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For the unprecedented
The neophyte and the regular.
One is playing his first Grand Slam final, the other his… 32nd (absolute record in men's tennis) and his 8th at Wimbledon.
The pair have only played each other twice in their careers and Kyrgios prevailed both times in straight sets.
He must not, a priori, harbor complexes against the Serb.
But Djokovic's two setbacks came in 2017, in Acapulco and Indian Wells on hard court, in a period when the Djoker was playing backwards... On the Center Court, in the final and in his garden, it could be another story, this Sunday (from 3 p.m. in France).
Read alsoWimbledon: even tossed about and with his back to the wall, Djokovic still hovers on the London lawn
For Kyrgios and the challenge of his life
If he has nothing to lose against the master of the place, the 40th in the world could be overtaken by the pressure of the event.
With his usual frankness, the Australian made no secret of his state of mind on Friday, two days before the meeting of his life.
He who had never passed the quarter-finals in a Grand Slam.
“
I probably slept an hour from Thursday to Friday, because of the excitement.
I was also so anxious.
I never thought of playing the final here.
The tortured Kyrgios knows that he has, possibly, the only chance of his life to win a Major.
The Aussie, who benefited from Nadal's package before their half, is not to be taken lightly, especially on grass, but will he play with his usual relaxation?
"
His best tennis, he always took it out against the best players.
That's why we all respect him, we know what he is capable of
, ”says his opponent.
Read alsoWimbledon: the whimsical Nick Kyrgios is not just a bad boy
Read alsoWimbledon: "I probably slept an hour", says Kyrgios after the announcement of Nadal's package
For Djokovic (again) facing history
“I am well aware of what is at stake. In every match, in every Grand Slam tournament that I play at this stage of my career, the stakes are high,
blows the 35-year-old Serbian champion.
I don't know how much chance I will have of winning a Grand Slam tournament."
Relegated to two lengths behind Rafael Nadal in the race for Grand Slam titles (22 for the Spaniard who triumphed this year at the Australian Open and Roland-Garros), and not being, for the time being, authorized – for lack of an anti-covid vaccine – to enter the territory of the United States to compete in the US Open, the Serb must win on Sunday.
In the event of a coronation, he will lift the trophy for the fourth consecutive edition, like Sampras.
Only Borg and Federer have done better by fielding five.
The insatiable, unbeaten at Wimbledon since his retirement in the quarter-finals in 2017, with 27 victories in a row, can also approach the series of Pete Sampras (31), Roger Federer (40) and Björn Borg (41).
And with a seventh crown, he would join Pete Sampras, his childhood idol.
Read alsoWimbledon: Center Court boss Novak Djokovic faithful to the final meeting
For contrasting styles
Face to face, perhaps the best server on the circuit when he is well disposed (Kyrgios) against the best receiver (Djokovic).
The puncher against the master tactician.
Fire against ice.
Djokovic, an often impassable wall, warns: “
There is a lot of power in his serve and in his game. His service movement is very fluid and very fast.
He can strike from any angle.
On the grass, I guess it's even more difficult to read his serve and return.
He moves well.
He has very good hands.
He is a very complete player.
There is no doubt that he will be aggressive.
"Djokovic also delivers, according to him, the key to the final:"
In the end, it will be played in the head, to the one who will remain the strongest and the calmest in the decisive moments
".
Net advantage in this area, a priori, at world number 3.
Read alsoWimbledon: “Our relationship is better than in the past”, says Djokovic about Kyrgios, his opponent in the final
For electricity in the air
“
There are going to be emotional fireworks,
” predicts Djokovic.
It's time for sweet words between the two men.
In the past, the provocateur Kyrgios had repeatedly verbally turned on his opponent.
Change of tone this year: “
We have a kind of bromance,
he had fun.
I have the impression of being the only player to have defended him at the Australian Open
(exclusion of the Serb due to his non-vaccination with Covid-19)”.
Surprised by this fiery declaration, the master of the place slipped in front of the press, smiling.
"
I don't know if I can still call it a bromance, but our relationship is definitely better than it was before January of this year when he was one of the few to support me publicly
.
If Djokovic can sometimes be very nervous on a court and angry, Kyrgios' behavior will be scrutinized.
Calmed in recent days in a press conference, the volcanic Australian can erupt on the court at any time.
He had caused chaos to unpin Tsitsipas in the third round, before laying low in the next two rounds.
Read alsoWimbledon: Insults, intimidation, tackles at a press conference … Kyrgios-Tsitsipas, a shock that smelled of sulfur
