Seven & hell Oz
Novak’s relief as he secures 7th Wimbledon title and 21st Grand Slam months after nightmare
NOVAK DJOKOVIC admitted his “relief” last night after winning his seventh Wimbledon title – and his first Grand Slam since his January deportation from Australia. The super Serb joined fellow legends Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer in winning four consecutive Wimbledon titles. Aussie opponent Nick Kygrios was hit with a fine for swearing in front of Prince George and Kate after rowing with his entourage and calling for a drunken spectator to be ejected from Centre Court. Djokovic’s 21st Grand Slam title is his first since he was thrown out of
Australia after entering without a vaccination.
His coach Goran Ivanisevic claimed it has been a “very emotional” and “s*** year”.
But the Serbian superstar, who last lost on Centre Court to Andy Murray in the 2013 final, said Wimbledon brings out the best in him.
He said: “It always has been and will be the most special tournament in my heart.
“I’m always very inspired to play my best tennis in London.
“It’s a relief, as well, considering what I’ve been through of course this year. It has been a huge challenge and obstacle for me to overcome emotionally. It adds more value and more significance and more emotions, of course.”
Djokovic, 35, faces an uncertain playing schedule as his anti-vax stance currently rules him out of the US Open while he has a three-year ban from Australia.
He has overtaken Roger Federer’s tally of Major titles for the first time and is now only one behind Rafa Nadal’s record of 22.
He added: “I don’t feel I’m in a rush really to end my career in a year’s time or two year’s time or whatever it is.
“I just want to keep myself mentally sane and motivated to compete with the young guns.”
Djokovic, who celebrated his eighth wedding anniversary with wife Jelena yesterday, gave credit to Krygios – and said he will pay for a dinner with him.
“That’s why he lost,” he laughed. “OK, officially it is a bromance.”
Kyrgios was fined £3,000 for an audible obscenity on court while the loud female fan was allowed to stay after a warning from security. “I’ve been on a couple nights out in my life, and I knew that she had too many,” said Kyrgios.
Djokovic, who will drop to seventh in the rankings as a result of the decision to strip the tournament of points, was happy. He said: “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 here, just seeing balls pass by. But at the end of the day I managed everything pretty well.”