Djokovic and Kyrios, who entertained Center Court for a shade over three-hours, extended their exchange into the victory ceremony. Kyrios, sporting a red cap, received the runner-up plate from Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. "Nick, you'll be back," Djokovic told his opponent as he cradled the men's singles trophy. "You showed why you deserve to be with the best players in the world. I respect you a lot. You are an amazing tennis talent. I never thought I would say so many nice things about you. Ok, so it's officially a b romance."
The 35-year-old, who celebrated by chewing a blade of grass, said, "Grass is my first image of tennis. I love this court, and it loves me back." Djokovic's daughter Tara, sporting a frock that mirrored the bright skies, joined his wife Jelena for the victory ceremony, as Center Court cheered the Djokovic wedding anniversary. Their son Stefan was at Hill Park locked in a practice set with Bob Bryan's son.
Djokovic's eighth Wimbledon and 32nd major final got off to a tentative start, opening as he did with a double fault. With service speeds of 76 and 81 mph in a fifth game that was drifting dangerously, Djokovic double-faulted when trying to up the speed, handing the break to his opponent. Outside an underarm serve, a tweezer and some delicious shot-making, line smoking, angle nailing strokes, there were no eruptions on Center Court in the first set which the Aussie, served out.
Djokovic meanwhile was slowly changing gears. In the fourth game of the second set, which he won after dragging his 27-year-old opponent back and forth across the baseline before dropping a short ball that didn't just outpace the Aussie, it outfoxed him. He then broke Kyrios in the fifth game.
Djokovic found himself trailing 0-40 when serving to level set scores in the ninth game. Kyrios' tennis was talking, he sprinted across the court and rolled his wrist for a shot that was beautiful on so many levels, but the Serb still held, after he saved a fourth breakpoint in the game.
Djokovic was playing the human backboard and Kyrios exploded. "0-40, 0-40," he screamed from his seat, ruing the lost opportunity. "What pick it up?" Kyrios asked his box, who were on their feet cheering for him. "Is it pick it up for you?" he thundered.
During the game, Kyrios alleged that spectators were being hostile to him and requested the umpire to take some action. He was also seen spitting at a fan after the game ended. As a result, he was charged a fine of £8,211 ($14,464.95).
In his third-round encounter against Stefano Tsitsihar, Kyrios was again fined £3,300 ($5813.46) for requesting a new referee and arguing that his opponent must be disqualified.
With Kyrios, there is never a boring moment. He hit 30 aces, including one at 136mph, and an underarm serve in a typically intriguing match against Novak Djokovic, who ultimately proved to be too good for him.
After the Wimbledon finals, Kyrios said he was relieved he did not win the grand event because he feels it would have left him demotivated. Coming back for other tournaments, I would have really struggled. I kind of achieved the greatest pinnacle of what you can achieve in tennis. But my level is right there. I felt like I belonged. I’m just not supposed to be here, he told the Mirror.
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