Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has triumphed at Wimbledon for the seventh time, winning his 21st Grand Slam title overall.
The 35-year-old Serb defeated unseeded challenger Nick Kyrgios 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) in an emotional and high-class final. The international press writes:
Australia:
“Sydney Morning Herald”: “Kyrgios may have lost in four sets to Novak Djokovic, but his development in this tournament has shown him even what most people have known for a decade: Kyrgios doesn’t just cash in, he’s not just a circus clown providing “entertainment” – he’s a world-class player who can win Grand Slams. (…) But will he be back? Was this the culmination of his strange, often meandering career or the start of something greater?”
“Australian Associated Press”: “Nick Kyrgios may not be making any promises, but he finally feels he belongs on the big stages and can chase the big titles in tennis, even if he is painfully defeated in his first Grand Slam final.”
“The Australian: “Kyrgios is losing the war…. Against himself.”
“The Guardian Australia”: “Kyrgios has marched through these two weeks like a difficult guest at a church fete. The hat. The lamenting. The endless back and forth with spectators (…). There is a Chinese saying that losers in sporting competitions should rejoice because their opponent is teaching them valuable lessons. For Kyrgios, his best years, and who knows, maybe even his own future happiness, will probably be defined by how much he absorbs from that lesson. “
Great Britain:
“The Mirror”: “Novak Djokovic seals his seventh Wimbledon triumph, Nick Kyrgios scolds his way through a dramatic final. For Djokovic it is his fourth championship title in a row. The Serb has not been beaten at Wimbledon since losing in the quarter-finals in 2017. It’s a remarkable record.”
“The Times: ‘A masterful Novak Djokovic strikes back to defeat Nick Kyrgios to secure his 21st Grand Slam title. Ultimately, Novak Djokovic’s experience and professionalism are crucial in a fascinating Wimbledon final against Nick Kyrgios. On the court he knows like the back of his hand, he deciphers his fearless Australian opponent.”
“The Sun”: “Novak rules. (…) A Wimbledon final with Nick Kyrgios can never be a calm, civilised affair. The controversial Australian hothead rants and swears his way to defeat.”
“Daily Mail: ‘The best won…and he would have beaten anyone in this assured and brilliant form. Novak Djokovic snatched the Wimbledon title from Nick Kyrgios with a Zen-like calm. It was billed as a battle of the bad boys, but there is little that is bad about this year’s Wimbledon champion. “
Serbia:
“Vecernje Novosti”: Under the headline “The absolute ruler of Wimbledon”, the paper writes: “In the final, Novak defeated Kyrgios 3:1 to win his fourth title in a row. (…) After a year, after last year’s Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic finally won another Grand Slam title. In the meantime, he survived the Golgotha of Melbourne, missed the opener of this season until the situation around him calmed down. His fans can now take heart again, especially because of the way he shone at Wimbledon, all the way to the final.”
“Blic” has a big headline: “Novak 007”, alluding to his seventh Wimbledon victory. The paper continues: “The grass of Wimbledon tastes best. Novak kept to tradition, for the fourth time in a row. (…) After the decisive match ball, he first went to the net to congratulate his opponent Nick Kyrgios. Then he indulged in tradition (of his own making), squatted down and ate some grass from the grass court.”
“Politika” headlines: “The return of the king”. Further: “Kyrgios took the lead in the fourth set, and then it went on game after game without either of them managing a break. Both thrilled the fans at times with great moves. The winner had to be decided in the tie-break. The Serb shone in it and deservedly triumphed for the seventh time at Wimbledon. “
