Djokovic, Kyrgios, and the Wimbledon ghost that refuses to leave

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios has stated that he does not like Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic for losing against Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final last year. The 37-year-old is often regarded as the greatest player in the history of men’s tennis in the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles in his illustrious career.

Kyrgios, who is currently on the sidelines because of a fitness concern and is working as a pundit during Wimbledon 2024, was recently quoted in a report in which he stated that he does not like Djokovic because he lost in his first final to Alcaraz, whereas he did not lose to him when the two faced off in the grand finale a few years back.

"I still don't like you Novak if you're listening. You gave Carlos one year but you didn't give me one," Kyrgios said. "It is still one of the best matches I've watched. One of the only ones from start to finish."

Djokovic defeated Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final in 2022 with a score of 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 7–6(7–3). On the other hand, the former world number one lost to Alcaraz in the mega-event final in a five-set thriller in 2023 with a score of 1–6, 7–6(8–6), 6–1, 3–6, 6–4.

Djokovic is currently competing at Wimbledon, where he has booked his place in the third round after beating Jacob Fearnley in the second round with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5. He will face Alexei Popyrin. The 24-year-old defeated Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. On the other hand, Alcaraz is also playing at Wimbledon, where he has booked a place in the third round after beating Aleksandar Vukic in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-2, 6-2.