his first Major final against Djokovic at Wimbledon two years ago before winning the title in Washington a few weeks later. The Aussie fell to Daniil Medvedev in that epic US Open quarter-final and wrapped up the season after Tokyo following knee problems. Nick skipped last year’s Australian Open and underwent surgery.
He returned to action in Stuttgart in June, falling to Yibing Wu in the first match and taking another break. He needed wrist surgery in September, and we are yet to see him competing again. On the other hand, Djokovic seeks his first notable result in 2024 after losing the Australian Open semi-final and leaving Roland Garros earlier than expected. Novak claimed four wins in Paris before withdrawing, citing knee problems and undergoing surgery on a torn meniscus. The Serb recovered within a couple of weeks and entered his 19th Wimbledon, hoping for a good run and passing the opening three rounds. Djokovic and Kyrgios met in the Wimbledon final two years ago, and the Serb prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 in three hours, celebrating his 21st Major title and the seventh at the All England Club. Nick survived a scare in the first round and raised his level. He moved into his first Major final following Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal, chasing glory against the world’s best player.
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios spent quality time at Wimbledon.
Kyrgios fought well in the most important duel of his career, taking the opener before losing the next three, finishing with the runner-up honor. Djokovic defended five out of six break points, serving well after the opener and mounting the pressure on his opponent. Novak broke Nick for the first time in a career in the second set and controlled the pace in the third to turn the tables. The fourth set offered no break chances, and the more experienced player clinched the tie break to seal the deal and lift the trophy. Kyrgios hit more winners but also more unforced errors, while Djokovic tamed his strokes nicely. They stayed neck and neck in the shortest and most advanced exchanges, and Novak earned the win in the mid-range ones. Two rivals served above 70% in the opening set, offering only 12 points to the returners. Nick claimed seven and earned a desired break that sent him in front after 31 minutes.
They held at 30 in the opening two games and produced two comfortable holds for 2-2. Djokovic experienced the first issues behind the initial shot in the fifth game, hitting a double fault and losing serve. Kyrgios cemented the lead with a backhand volley winner in game six and fired four booming serves at 4-3 to remain in front. Novak extended the set with a hold at love in game nine and reached a deuce on the return at 4-5. However, Nick stayed focused and wrapped up the opener with two unreturned serves. The second set started with two commanding holds before Djokovic closed the third game after a 19-stroke exchange. Novak stepped in on the return in the fourth game and landed a backhand crosscourt winner for three break points. The Serb converted the first after a lucky net cord winner, stealing the Aussie’s serve for the first time in a career and moving 3-1 in front. Djokovic closed the fifth game after a deuce and moved 5-2 up following a hold at 30.
Nick extended the set with a service winner in game eight and created three break points in the next one after Novak’s loose strokes. Djokovic denied the opening two with service winners and reached a deuce after the rival’s unforced error. Novak saved the fourth break point with a backhand winner. He converted the set point with an unreturned serve, leveling the overall score after 70 minutes and gaining a boost. The Serb served well in the third set and kept the pressure on the other side. The Aussie saved two break points in the first game, avoiding an early setback and raising his level behind the initial shot in the upcoming ones. Novak locked the result at 4-4 with comfortable holds, and Nick locked well to forge another advantage after three powerful serves in game nine.
Djokovic climbed back and reached deuce with two winners before creating a break chance after Kyrgios’ double fault. Nick missed a backhand, losing serve and falling 5-4 behind. Novak served for the set in game ten and held at 30 with a service winner, opening two sets to one advantage and moving closer to the finish line. The returners had no chances in the opening ten games of the fourth set, and two rivals stayed neck and neck at 5-5. Nick held with an ace in game 11, and Novak introduced a tie break with a hold at 30 a few minutes later. Djokovic landed a volley winner for 2-0 and stole two more return points for a massive 4-1 advantage. The Serb claimed an extended rally at 5-1, earning five match points. Nick reduced the gap to 6-3 with his 30th ace before Novak converted the third match point after the rival’s backhand error, lifting his 21st Major title and passing Roger Federer.