Let’s get ready to rumble
DJOK: THERE’S GOING TO BE FIREWORKS
NOVAK DJOKOVIC is convinced the coolest head will triumph in the baking-hot cauldron of Centre Court today.
But the super Serb predicted ‘fireworks’ in his SW19 showdown with Aussie bad boy Nick Kyrgios.
After beating British No.1 Cam Norrie to reach his 32nd Grand Slam final, Djokovic said: “One thing is for sure, there are going to be a lot of fireworks emotionally from both of us.”
“It’s going to be a game of small margins.
Mental
“I hope I can be at the desired level, then really it’s a mental game in the end, who stays tougher and calmer in the decisive moments.”
Temperatures are set to soar with Wimbledon basking in 30C heat and with Kyrgios in his first Grand Slam final at the end of a roller-coaster fortnight.
He has been rapped for spitting in the direction of a spectator, had run-ins with line judges and umpires alike, and slammed by the greats of Australian tennis for his on-court behaviour.
But he has played some fantastic tennis, too.
Kyrgios said: “I never thought I’d be playing for the actual men’s title. It’s the pinnacle of tennis – once you are able to raise a Grand Slam trophy, what else is there to achieve?
“I’m just super proud and I’m just ready to go.”
One compatriot who has supported Kyrgios is 2002 Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt, who thinks the chaos the 27-year-old brings to the court can make life difficult for even the greatest players.
Hewitt said: “Nick can play with chaos going on. Not many people can.
“We’ve seen at the Australian Open in the doubles when it was a big scene like that, that is when he plays his best tennis.
“His opponents have to be prepared for that.”
Djokovic added: “If you see his career, the best tennis he has played is always against the top guys.
“That’s why we all respect him, because we know what he can come up with.”
This will be the third meeting between the two with Kyrgios 2-0 up on the head-to-head.
But the fact they have not played each other since meeting at Indian Wells in 2017 makes this an intriguing contest.
Walkover
If Djokovic wins, it will be his 21st Grand Slam title – putting him one behind Rafa Nadal, whose withdrawal from these Championships gave Kyrgios his walkover in the semi-final. And Kyrgios is adamant the kind of numbers those two and Roger Federer have notched up will not be repeated for a long time.
He said: “We’ve a great crop of young players coming up but I don’t think myself or those guys are able to fill those shoes.
“We’ll never see a competitor like Rafa again. You’ll never see someone wield a racquet like Roger, so effortlessly.
“You’ll never probably see anyone who just wins and just plays the game just so good as a winner than Djokovic.
“If I ever am able to lift a Grand Slam trophy, please don’t put the pressure on me to do another one. It’s going to be a sad day when they go.”