After Novak Djokovic’s bumpy ride in 2022, he finally found a victory on Sunday, beating Nick Kyrgios and winning Wimbledon in the scorching heat. This victory at the All-England Club puts Djokovic at seven Wimbledon titles, one behind Roger Federer, and this fourth straight Wimbledon title hauled Djokovic’s Grand Slam titles count to 21, one behind Rafael Nadal and one ahead of Federer.
His 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) win over Australian Nick Kyrgios came as a surprise to some as Kyrgios has beaten Djokovic twice head-to-head, but most expected the outcome as Djokovic has a 6-1 record in finals at Wimbledon. After a first-round win for Kyrgios, Djokovic began to dig in. Surprisingly, despite being one of the world’s top rallies winner, Djokovic lost eight of the first 9 rallies. But after that, Djokovic began to dig in, and won a rally. Then another rally. Soon, Kyrgios lost his focus and began complaining to the chair umpire. Afterwards, in his signature celebration of victory, Djokovic pulled up a few blades of grass to munch on, and then kissed the Wimbledon trophy.
This Wimbledon win might be the last title Djokovic will win this year. The Washington Post’s Chuck Culpepper reports that: “Since the USA does not allow noncitizen, nonresident internationals to enter the country without a coronavirus vaccine, and with Djokovic remaining firmly unvaccinated, it appears he will miss his chance to grow his numbers further when the U.S. Open convenes in late August.”
The win highlighted a year that began in an awkward scenario when Djokovic traveled to Australia with a vaccine exemption to attend the Australian Open, but then was deported because of being unvaccinated as the tournament began. Afterwards, Djokovic went on to win a tournament in Rome but he then fell to Nadal in the quarterfinal of the Roland-Garros only one year after his win against Nadal in the same tournament.
His 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) win over Australian Nick Kyrgios came as a surprise to some as Kyrgios has beaten Djokovic twice head-to-head, but most expected the outcome as Djokovic has a 6-1 record in finals at Wimbledon. After a first-round win for Kyrgios, Djokovic began to dig in. Surprisingly, despite being one of the world’s top rallies winner, Djokovic lost eight of the first 9 rallies. But after that, Djokovic began to dig in, and won a rally. Then another rally. Soon, Kyrgios lost his focus and began complaining to the chair umpire. Afterwards, in his signature celebration of victory, Djokovic pulled up a few blades of grass to munch on, and then kissed the Wimbledon trophy.
This Wimbledon win might be the last title Djokovic will win this year. The Washington Post’s Chuck Culpepper reports that: “Since the USA does not allow noncitizen, nonresident internationals to enter the country without a coronavirus vaccine, and with Djokovic remaining firmly unvaccinated, it appears he will miss his chance to grow his numbers further when the U.S. Open convenes in late August.”
The win highlighted a year that began in an awkward scenario when Djokovic traveled to Australia with a vaccine exemption to attend the Australian Open, but then was deported because of being unvaccinated as the tournament began. Afterwards, Djokovic went on to win a tournament in Rome but he then fell to Nadal in the quarterfinal of the Roland-Garros only one year after his win against Nadal in the same tournament.
