Nick Kyrgios parties at Dolce nightclub after losing Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic
After the Wimbledon final loss to Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios opened up about his new-found belief and motivation. Then, it was straight to the club. WATCH the video.
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Tennis outcast Nick Kyrgios says he finally feels like he belongs at the highest level of the game and is ready to take the next step after striking out at his first grand slam final.
There’s an old saying in sport that you have to lose a final before you can win one and if that holds true, the wild-child of Australian tennis will get his chance next time after coming up short-handed in the Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic.
“I’ve got that under my belt now, a Wimbledon finalist. I can kind of draw from that experience,” he said.
“I felt like I belong. My game has always been there but I’ve just kind of put it together a little bit these couple of weeks.”
Often accused of wasting his talents, Kyrgios admitted that had he won Wimbledon, he might have been unsure about what to do next.
But the heartbreaking loss didn’t stop Kyrgios hitting the London nightclub scene after a gruelling two weeks at the All England Club.
Kyrgios, along with sister Halimah, girlfriend Costeen and his entourage, partied at Dolce nightclub in Kensington.
The Wimbledon runner-up rocked the same red cap made famous during his polarising post-match interviews, while Halimah flaunted expensive bottles of vodka and tequila on Instagram.
Earlier in the week, Kyrgios admitted to once being dragged from a London pub at 4am before facing Rafael Nadal at the All England. Those day, however, seem to be over for the ‘maturing’ star.
Before hitting the town in London, Kyrgios revealed the fact he came so close to winning his first grand slam and didn’t get there, has only fueled his desire to up the ante next time.
“I feel like my fire’s been lit this whole year. I’ve obviously met a lot of amazing people this year who have just given me extra motivation,” he said.
“If I had won today, I would have struggled with motivation because I’ve been told my entire life winning Wimbledon is the ultimate achievement.
“I feel like if I had won that Grand Slam, I would have really struggled because I’d have achieved the greatest pinnacle in tennis.”
Kyrgios had never been past the quarter-finals of a grand slam before making the final this time and said he got caught up by the occasion, struggling with nerves and anxiety.
The feisty right-hander says he’s also learnt a lot of valuable lessons that will help him if he gets another chance.
“My level is right there. I’m not behind the eight ball at all. I played a slam final against one of the greatest of all time,and I was right there,” he said.
“It takes a hell of an athlete mentally and physically to win one of these things. I think eight people have won this title since I’ve been born.
“Physically, it’s one thing, but mentally it’s another beast.
”I feel like I’ve committed a fair bit these two weeks. What more can I do, to be honest?
“I’ve stayed in most of the time. I’ve tried to just get good sleep, eat well. Not even have a beer here or there. I’ve really tried to commit.
“I just came up short.That’s all right, even though it sucks, of course it sucks.
“Playing Djokovic is a hard enough task as it is. To go out there, I feel like I lost this match, but I feel like there’s just a weight off my shoulders.
“I feel like there’s so much weight on my shoulders all the time when I step out on the tennis court, now it’s just released and I feel amazing.
“This is the best I’ve felt the last two weeks.”
‘IT’S OFFICIALLY A BROMANCE’: DJOKER’S SPECIAL WORDS FOR KYRGIOS
In losing the biggest match of his life, Australia’s Nick Kyrgios might just have won something more important.
Foul-mouthed, abusive and arrogant, Kyrgios isn’t ever going to win a popularity contest but after putting his heart and soul on the line and still coming up short, he’s shown that he’s human too.
His 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 loss to Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s Wimbledon final was a humbling reminder of how close, but also how far, he is from greatness.
“He is a bit of a god, I’m not going to lie. I thought I played well,” Kyrgios said.
“Congratulations to Novak and your team, you’ve won this championship that many times I don’t even know any more.
“To all the ball kids, the umpires, I know we have a tough relationship at times so thanks for putting up with it. And (thanks) to the crowd, it has been an amazing couple of weeks for me personally.”
Asked whether reaching his first Wimbledon final had made him hungrier for more, Kyrgios said: “Absolutely not! I’m so tired honestly. Myself, my team, we’re all exhausted. We’ve played so much tennis. I’m really happy with this result and maybe one day I’ll be here again but I don’t know about that.”
Kyrgios defied the doubters - including himself - just to reach the final and allow himself to dream about winning one of the most revered prizes in all sports.
But despite playing brilliantly at times, he was no match for the ruthless Djokovic, who claimed his 21st grand slam title and seventh on the centre court at the All England Club.
There’s no shame in losing to Djokovic, who may end up as the greatest tennis player of all time, so only the most cold-hearted will not feel any sympathy for the Australian.
Once sworn enemies, Kyrgios and Djokovic have only just recently become friends after the Australian spoke out in support of his arch rival when he was deported from Melbourne in January.
Kyrgios joked that they had started a ‘bromance’ and even asked Djokovic if they could go for a meal then clubbing together after the final.
“The winner buys dinner - that’s why he lost,” Djokovic said.
“I don’t know if we’re going to make it happen tonight but this is the start of a wonderful relationship between us. I didn’t respond to the nightclub question because my wife was next to me but let’s start with dinner and drinks.”
Kyrgios may alienate a lot of people who will be gloating over his defeat, but there’s also a whole generation in his corner, rebelling against authority and tradition and wanting to shake things up.
Whether you like his antics or not, he gives them a voice and a champion for their belief that sport needs a new world order.
Warned to be on his best behaviour, he ignored all the advice of his critics and stayed true to himself, constantly ranting and arguing and complaining throughout the match, with spectators, officials, and even his own supporter’s box.
It was ugly and unnecessary, and even embarrassing at times, but is also part of the reason why he’s the most watchable player in the game right now.
He will never be revered in the same way as Rod Laver or Evonne Goolangong or John Newcombe or even Ash Barty, but he’s never asked to be either.
He’s asked only to be judged on his tennis, and on that point, everyone agrees he is a sublime talent, with all the skills to be a grand slam winner himself one day if, as it seems, the shackles have been removed.
His booming serve is almost unplayable, even to Djokovic, the best returner in professional tennis, because he delivers it with blistering speed and unpredictability.
His forehand is also a lethal weapon but he also has a bagful of subtle tricks, including drop shots, tweeners and underarm serves which he isn’t afraid to use, even under the suffocating pressure of a Wimbledon final.
Presented with a consolation silver plate by the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, Kyrgios calmed himself down for the ceremony, but it was still an awkward moment for the royal family, because the complaints about him extend far beyond spitting on the manicured lawns of Wimbledon.
His next court booking in Australia is due to take place in front of a Canberra magistrate.
What happens next in his tennis career is anyone’s guess but at 27, he’s still young enough to win a major, and he’s never been more liked than he is now.
“Nick - you’ll be back, not just in Wimbledon but in (grand slam) finals,” Djokovic said.
“I know it’s tough to find consolation words after a tough loss like this but you showed you deserve to be the best in the world especially on this surface, after this tournament, I wish you all the best.
“I really respect you a lot, you are an amazing talent and now everything is starting to come together for you. I never thought I would say so many nice things about you considering the relationship.
“OK it’s officially a bromance.”
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