MY ACCOUNT
Nick Kyrgios added further praise for Novak Djokovic in the news conference after a 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-3) Wimbledon final defeat.
First-time finalist Kyrgios had lauded his opponent as “a bit of a god” on court after a 21st grand slam success, with Djokovic ultimately having too much for his opponent.
And those generous words continued in the interview room, where Kyrgios acknowledged Djokovic’s renowned return ability was a huge factor in the result – as was his composure.
Kyrgios had started beautifully, winning 81 per cent of his service points in the opening set and taking advantage of a pair of double-faults to grab the early advantage.
But Djokovic’s return game picked up from that point, taking the sting out of the Australian’s best weapon as his success rate on serve plummeted, winning 57 per cent of his service points in the second frame and 58 per cent in the third.
Kyrgios also committed four double-faults in the third to hand a set advantage to the world number three, and when the fourth set came to a tie-breaker, it was Djokovic who would hold his nerve.
“[Djokovic] is just really composed,” Kyrgios said. “It’s weird, I felt like he didn’t do anything amazing today.
“He returned obviously the way he returns – I feel like he’s just a great returner – but he was just so composed. I feel like that’s his greatest strength: he just never looks rattled.”
Not disheartened from falling just short of his first grand slam title, Kyrgios said he had taken plenty of confidence from his run to the final.
“My level is right there,” he said. “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. [It gives me] confidence obviously.
“It was a hell of an occasion. People were probably expecting me to have something happen today.
“But I came out in the first set and I looked like I was the one who had played in a lot of finals. I thought I dealt with the pressure pretty well.”
