Wimbledon final Nick Kyrgios v Novak Djokovic: How Aussie star can cause upset

A former Novak Djokovic strategist has revealed the secrets to success against the Serbian superstar. Find out how Nick Kyrgios can cause an upset.

There are only a handful of players in the world who would have any real chance of beating Novak Djokovic in a Wimbledon final.

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios happens to be one of those players.

As improbable as that looks when you stack their career achievements up against each other, the proof is there from their previous meetings.

They’ve only played each other twice but Kyrgios won both matches in straight sets because he is one of the few players with the perfect set of skills, tactics and arrogance to rattle Djokovic.

Craig O’Shannessy, one of the world’s top tennis strategists, was working with Djokovic when he lost both matches to Kyrgios.

He conducts a deep dive here to help unlock the secrets into how the brash Australian took down the champion Serb, and what he uncovered was the blueprint that proves Kyrgios can win Sunday’s final.

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Can Nick Kyrgios knock off Novak Djokovic? Picture: AFP

PAST RESULTS

KYRGIOS beat Djokovic 7-7 7-5 in Acapulco in 2017.

The following week he beat him 6-4 7-6 at Indian Wells.

VARIETY

ONE of the keys to Kyrgios’ success against Djokovic was the clever way he mixed things up.

In one service game, for example, he delivered a 133km/h second serve. Two points later, he made another second serve, but at 202km/h.

“Novak’s the best returner in the world but that just completely threw him off,” O’Shannessy said.

“He couldn’t pick Nick’s serve. In two matches, and 23 service games, Novak didn’t break him once and Nick only faced one break point on serve.”

BACKHAND

DJOKOVIC is known for attacking his opponent’s backhand. In theory, backhand is Kyrgios’ weakest shot, because his forehand is such a weapon, but it can be deceiving because he doesn’t overplay it. Instead, the Australian uses a shorter, but more reliable swing – almost like a bunt in baseball – that reduces the risk of error and allows him to stay in rallies longer.

SERVING

KYRGIOS has arguably the best serve in tennis because it’s almost impossible to pick. His set up, including his ball toss and hitting motion, is identical regardless of where he’s hitting the ball or how hard he hits.

And his speeds are off the charts. When he beat Djokovic in Acapulco for example, 11 of his second serves were faster than the average speeds of Djkokovic’s first (185km/h) which adds to the power and variety of his serve, making him hard to break.

“In many ways, it’s a nightmare match up for Novak, and it’s a dream match up for Nick,” O’Shannessy said. “Obviously, Novak’s level and his history at Wimbledon will serve him well, but Nick is in this with a real chance.”

Novak Djokovic lost to Nick Kyrgios back in 2017. Picture: Miguel Tovar/LatinContent via Getty Images

NO FEAR

O’SHANNESSY said many players lose to Djokovic because they are intimidated by him, but not Kyrgios.

Like John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, Kyrgios likes to distract his opponents with his on-field antics, and O’Shannessy said it’s a ploy that could work against Djokovic.

“Those theatrics could very well upset Novak and distract Novak. And that could be a big reason that Nick can really stick his teeth into this match,” O’Shannessy said.

ADVERSITY

THE biggest concern for Kyrgios is how he responds when things don’t go his way because he has a history of throwing in the towel.

“You’ve got to expect at some stage in this match, things are going to go south for Nick at some stage,” O’Shannessy said.

“He may still win the match. But you always expect adversity in a match and you’re in a Wimbledon final, it could be the crowd, who knows.”

EXPERIENCE

DJOKOVIC holds the advantage here but his former strategist said Kyrgios can easily negate that if he wants to.

“Experience only matters if the opponent lets it matter to them, if they get carried away with the history and the resume,” O’Shannessy said.

“But Nick Kyrgios doesn’t care less about Novak Djokovic’s resumé. So he needs to find the balance between creating mayhem in Novak’s mind and not creating in his own.”

BRING IN THE CLOWNS

THERE’S not a player in the world who is comfortable playing against the Australian when he goes into full meltdown mode – and that includes Djokovic. It’s not always pretty but O’Shannessy said it is extremely effective.

”It’s very important that Nick doesn’t respect Novak too much to not do that, because that’s who Nick is and that’s how Nick plays,|” O’Shannessy said.

“Nick’s got to bring his A-game and he’s got to bring the circus in.”

Australia’s oldest living Wimbledon winner lauds Kyrigos

— Jon Anderson

FRANK Sedgman, Australian tennis royalty and the oldest living Wimbledon winner at age 94, has declared Nick Kyrgios the most freakish talent the game has seen.

And Sedgman, who in 1952 won the singles, doubles and mixed doubles crowns at Wimbledon, played against the greats of the 1950s and ‘60s in Lew Hoad, Rod Laver, Jack Kramer and Pancho Gonzales.

“He (Kyrgios) makes some amazing shots, hitting them off his toes and knees. When you are a volleyer you have to get down to get behind the line of the ball, but he just seems to pick it out of the air. I don’t know how he does it,” said Sedgman, who won five grand slam singles titles before he turned professional aged 24 in 1953.

Tennis champion Frank Sedgman. Picture: Stuart McEvoy/The Australian

“There have been a few players who would try the trick shots and everything but they never got anywhere because they weren’t solid enough in the rest of their game.

“This fella seems to be able to play some miraculous shots at will and when you add it up to his other areas, you wonder why he hasn’t won a lot more titles, including grand slams.

The Kyrgios serve: “I played against the great Jack Kramer and his serve was something else. And then there was Pancho Gonzales, with players such as Pete Sampras and Roger Federer since. But Kyrgios is up there, if not better, than any of them. He seems to be able to serve an ace when he has to and place the ball exactly where he needs to. And his second serve is almost as hard.”

Most watchable: “Kyrgios would come into the equation for sure. I’m just hoping he behaves himself on Sunday night. I don’t claim to know him but we have met a couple of times. I do hope he wins because his talent deserves it. And maybe it will prove the catalyst for him. I like the fact that he doesn’t have a coach and a whole lot of people around him.”

Kyrgios’s chances: “I actually said to my wife Jean prior to Wimbledon that his game looked to be in really good shape, and with that serve he would go a long way. Plus he has a terrific forehand. He can volley as well as most when he wants to. If he serves really well then I think he will win it.”

Rod Laver: “I played him a few times and had match point on him once. He was a great returner of serve but he didn’t have the serving ability of Kyrgios. The difference is Laver has such a record of longevity. Maybe Lew Hoad was the Kyrgios of his time with a big serve and a big forehand. And like Kyrgios he didn’t always seem to care that much if he won or lost. You never met a guy with a wrist as strong as Hoad and he could really whack it.”

Kyrgios might be Djoker’s chance for Aussie revenge

The tennis Gods really do like stirring the pot.

How else can you explain the odds of Novak Djokovic ending up playing Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final.

Once bitter enemies, they haven’t played each other in over five years - but suddenly here they are - squaring off for the biggest title in tennis as newly reborn BFFs.

The irony is there for everyone to see.

Australia hasn’t won the Wimbledon men’s singles title in two decades.

But the man standing in Kyrgios’ way is the same man who was detained and deported from Australia six months ago because he wasn’t vaccinated.

Caught in the crossfire of self-serving politicians in campaign mode - and tennis administrators who should have had the guts to make an early call and stick by it rather than wet the bed the moment everyone complained - Djokovic was shamelessly humiliated by Australia.

Novak Djokovic celebrates match point against Cameron Norrie in the semi-final. Picture: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Nick Kyrgios will take on Djokovic in the Wimbledon final. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

No matter what you think of Djokovic and his alienating views on vaccination, the way he was vilified in Australia was a national disgrace.

As things stand, he’s still banned from returning to Australia for three years but there’s hope that common sense will prevail and he’ll be allowed back next January.

Wimbledon is his chance for payback - just don’t expect to hear that from Djokovic himself.

“Whatever happened in Australia is now behind,” he said.

“It’s been six months since that moment. I am really pleased to be in another Grand Slam final.

“Obviously the beginning of the year was quite turbulent for me emotionally. It wasn’t something I ever faced before.

“As I said, I’m just looking forward to this final and hopefully giving it all and winning.”

That’s the Serbian biting his tongue and being diplomatic.

What he didn’t say was how deeply hurt he was by the way he was treated in a country where he has won a record nine Australian Open titles.

Missing out on the chance for a 10th was especially cruel because his great rival Rafa Nadal went on to win the title and claim a record 21st grand slam crown.

Nadal then won the French Open to move to 22, two clear of Djokovic, who has an added incentive to beat Kyrgios at Wimbledon because his place in the history books is on the line.

Make no mistake about it, that’s what’s really driving Djokovic.

Djokovic walks with his team after landing at Dubai Airport after the Australian Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel his visa in January. Picture: REUTERS/Loren Elliott

The other irony of course is that one of the few Australians who publicly supported Djokovic when he was public enemy No. 1 in Melbourne was Kyrgios, once his fiercest critic, whose admiration for Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer has gone to new heights after he has finally realised what it takes to reach a grand slam final.

“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,” Kyrgios said.

“I don’t think anyone will fill those shoes. Once they’re gone, I’m not sure. I feel like if I ever am able to lift a Grand Slam trophy, please don’t put the pressure on me to do another one.”.

Djokovic worried to face ‘big-match player’ Kyrgios

Novak Djokovic knows exactly what to expect from Nick Kyrgios in Sunday’s Wimbledon final, but that’s left the Serbian tennis ace fearing the worst.

Djokovic may be one of the greatest players of all time, with 20 grand slam titles under his belt, but he’s also Kyrgios’ bunny.

He’s played the unpredictable Australian twice before but lost each time, both in straight sets, and is still no wiser to figuring out how to cope with his variety and sheer firepower.

“It’s going to be a game of small margins,” Djokovic said after beating Britain’s Cameron Norrie 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 to join Kyrgios in Sunday’s final.

Novak Djokovic defeated Briton Cameron Norrie in four sets to book a place in the Wimbledon final to face Nick Kyrgios. Picture: Getty Images

“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.”

Sunday’s centre court clash has all the makings of a blockbuster because it involves two of the most talented - and polarising - figures in tennis.

As the unfiltered Kyrgios put it: “I think a Kyrgios-Djokovic final would be mouth-watering.”

That could be a nomination for the understatement of the year but on that point, Djokovic was in full agreement.

When asked what he expected from Kyrgios, he sounded the warning that a storm was brewing.

“He plays lights-out every time he steps out onto the court. Just a lot of power in his serve and his game,” Djokovic said.

“I’m sure he’s going to go for it. No doubt he’s going to be aggressive. I expect him to do that.

“I’m going to make sure I get ready for that one and let the better player win.

“He’s a big-match player. If you see his career, the best tennis he’s played is always against the top guys. That’s why we all respect him, because we know what he can come up with.”

Kyrgios has never played in a grand slam final before so Sunday’s final is uncharted waters for him.

Nick Kyrgios’ serves is hard to read at the best of times and even harder on grass, worrying his final opponent Novak Djokovic. Picture: Getty Images

In the past, he’s melted whenever the blowtorch has been applied so most people are surprised he’s gotten this far.

But Djokovic is not one of them. He’s known for a long time that the temperamental Aussie had a big game so just needed to get his head right.

“These are the occasions that he loves, where he thrives, on a big stage. It’s not surprising for me that he’s there,” Djokovic said.

“Honestly, as a tennis fan, I’m glad that he’s in the finals because he’s got so much talent. Everyone was praising him when he came on the tour, expecting great things from him.

“On and off the court, a lot of different things were distracting him so he was not able to get this consistency.

“But for the quality player that he is, this is where he needs to be, and deserves to be.”

While Kyrgios may have been mentally fragile in the past, he’s always been a beast physically, with arguably the best serve in professional tennis.

Djokovic can attest to that. Already a six-time champion at Wimbledon, he’s renowned as the best returner in the game but admits Kyrgios’ booming delivery gives him nightmares.

“He can hit any angle really. He tosses it forward so he can come in, serve and volley. He puts himself in a great position to be aggressive or to stay back,” Kyrgios said.

“It’s tough to read his serve. I haven’t practised with him or played with him since the last time I lost to him in 2017.

Djokovic and Kyrgios have played just twice, both in 2017 and both resulting in victories to the Aussie.

“On grass I would assume it’s even tougher to read his serve and to return because he has so many free points.

“You could see that throughout this tournament. He just puts additional pressure on your serve. He moves well. He’s got great hands. He’s a very complete player.”

If Djokovic does have an advantage, it’s his big match experience, especially on grass.

He’s already won Wimbledon six times, including each of the last three times the tournament has been held.

But that also brings added pressure, particularly since Rafa Nadal has moved two ahead of him on the all-time grand slam count after winning this year’s Australian and French Open finals.

If Djokovic is to ever surpass his great Spanish rival as the GOAT, winning on Sunday will help a lot.

“I’m aware of what’s on the line. Every match, every Grand Slam that I get to play at this stage of my career, there is a lot on the line. I don’t know how many Grand Slam opportunities to win the trophy I will still have,” he said.

“Of course, I’m approaching it with a positive attitude and self-belief and willingness to win. There’s no doubt about it.

“There’s so much going on, pressure and expectations. Sometimes you’re able to handle it better than your opponent; sometimes not.

“The experience that I have at this level, playing in the finals against someone that has never played a Grand Slam final, could be slightly in my favour.

“It’s always really about handling your own nerves better than maybe your opponent is his own. This internal battle is always the greatest.”

Originally published as Wimbledon final Nick Kyrgios v Novak Djokovic: How Aussie star can cause upset