“I think about it every day” Nick Kyrgios reflects on Wimbledon final regret against Djokovic

Nick Kyrgios has revisited one of the defining matches of his career, admitting that his loss in the 2022 Wimbledon final continues to weigh heavily on him. Speaking on the Good Trouble With Nick Kyrgios alongside NBA legend Allen Iverson, the Australian reflected on how close he came to securing a maiden Grand Slam title.

The 30-year-old reached his only major final at the All England Club in 2022, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas and Cristian Garin before advancing via a walkover against Rafael Nadal. In the final, Kyrgios took the opening set against Novak Djokovic before ultimately losing in four sets.

That moment, he suggested, remains a turning point in how he evaluates his career. Kyrgios described the opportunity as one that could have reshaped his legacy within the sport, particularly given the weight placed on Grand Slam titles in tennis.

Since then, injuries have significantly limited his time on court. Kyrgios has undergone multiple surgeries in recent years and has struggled to maintain continuity on the ATP Tour, raising questions about whether he will be able to return to the level required to contend at majors.

Kyrgios acknowledged that the Wimbledon final remains a constant reference point in his thinking, describing it as a moment that continues to linger. He pointed specifically to his early advantage in the match, having taken the first set against Djokovic.

"I played finals of Wimbledon a couple of years ago, and I played Novak Djokovic in the final,” the former world No. 13 said. “I won the first set, I'm right there, two sets away from basically becoming immortal in the sport. I think about it every day, it still bothers me, and I still get asked about it."

He expanded on the significance of that opportunity, linking it directly to how success is measured at the highest level of the sport. In his view, Grand Slam titles remain the defining metric for a player’s legacy, regardless of consistency elsewhere on tour.

"In tennis, to win a grand slam, that's all everyone cares about,” the Australian added. “You could have an amazing season, but at the end of the day, if you don't have a grand slam, you'll be forgotten. I was right there, and I just didn't capitalise on it. Now, I'm still playing, but whether or not I'll have that opportunity again, I'm not sure."

Kyrgios also addressed the physical challenges that have shaped his recent seasons, noting that repeated injuries have affected both his performance and his outlook on competition. His last ATP singles win came at the 2025 Miami Open, marking his first victory at that level since 2022.

The Australian attempted a return at the start of 2026 but suffered a straight-sets defeat at the Brisbane International before withdrawing from a planned singles appearance at the Australian Open. He instead competed in doubles and mixed doubles, reflecting a more cautious approach to his schedule.

"I got so close… I think about it, and I feel like now, I'm not physically… I've had four surgeries, three surgeries in the last couple of years. So I feel my body isn't as elite as it used to be."

Despite those limitations, Kyrgios indicated that his motivation for continuing has shifted, placing less emphasis on results and more on engagement with fans. He suggested that his current role on tour is defined as much by entertainment as by competition.

"All I do now is play for the fans. I still have a massive following,” he said. “Now, I just enjoy going out there for the fans and putting on a crazy show, seeing the kids out there, that's basically why I'm playing now."

Kyrgios has previously outlined plans to feature during the grass-court season and in exhibition formats such as Ultimate Tennis Showdown in 2026, indicating that while his priorities may have evolved, he is not yet considering retirement.