Wimbledon champ Djokovic vows to buy dinner for rival Kyrgios and hopes ‘this is the start of a wonderful relationship’
NOVAK DJOKOVIC vowed to buy dinner for defeated rival Nick Kyrgios after winning a seventh Wimbledon title.
But the Aussie superbrat will have to wait until the Serb has treated wife Jelena to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
Djokovic won the trophy - plus £2million in prize money - with a 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 victory after the pair, who used to be sworn enemies, agreed the winner would pay for a meal out.
Djokovic said: “Hopefully this is the start of a wonderful relationship between the two of us off the court.
“Let’s start with dinner and drinks and then we will see.”
Retiring BBC presenter Sue Barker had to remind the almost forgetful Djokovic that Sunday was a special day for his family.
Read More Tennis News
Djokovic said: “Thanks Sue, I will buy you flowers after this, you keep reminding me of the things that I would get in big trouble for if I forgot. Darling happy anniversary.”
The No 1 seed ate grass off Centre Court and did a Superman pose after he clinched a fourth title in a row – and 21st Career slam to draw one behind rival Rafa Nadal.
According to his coach Goran Ivanisevic, it has been a “s*** year” due to Djokovic’s deportation from Melbourne and ejection from the Australian Open for being unvaccinated against Covid.
Djokovic said: “It’s not a coincidence that this place has such relevance in my life and career.
Most read in Sport
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
“It’s a relief, as well, considering what I’ve been through of course this year.
“It adds more value and more significance and more emotions, of course.
“I have lost words for what this tournament, what this trophy means to me, to my team and family.
“I always dreamed of coming here, playing in this court, and of course realising the childhood dream of winning this trophy.
“Every single time, it gets more and more meaningful and special. I’m very blessed and very thankful to be standing here with the trophy.”
Djokovic is unvaccinated from Covid and therefore cannot play next month’s US Open in New York.
The 35-year-old is hoping the US government will lift their strict coronavirus stance because otherwise his next Slam will be the 2023 French Open as he is also barred from entering Australia.
Novak is a bit of a God
Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios, 27, was fined £3,200 for dropping the F-bomb during his maiden final appearance.
He said: “Novak is a bit of a God. In big moments, it just felt like he was never rattled. And that’s his greatest strength.
“That was a hell of a match. I thought I served well. I put myself in a position to win, but I just wasn’t able to play those clutch points well
“I’m so tired now. Myself, my team we are so exhausted, we have played so much tennis.
“I’m a kid from Canberra. A month ago, I was actually in a facility playing basketball with some boys back home.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The Sun
“I literally said to one of them, Look, I think I’m going to have some fun and maybe win Wimbledon.
“Then, I’m here as a finalist. I didn’t hit more than an hour a day. How am I here? It’s cool.”
