Djokovic finds Wimbledon joy to win seventh crown
Wimbledon provided Novak Djokovic with another important career boost as victory over Nick Kyrgios brought a fourth consecutive title and 21st grand slam crown.
The Serbian has now won seven of the last 11 titles at the All England Club, equalling Pete Sampras’ tally and closing to within one of both Roger Fed er er’ sm en’ s singles record here and Ra fa el N ad al’ s overall mark.
It has been a difficult season for Djokovic but he has once again been able to rely on the lawns of Centre Court to bring the best out of him, and he raised his arms aloft after securing a 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (3) victory.
Having come so close to completing the calendar Grand Slam last year,Djoko vic was unable to bid for a 10 th title at the Australian Open in January following his deportation and has seen Nada ls urge ahead to 22 titles.
“Certainly this year has not been the same like the last years,” said Djokovic. “It has started the way it has started and it has affected me definitelyin the first several months of the year. I was not feeling great generally. Mentally, emotionally, I was not at a good place.
“I wanted to play but, at the same time, when I went out on the court in Dubai, was the first tournament of the year, I just felt so much pressure and emotions happening. I wasn’t feeling myself on the court.
“I realised at that point that it’s going to take some time, that I have to be patient, and sooner or later I will get myself in the optimal state where I would like to be.
“Wimbledon historically has always come at such important stages of my life and my career. I think it was in 2018 when I was starting the year with elbow surgery, trying to work my way back in the rankings, not playing well.
“This was the first slam that I won that served as a springboard for the later US
Open win, 2019 Australian Open. It’s not a coincidence that this place has such relevance in my life and career.
“It’ s a relief, as well, consideringwhat I’ ve been through of course this year. It adds more value and more significance and more emotions.”
Kyrgios’ support for Djokovic over the Australia situation prompted a thawing in their less-than-cordial relationship, with Djokovic joking in his on-court interview: “I never thought I’d say so many nice things about you. OK, it’s officially a bromance.”
35-year-old Djokovic, who will drop to seventh in the rankings as a result of the decision to strip the tournament of points, was happy with his performance, saying: “I think from the baseline I didn’t miss much in those (last) three sets.
“It was part of the strategy obviously playing somebody who is so talented and flashy as Nick, who has one of the best, if not the best, serve that we have in the game. Just so difficult to read his serve.
“He puts constant pressure on his opponents when he’s cruising through his service games. Return was serving me quite well throughout my career. But it was frustrating at times today, just seeing balls pass by.
“We all know what he’s capable of. Plus I lost to him twice when we played against each other. All these things were kind of there present. But I think at the end of the day I managed everything pretty well.”