If Novak Djokovic does what is expected and beats British hope Cameron Norrie in their Wimbledon semi-final tonight, don’t expect him to bring any intimidation factor in the final against Nick Kyrgios.
Because for all his accomplishments, Djokovic has never beaten the Aussie tennis firebrand.
Kyrgios is one of just three players to boast a 2-0 record over the Serbian, including two-time grand slam winner Marat Safin and world No.68 Jiri Vesely [who is an incredible story for another day].
Kyrgios runs to play a forehand against Cristian Garin of Chile during their quarter final. He is one of just five players with a winning record against Novak Djokovic
Only five players boast a winning record against Djokovic, with American power-hitter Andy Roddick and former world No.5 Fernando Gonzalez rounding out the list.
So it should come as no shock that Kyrgios doesn’t rate his opponent, despite the fact the 20-time grand slam winner has a genuine claim on the greatest of all time thrown.
‘No matter how many grand slams he wins, he will never be the greatest for me,’ Kyrgios said of Djokovic in 2019.
‘Simply because, I’ve played him twice and like, I’m sorry, but if you can’t beat me, you’re not the greatest of all time. Because if you like look at my day-to-day routine and how much I train and how much I put in, it’s zero compared to him.’
Djokovic has cruised through Wimbledon in 2022 and only needs to beat British star Cameron Norrie to reach the final against Kyrgios
The first time Kyrgios faced off against Djokovic, he was a milder version of himself than the polarising figure he cuts today.
It was a match that lacked fireworks and Kyrgios admitted to feeling nerves coming against an opponent who had already won 12 grand slams and was world No.2 at the time.
However Kyrgios had ice in his veins as he thundered home 25 aces to prevail 7-6 (11-9) 7-5.
‘It’s a big win,’ Kyrgios said at the time.
‘I was a little bit nervous because I’m sure the crowd was rooting for Novak. He’s one of the greatest players of all time but I’m playing with confidence. My serve is the best part of my game and I had one of my best serving matches tonight.’
Kyrgios (R) speaks to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (L) after winning his match during the fourth day of the Mexican Tennis Open, in Acapulco
A week later, the two would meet again – this time at Indian Wells. Again Kyrgios triumphed 6-4 7-6 (7-3) and this time he brought out his trademark tweener against the frustrated Serbian.
‘It feels good. I knew what I had to do today,’ Kyrgios said. ‘It was always going to be tough – he is a great champion,’ a polite and restrained Kyrgios said at the time.
While the Aussie, who is contesting his first grand slam final, can lean on those results for confidence, it is unlikely that Djokovic will be phased by those losses.
However, the war of words off the court between the two that has escalated in recent years just might.
Kyrgios shakes hands at the net after his straight set victory against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their fourth round match during day ten of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells
In 2019 Kyrgios launched an atomic bomb on Djokovic.
‘I just feel like he has a sick obsession with wanting to be liked. He just wants to be like Roger [Federer].
‘For me personally – I don’t care right now, I’ve -come this far – I feel like he just wants to be liked so much that I just can’t stand him.
This whole celebration thing [Djokovic’s trademark ‘boob-throwing’ celebration] that he does after matches, it’s like so cringe-worthy. It’s very cringeworthy.’
The infamous Covid tennis tournament organised by Djokovic was slammed by Kyrgios
Kyrgios fired another verbal serve during the Covid pandemic when Djokovic infamously thought it would be a great idea to hold a tennis tournament in his hometown and and Zadar, Croatia despite global lockdowns.
‘A heck of a tennis player but unfortunately someone who’s partying with his shirt off during a global pandemic, I don’t know if I can take any slack from that man. That’s as bad as it gets for me.’
It could be Djokovic’s greatest test – if he can get through Norrie.
He will face an Australian opponent that will genuinely show no fear and will have the bravado to believe that he is the greatest grass court player of all time, not the 20-time grand slam winner at the other end.
