The two Wimbledon finalists have already planned everything for the third half… or rather the sixth set in this case.
A few hours before one of the two protagonists lifted the prestigious golden cup, Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios exchanged via their Instagram story to agree on a dinner at the restaurant, and more if affinities, at the end of their duel on London lawn.
“I defended you when it was important”
It all started with a tweet from Serbian journalist Sasa Ozmo referring to an exchange between the two players on the Aorangi terrace, located near Wimbledon's number 1 court.
"It took you five years to say something nice about me, haha", would have launched "Djko", the three-time defending champion in London, to the Australian with the reputation of a brat.
"But I defended you when it mattered!"
Kyrgios replied.
Before Djokovic concludes: "It's true, I appreciate that".
The Australian is thus referring to the public support he gave to the world number one last January when he refused to be vaccinated, which led to his exclusion from the Australian Open.
#Djokovic and #Kyrgios at Aorangi.
Novak: It took you five years to say something nice about me, haha.
Nick: But I defended you when it mattered!
Novak: You did, I appreciate that.
#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/om8XQn1A4B
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) July 9, 2022
Nick Kyrgios took to this tweet which he shared on his Instagram story mentioning the Serbian to ask him “Are we friends now?
".
Novak Djokovic was quick to respond to him, on the same social network: “If you invite me for a drink or dinner, I accept.
PS: tomorrow's winner pays.
“A proposal that visibly seduced the Australian:” Deal concluded, let's go to a nightclub and act crazy!
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A new poster
It is the first time that the two players, not known to be frankly close off the field, meet at one of the four major tournaments.
And the difference in achievements is significant between a Djokovic who has 20 Grand Slam titles and Kyrgios, who has won six ATP 250 and 500 tournaments during his career and had never yet reached a Grand Slam final.
Already winner six times for seven finals played at Wimbledon, the Serb seems to be in the position of favorite to get a little closer to the record of eight coronations on the London lawn, held by the Swiss Roger Federer.
However, the Australian won their only two confrontations in 2017, in Acapulco and then at the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells.