Wimbledon 2022 final – Novak Djokovic vs Nick Kyrgios LIVE RESULT: Centre Court ERUPTS as Serbian star RETAINS crown
NOVAK DJOKOVIC has RETAINED his Wimbledon crown at the expense of Nick Kyrgios in a thrilling SW19 final.
The Serbian star overcame Kyrgios' Centre Court antics and battled back from a set down to win courtesy of a tie-break.
Which has seen Djokovic claim his FOURTH successive Wimbledon title and his SEVENTH all together.
RESULT: Novak Djokovic 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-3) Nick Kyrgios
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That's a wrap for Wimbledon
Just like that, Wimbledon is done for another season and what a tournament it was.
The All England Club displayed some sublime tennis, on court antics, wounded soldiers and two incredible Single's finals.
Congratulations are in order for history maker Elena Rybakina for becoming the first player from Kazakhstan to win a Major title at Wimbledon.
And a huge digital round of applause for Novak Djokovic for proving again why he is a monster on grass.
But most importantly, farewell to Sue Barker who has made herself a legend through her years of Wimbledon punditry on BBC.
Connect four
Not only has Novak Djokovic clinched his seventh Wimbledon crown at SW19.
But this was his FOURTH in a row and the Serb hasn't lost at Wimbledon since 2013.
That is an incredible record.
No under 21's allowed
Novak Djokovic's thrilling Wimbledon win has nudged him ahead of Roger Federer who is stuck on 20 Grand Slams.
But the Serbian star remains one behind his arch nemesis Rafael Nadal who was forced out of the tournament with an injury.
The race is on for who will end their career with the most Grand Slams.
And now from Novak
Djokovic said: "Nick - you'll be back, not just in Wimbledon but in finals.
"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. Okay, it's officially a bromance.
"The winner buys dinner - that's why he lost. 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."
Nick's nattering
Kyrgios said on court: "Yeah he is a bit of a god, I'm not going to lie. I thought I played well.
"First of all congratulations to Novak and your team, you've won this Championships that many times I don't even know any more.
"Obviously 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."
On wanting to reach further Grand Slam finals: "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."
That's a first
I cannot remember someone ever flipping the runner-up trophy around in his hands as he waits for the champ to finish his lap of honour.
But classy from Kyrgios as he waits and they walk off court together.
'I must buy you flowers'
Novak Djokovic with a brilliant speech on Centre Court.
And today is his wedding anniversary, too.
He is kindly reminded by Sue Barker - and he jokes he needs to buy the outgoing BBC presenter for reminding him!
Now Djokovic and Kyrgios are getting photos together and are genuinely laughing together.
This is, after all, very lovely to see.
Bromance: official
Lovely words from both men towards the other.
Kyrgios congratulates Novak on his superb performance and achievement.
And Novak responds by confirming it is "officially a bromance".
N'awww!
And now for the champion...
For a seventh time...
Novak Djokovic!
The runner-up...
Nick Kyrgios!
A pretty good reception for the Aussie in his white hoody and red baseball cap.
Time for Kate
Here comes the Duchess of Cambridge to present the trophies.
A polite applause for tournament referee Gerry Armstrong and today's chair umpire.
Contrast of emotions
Djokovic returns to his chair and buries his head in his towel.
I think he is crying under there.
For Kyrgios, the red cap goes straight on and he sits silent and pensive, reflecting on what might have been.
Hugs all round
After a lovely moment between these two new friends at the net, it is time for Novak to head over to his box.
There he celebrates with his team and wife Jelena.
Djokovic 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-6 (7-3) Kyrgios
GAME, SET, MATCH AND CHAMPIONSHIP, NOVAK DJOKOVIC!
He is the Wimbledon champion for a seventh time.
He seals it at the third time of asking as he moves in and Kyrgios nets a backhand.
There are hugs, smiles and laughs at the net between the two players.
Djokovic* 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-6 (6-3) Kyrgios
First one saved by a simple putaway forehand...
Ace. Two saved...
Now for Novak to serve...
Djokovic 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-6 (6-1) Kyrgios*
Tame backhand long...
Five match points...
Djokovic* 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-6 (5-1) Kyrgios
Perfect start for Djokovic. Kyrgios double faults and hands over an immediate double break. A wasted challenge, too.
A cool forehand volley from Novak as Kyrgios tries to go big. 2-0.
Oooh. That was a surprise! Djokovic nets a routine forehand to hand back the advantage. 2-1 Djokovic.
A wild forehand from Kyrgios. 3-1.
A backhand wide from Kyrgios. 4-1.
"Not one person has said anything... Why are you all scared for? I don't get it! Why are you here, any of you!"
Kyrgios slaps another in the net.
Djokovic 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-6 Kyrgios*
"Let's go Nick, let's go."
He gets to 30-30 thanks to a couple of stray balls from Djokovic.
But he nails a slice which Kyrgios whips into the net.
Tie-break time...
Djokovic* 4-6 6-3 6-4 5-6 Kyrgios
That serve and drop shot combo is special from Kyrgios has Djokovic scampering and then scathing at himself.
Djok forces Kyrgios to net another low backhand half-volley but a tidy overhead putaway and a Djokovic backhand wide on the run for a drop shot get Kyrgios to 40-15.
He thinks he has slammed down an ace, the umpire calls it out, and then Kyrgios' monster forehand is called "out" - ironically it just caught the line but he didn't challenge.
A huge ace does seal the hold.
Kyrgios to the umpire at the changeover: "I am just relying on the challenges.
"I am in a very difficult position - you have no authority, no confidence to overrule, I'm in a tricky position.
"What happens if that forehand was in? You're not going to overrule."
Djokovic 4-6 6-3 6-4 5-5 Kyrgios*
Double fault from Djokovic to start the game he needs to hold to stay in this fourth set...
A superb backhand at Kyrgios' feet forces the world No40 to go long.
A service winner - Djokovic looks unflappable on serve right now.
Kyrgios cannot soak up the heavy forehands and tries to mix it up but instead slices into the net. 40-15.
Kyrgios jumps all over a second serve with a perfectly-timed backhand up the line return. 40-30.
Ace. 5-5.
Djokovic* 4-6 6-3 6-4 4-5 Kyrgios
Too good from Novak Djokovic. How did he even get to that ball at 30-0, let alone produce a winner off it.
A short ball is dismissed for 30-30.
Big point...
Big serve gets him out of trouble.
And another big serve sees out the hold.
Djokovic 4-6 6-3 6-4 4-4 Kyrgios*
Crunch point at 15-0... a long baseline exchange... and Kyrgios nets needlessly. That will hurt.
An ace out wide as Nick gambles the other way takes it to 40-0 and it is 4-4 when another backhand finds the net.
Efficient stuff from Novak.
Djokovic* 4-6 6-3 6-4 3-4 Kyrgios
This gets the crowd going with an excellent drop shot and then reads the Novak response to make the volley.
His dad loves it, whistling so loud his sister has to block her ears.
40-15... Let. "It wasn't a let though!" demands you-know-who...
He ain't gonna win this one against the automated vibration machine.
"Let's go," the cry as Djokovic's reply goes long.
Djokovic 4-6 6-3 6-4 3-3 Kyrgios*
Djokovic could not have placed that backhand better if he walked around with the ball in his hand.
Plum on the line.
A fortunate let cord with the forehand volley secures another love hold.
Djokovic* 4-6 6-3 6-4 2-3 Kyrgios
Djokovic is beaming when he gets to replay the opening point after the ball just caught the sideline... Kyrgios bangs down a massive serve anyway.
Finally Djokovic misses a second serve return - the first time in the match, incredibly.
Kyrgios tries another audacious hot dog at 40-0 but can only succeed in setting Djokovic up for a simple volley putaway.
A superb drop shot from Djokovic brings it back to 40-30...
Not again, Nick, surely?!
He wants his box to be louder again.
A forehand winner is greeted by a stare to that corner of the court again.
"Have we not learnt yet? Have we not? No?"