Advanced Edition: Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios face off in Wimbledon fortnight finale

The 2022 Wimbledon men’s final has a little something for everyone: those invested in the never-ending GOAT wars between Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer can watch Djokovic compete for a 21st major title, while others eager to see the younger generation earn the spotlight will see Nick Kyrgios serve as the latest new-guard challenger in his first Grand Slam final.

Djokovic and Kyrgios will face off for the first time in five years, when the Aussie scored back-to-back wins over the then-stagnating Serb and ignited a cold war that continued until this year’s Australian Open.

“We actually message each other on DMs in Instagram now and stuff,” Kyrgios said in pre-finals press. “It's real weird. Actually, like, earlier in the week, he was like, ‘Hopefully I'll see you Sunday.’”

Djokovic got his wish, but in between tomorrow and a trip to the club, will he come away with a seventh Wimbledon trophy? Here’s the case for both men:

Why Djokovic Will Win

The anticipated renewal of Djokovic and Nadal’s prolific rivalry was quashed when the Spaniard was forced to pull out of the Championships and end his bid for not only a 23rd major title but also a Calendar Year Grand Slam. Since his own CYGS quest came to a heartbreaking conclusion at the 2021 US Open, Djokovic is 0 for 2 at the last two major tournaments, and a likely inability to play in the United States this summer makes Wimbledon his final shot of the season.

“I'm aware of what's on the line,” he said after a four-set semifinal against Cameron Norrie. “I mean, every match, every Grand Slam that I get to play at this stage of my career, there is a lot on the line. I don't know how many Grand Slam opportunities to win the trophy I will still have, as I will have in few days' time.

“So, of course, I'm approaching it with positive attitude and self-belief and willingness to win. There's no doubt about it.”

The experience that I have at this level, playing in the finals against someone that has never played a Grand Slam final, could be slightly in my favor. But at the same time, knowing who he is and how he goes about his tennis and his attitude on the court, he doesn't seem to be falling under pressure much. Novak Djokovic

That self-belief hasn’t always been on display, leading to some slow starts against Kwon Soon-Woo, Tim Rijthoven, and, most troublingly, Jannik Sinner, whom he trailed by two sets to love in their hotly-contested quarterfinal.

Djokovic began his semifinal against Norrie in similar fashion but he soon came online to power into a record 32nd Grand Slam final. How will he balance those baseline nerves with finals pressure in the midst of a 12-month major drought?

“The experience that I have at this level, playing in the finals against someone that has never played a Grand Slam final, could be slightly in my favor,” Djokovic muses. “But at the same time, knowing who he is and how he goes about his tennis and his attitude on the court, he doesn't seem to be falling under pressure much.”

One surely doesn’t win 20 majors without picking up a little muscle memory, the likes of which will be essential as he prepares to play what will surely be a very different kind of final.

Why Kyrgios Will Win

Where Kyrgios lacks for Djokovic’s substantive hardware, he compensates with endless style and potential—the combination of which typically begging the plaintive question: When will Nick get out of his own way? Even as past demons continue to haunt him, what the 27-year-old asserts is a new and improved Nick has largely been a revelation this fortnight—particularly in the wake of his poorly-reviewed performance against No. 4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Forced to battle claims he bullied his Greek opponent, Kyrgios has been much calmer in clashes with Brandon Nakashima and Cristian Garin. Nadal’s withdrawal means the final will be his first match in three days.

“Obviously at a Grand Slam you want to have those matches,” he said. “I think in a way, exactly right what you said, the competitive juices, you want to have those going, the adrenaline. That's just something that I'm going to have to go into the final without that semifinal kind of experience.

“But that's okay. I'm going to take every positive. I get to rest my body a little bit. It's not bad going in there feeling fresh.”

I'm just going to go out there and enjoy the moment. Since I was born, only eight people have ever won this title, like eight people. So, like, I don't know. I'm just going to give it my best shot. Nick Kyrgios

After amassing a tour-leading 11 wins on grass, Kyrgios can certainly use the rest after his busiest stretch of the season, but it may all come down to how he’s handled the last 72 hours.

“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 final to come already.”

No more waiting, Nick: today’s the day for you to become the champion many always believed you could be. Should he control the chaos and enjoy a steady serving day, this may be his best opportunity to do it.

DK’s Pick: Kyrgios