Thursday, April 18

Wimbledon 2022 live final: Nick Kyrgios vs. Novak Djokovic score updates and highlights from Center Court


Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios meet in the men’s Wimbledon final today both eager to write their name in the SW19 history books with the Serb aiming for a fourth consecutive triumph and the Australian his first ever singles major.

Kyrgios goes into the Center Court showpiece as the underdog but the more refreshed player given he got a bye into the final after his semifinal opponent Rafael Nadal withdrew with an abdominal tear.

No.1 seed Djokovic has only recorded straight sets victories in two of his matches so far, but after losing the first set to Cameron Norrie in his semifinal he’s finally started to find his rhythm and showcase his best tennis.

Djokovic is also attempting to close the gap on Nadal (22 Grand Slam wins) and victory against livewire Kyrgios today will bring him up to 21 major titles.

The SportingNews will be bringing you live updates from Center Court below.

Nick Kyrgios vs. Novak Djokovic live score

1 two 3 4 5
Nick Kyrgios 6 4 – – –
Novak Djokovic 4 1 – – –

Nick Kyrgios vs. Novak Djokovic score updates and highlights from Wimbledon 2022 final

All times BST

*denotes server

Nick Kyrgios 6-4 1-4 *Novak Djokovic

Djokovic gets to 30-0 comfortably but then double faults. Kyrgios can’t return a serve down the middle, 40-15, and then the Australian rattles off a fierce backhand winner to close the gap further. Kyrgios then comes to the net and hits an overhead smash to get to deuce and the crowd erupts. Kyrgios then hits an easy forehand into the net and then does the same with a backhand.

*Nick Kyrgios 6-4 1-3 Novak Djokovic

Djokovic needs to return these big serves to get Kyrgios into a rally to have any chance of breaking him. He does just that, a backhand winner across court sets up three break points. Djokovic wins it, a forehand shot clipping the net and trickling over. He holds his hands up to apologize but that’s a big break for the Serb.

Nick Kyrgios 6-4 1-2 *Novak Djokovic

Kyrgios hits a neat backhand down the line from the back left of the court, 15-15. Kyrgios and Djokovic both go for big winners at the next two points but find the net, 30-30. A long rally ensues as Djokovic waits for Kyrgios to make the mistake, he does as a backhand goes long. Djokovic holds with a delicate drop shot that Kyrgios has no chance in making.

*Nick Kyrgios 6-4 1-1 Novak Djokovic

Djokovic wins the first point before Kyrgios serves up an ace. Another two aces follow. Djokovic is struggling to read it at all and at this speed you can hardly guess which way he’s going to go. Djokovic then hits a rare return winner that kisses the base line, 40-15. The Serb can’t return the next though.

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Nick Kyrgios 6-4 0-1 *Novak Djokovic

Djokovic lost his first set against Norrie in the semifinal and will need to come from behind again if he’s to win today. A strong service game gets Djokovic on the board here, holding to love.

*Nick Kyrgios 6-4 Novak Djokovic – KYRGIOS WINS FIRST SET

An ace gets the ball rolling before Djokovic puts a backhand into the net, 30-0. Kyrgios then makes back-to-back errors to allow Djokovic back in. Djokovic is annoyed he can’t return the next serve and it’s set point. He goes for a big backhand winner but it’s wide. Two huge serves later though and Kyrgios takes the first set in his first ever Grand Slam Giles final.

Nick Kyrgios 5-4 *Novak Djokovic

Anything Kyrgios can do, Djokovic can too. He gets to 40-0 with Kyrgios barely hitting a ball and sees the game out with a forehand into space. Maybe Kyrgios is saving himself for this important serve up next to take the first set.

*Nick Kyrgios 5-3 Novak Djokovic

Djokovic can’t return two big opening serves and the third follows the same path. The fourth? You guessed it. An ace he doesn’t even try to reach.

Nick Kyrgios 4-3 *Novak Djokovic

Kyrgios opts to hit one between his legs mid-rally but Djokovic reacts quickly to get the point, 30-0. Kyrgios then hits a backhand into the net and Djokovic finishes with an ace.

*Nick Kyrgios 4-2 Novak Djokovic

Kyrgios goes to 30-0 with a forehand down the line followed by an ace. He smashes a backhand volley down into the grass to go 40-0 and then sees the game out with a serve and volley. Very comfortable for the Aussie so far.

Nick Kyrgios 3-2 *Novak Djokovic

It’s Kyrgios who’s being the more daring when it comes to drop shots so far, he puts one to the right which Djokovic can’t get to, 15-15. Kyrgios earns himself two break points with a fierce backhand the Serb also can’t return over. Djokovic saves one but not the other and Kyrgios is the first to break!

*Nick Kyrgios 2-2 Novak Djokovic

Kyrgios brings out the serve and volley to take the opener. He soon reverts back to absolutely drilling those serves down the middle and two of them are aces as he holds to love.

Nick Kyrgios 1-2 *Novak Djokovic

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Djokovic wins a brilliant opening point with a backhand slice at the net which his opponent can’t return. Kyrgios then whips a forehand winner down the line of the highest quality, 15-15. Djokovic drills an ace and then Kyrgios hits one wide. Djokovic goes on to hold.

*Nick Kyrgios 1-1 Novak Djokovic

Kyrgios’ second serve of the match is a cool 130mph which Djokovic returns but the Aussie gets to 30-0 by winning the point with a backhand volley. He gets to 40-0, at 133mph ace this time. Then he goes for the underarm serve but Djokovic is quick to do it. Kyrgios gets the hold after Djokovic puts a backhand into the net.

Nick Kyrgios 0-1 *Novak Djokovic

Djokovic begins with… a double fault. A point later and he’s got his first ace under his belt though. He puts a forehand wide to allow Kyrgios back in, 30-30. Two big serves later and Djokovic is up and running.

2.05pm: The players are just going through a quick warmup and then we’ll be underway. It is absolutely baking on Center Court. Factor 50 needed for sure.

2pm: An almighty roar indeed! Kyrgios comes out first closely followed behind by Djokovic. The Serb has his cap on right from the start today (he put it on after going to set down against Norrie last time out) while Kyrgios is also wearing his cap, back to front, of course.

1.57pm: The ball boys and girls, as well as the line judges, have come out to a big round of applause. Think we can expect an almighty roar when the players come out very shortly.

1.50pm: Ten minutes until the players should begin making their way out.

Here’s a quick reminder of how both players have made it through to the final day of the tournament.

Kyrgios’ route to the end:

R1: d. [WC] Paul Jubb 3-6 6-1 7-5 6-7 (3-7) 7-5
R2: d. [26] Filip Krajinović 6-2 6-3 6-1
R3: d. [4] Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 6-3 7-6 (9-7)
R4: d. Brandon Nakashima 4-6 6-4 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 6-2
QF: d. Cristian Garin 6-4 6-3 7-6 (7-5)
SF: d. [2] Rafael Nadal w/o

Djokovic’s route to the end:

R1: d. Kwon Soon-woo 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4
R2: d. Thansi Kokkinakis 6-1 6-4 6-2
R3: d. [25] Miomir Kecmanovic 6-0 6-3 6-4
R4: d. [WC] Tim van Rijthoven 6-2 4-6 6-1 6-2
QF: d. [10] Jannik Sinner 5-7 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-2
SF: d. [9] Cameron Norrie 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4

1:40pm: Kyrgios described himself as a “reckless ball of energy” in the build up to today’s final but the 27-year-old has been struggling to sleep given the nerves.

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“I probably got an hour’s sleep just with everything, like the excitement,” he said on Saturday. “I had so much anxiety, I was already feeling so nervous, and I don’t feel nervous usually. But I had a shocking sleep last night.

“I was just restless, so many thoughts in my head about a Wimbledon final. That’s all I was thinking about. I was thinking of just playing, obviously imagining myself winning, imagining myself losing, everything.

“I feel like I’m just a reckless ball of energy right now. I just want to go out on the practice court now and hit some tennis balls and just talk. I don’t know. I want it to come already. Yeah , I want the end to come already.”

1.20pm: Despite Djokovic boasting all the experience at this stage in Grand Slam tournaments, Kyrgios may still have a slight psychological advantage when it comes to head-to-head meetings.

He leads the head-to-head between the pair with the Serb not winning a set in their two meetings in 2017.

“One thing for sure, there is going to be a lot of fireworks emotionally from both of us. It is going to be his first Grand Slam final,” Djokovic said after beating Cameron Norrie in the semifinal.

“He is very excited and he doesn’t have much to lose and he is always playing like that. He is playing so freely, one of the biggest serves in the game. Just a big game overall, a lot of power in his shots .

“We haven’t played for some time. I have never won a set off him. Hopefully it can be different this time.”

1 pm: Hello, and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of the men’s final at Wimbledon. Novak Djokovic has been here eight times before in a Wimbledon final but this is Nick Kyrgios’ first time in a Grand Slam final.

How will he handle the pressure? Will nerves get the better of him? Can Djokovic win an incredible 21st Grand Slam.

We’ll be finding out the answers to all of that in a few hours time! Stay tuned for build up and live game-by-game updates.




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