Wimbledon 2022, men’s singles final as it happened: Novak Djokovic beats Nick Kyrgios in four sets

9.42 pm: Kyrgios hits one into the net and Djokovic completes another memorable win. Both players exchange a pleasant handshake at the net, with Kyrgios having a big smile, before the Serb does his customary routine of eating a bit of the Centre Court grass. What a fighter, what a player, what a legend! Final score: Novak Djokovic beat Nick Kyrgios 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3).

NOVAK DJOKOVIC IS THE CHAMPION

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-6 Nick Kyrgios: Djokovic leads 6-3 in the TB! Kyrgios wins both his points on serve but it seems it’ll be too little too late.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-6 Nick Kyrgios: 4-1 lead for Djokovic in the TB! Kyrgios loses both points on serve with errors and rants loudly at his box again.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-6 Nick Kyrgios: It’s on serve and 2-1 in the TB with Djokovic ahead. Both players winning a point on the other’s serve.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-6 Nick Kyrgios: Tie break time! Kyrgios got to 30-all but Djokovic didn’t panic and levelled up in the set. It all comes down to this for Kyrgios, he’s done well to stay in this set and has a serving advantage over Djokovic – but can he keep his focus?

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 5-6 Nick Kyrgios: It was tense but Kyrgios finds an ace to close out that game. He was up 40-15 and hit a cross court forehand which was called long, he didn’t challenge but the replay showed it had landed in. It felt Djokovic was going to land the killer blow but Kyrgios found another big serve at the end.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 5-5 Nick Kyrgios: Djokovic lost two points in that game but like Kyrgios, he found the big serve when he needed it to close out the game. This match is on a knife’s edge at the moment.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 4-5 Nick Kyrgios: Clutch serving from Kyrgios! Djokovic produced a jaw-dropping dig running forward to get the ball across Kyrgios for a winner, he then got to 30-all, but Kyrgios landed two big first serves then to close it out.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 4-4 Nick Kyrgios: Djokovic holds with ease. Kyrgios just isn’t getting a look in as he’s unable to keep the errors in check. But he needs to put this behind him and focus on serving... we’re entering the business end of the set.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-4 Nick Kyrgios: A quick hold for Kyrgios. He’s serving a whole lot better in this set. He’ll remain in the contest as long as he keeps this going but Djokovic is not facing much trouble while serving either.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-3 Nick Kyrgios: A love hold for Djokovic and the ball is back in Kyrgios’ court, literally and figuratively. Can the Aussie hold it together?

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 2-3 Nick Kyrgios: A bit of a scare for Kyrgios there. He led 40-0 but Djokovic won the next two points, the Aussie then ranted to his box again but managed to win the next point and close out the game.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 2-2 Nick Kyrgios: Djokovic double faulted in the first point of that game but he wins the next four to draw level in the set. Quiet period of play this – both players not showing much emotions and the crowd isn’t making much noise either.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 1-2 Nick Kyrgios: Big first serves and Kyrgios loses just a point before holding serve. He lost the first point of that game after chasing a drop shot by Djokovic and hitting it long, but regrouped himself nicely to win four straight points.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 1-1 Nick Kyrgios: Djokovic holds to love. But positive sign for the Kyrgios box as he didn’t rant in that game.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 0-1 Nick Kyrgios: Kyrgios holds relatively comfortably to get going in the fourth set. He has to focus on his serves to get cheap points and conserve energy. It’s going to be tough because the Djokovic is seeing the ball like a hawk.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 Nick Kyrgios: THIRD SET DJOKOVIC! The three-time defending champ is one set away from winning a seventh Wimbledon title. He’s going off now for a change of clothes perhaps. Kyrgios was playing so well in the first set but it’s gone downhill for him since then... rapidly in the third set. He has the game, but does he have the fortitude to fight back from here. It’s the biggest match of his career so far, will that spur him on?

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 5-4 Nick Kyrgios: SERVICE BREAK! Well, as well as Djokovic is playing, this is definitely a case of Kyrgios imploding. He was up 40-0 but lost five straight points with Djokovic having to do little apart from landing brilliant return of serves. Kyrgios asking his box to sit down and not cheer for him, for what feels like the 10th time so far in this match.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 4-4 Nick Kyrgios: A love hold for Djokovic. The defending champ is going about his business quietly and the pressure seems to be mounting on Kyrgios. A big game coming up as we enter the business end of the set. Can Kyrgios hold his nerve and his serve?

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 3-4 Nick Kyrgios: Kyrgios holds after Djokovic gets to 30. The defending champ suffering a nasty looking fall in that game after trying to get to a serve. But he looks fine. Kyrgios, meanwhile, can’t stop ranting to his box. Tough to say what’s bothering him.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 3-3 Nick Kyrgios: Djokovic gets to 40-0 and then serves a double fault but closes out the game with a well-disguised drop winner.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 2-3 Nick Kyrgios: Another big hold for Kyrgios after Djokovic gets to deuce. But the bigger talking point is that Nick is livid with a fan talking loudly in one of the front rows. He’s going at it with the chair umpire in the changeover. Kyrgios wants the umpire to do something about it. This is first really meltdown in the match... could go either way for him.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 2-2 Nick Kyrgios: A comfortable hold for Djokovic, under the circumstances. The defending champ is few emotions and is locked in.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 1-2 Nick Kyrgios: The rants are getting louder but Kyrgios manages to hold. Djokovic got to deuce in that game but the Aussie landed big first serves to close it out. Get a feeling the winner of this set will win the match. Fascinating contest, this.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 1-1 Nick Kyrgios: Djokovic manages to hold after Kyrgios gets to 30. The Serb is continuing to find first serves when he needs them most. Kyrgios, meanwhile, is doing a comparatively good job at holding his emotions, he’s even playing with great intensity, but the errors from his racket are mounting. That, of course is also because of the intense pressure he’s being put under.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 0-1 Nick Kyrgios: Big hold for Kyrgios! He saves two break points before landing those big first serves and closing it out. Djokovic is playing close to his best now, retrieving nearly everything, and Nick is having to hit multiple winners to win one point.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-3 Nick Kyrgios: SECOND SET DJOKOVIC! Wow! The defending champ saves FOUR break points before closing out the set. Clutch, clutch play there. Kyrgios was incredibly frustrated with himself in that game but kept making errors. Djokovic, meanwhile, remained stoic till he won the last point and then let out a loud roar. We are level, folks! What a battle this is turning into.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 5-3 Nick Kyrgios: WHAT A POINT! Djokovic starts the game with a double fault before pinning Kyrgios in the backhand corner in the next point, but the Aussie scrambles at full tilt to get to Djokovic’s drop shot and flicks a cross court winner with the defending champ left on the floor. He is up 0-30 and is absolutely pumped!

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 5-3 Nick Kyrgios: Kyrgios manages to hold after Djokovic wins a couple of points. Now over to the defending champ to close out the set. Can he draw level in the match? He’ll need his first serves again for sure.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 5-2 Nick Kyrgios: Another tough hold for Djokovic. Kyrgios managed to get to 15-30 but Djokovic landed a couple of big first serves before Nick went too hard and hit one long. The Aussie hasn’t given up on this set at all but he needs to hold serve first before getting another chance to possibly break.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 4-2 Nick Kyrgios: A relatively comfortable hold by Kyrgios. He’s finding his spots with the forehand and would want to find ways to hit more of those.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 4-1 Nick Kyrgios: A tough hold but a hold nonetheless. Djokovic consolidates the break after Kyrgios manages to get to deuce. The Aussie played with good intensity in that game after getting broken, which is a good sign, but the Serb has found his range and is dictating points.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 3-1 Nick Kyrgios: SERVICE BREAK! The first time Djokovic has ever broken Kyrgios in his career. Wow! Stunning return of serves there from the defending champion and he kept rattling Nick with cross court backhands. The Aussie mouthing off for the first time in the match too. Game on!

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 2-1 Nick Kyrgios: Much better from Djokovic! Kyrgios managed to get to 30-all but the Serb raised his game thereafter. He first one a lengthy rally by pinning Kyrgios in the backhand corner and drawing an error, before closing out the game with a brilliantly-disguised drop winner.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 1-1 Nick Kyrgios: Kyrgios gets to 40-0 before Djokovic wins consecutive points, but the Aussie lands another big serve wide to the deuce court and draws the error. This continues to be a serving battle mostly.

Novak Djokovic 4-6, 1-0 Nick Kyrgios: A third consecutive love hold for Djokovic. He’s looking calm and determined, as he usually does in such situations. This is going to be a big test for Kyrgios – to remain in the zone when in the lead.

Kyrgios won 21 out of 26 points on his serve in the first set, bringing out some big second serves too.

Novak Djokovic 4-6 Nick Kyrgios: FIRST SET KYRGIOS! The Australian did show a bit of nerves in that game, with Djokovic even getting to deuce, but he lands two massive first serves in – the second being an ace – to close out the set. Kyrgios is playing at a very high level but Djokovic will not panic. He’s turned things around from such situations a number of times in his career. This match is living up to its billing!

Novak Djokovic 4-5 Nick Kyrgios: Fourth game in a row with a hold to love. Djokovic getting the job done there and now Kyrgios will be serving for the set. He’s served like a dream so far, but will he feel the nerves as he attempts to take the lead in the match?

Novak Djokovic 3-5 Nick Kyrgios: Ace after ace from Kyrgios and he holds to love for a third time! This is incredibly good from the Aussie. Djokovic is arguably the greatest returner of all time but he’s going to struggle if Nick keeps up this level.

Points won on serve so far by Kyrgios: 12/14.

Novak Djokovic 3-4 Nick Kyrgios: Now Djokovic holds to love! Much better from the Serb, he rushed to the net repeatedly in that game and rushed the Aussie. Nick pulled out a tweener too but Novak put the volley away.

Novak Djokovic 2-4 Nick Kyrgios: Another love hold by Kyrgios! He’s lost just two points on serve so far in the match. He’s hitting his spots and going hard with second serves too. Djokovic will need to regroup here.

Novak Djokovic 2-3 Nick Kyrgios: SERVICE BREAK! Djokovic double faults again to hand Kyrgios the break. The Australian got to 15-40 with a backhand down the line which Djokovic couldn’t return from the net. The Serb saved the first break point but erred in the second. Definite nerves there as Nick rushes to his seat, pumped.

Novak Djokovic 2-2 Nick Kyrgios: Serve and volley followed by a couple of aces and Kyrgios holds to love. The Australian is always incredibly tough to beat if he’s serving well, especially on grass of course.

Novak Djokovic 2-1 Nick Kyrgios: Never a dull moment when Nick Kyrgios is on court. He hits a stunning forehand winner down the line – a shot that curled and dipped viciously. But Djokovic lands some first serves and closes out the game relatively comfortably. We remain on serve in the first set.

Novak Djokovic 1-1 Nick Kyrgios: Kyrgios turning it on in his first service game! A 130-plus kmph second serve ace, followed by an underarm serve that Djokovic gets to before winning the point. But the Aussie manages to close out the game.

Novak Djokovic 1-0 Nick Kyrgios: The defending champion starts the match with a double fault but manages to get on the board. A couple of errors from Nick. Very much a cagey start their from both players.

6.39 pm: The warmups are done and we’re ready for play!

6.33 pm: Nick Kyrgios lets out a massive yawn as the players make their way out to the Centre Court. The Australian is clearly not too nervous about this. He has won the toss and opted to receive.

Highlights from the two times Djokovic and Kyrgios have faced each other so far in their careers:

6.30 pm: Hello and welcome to live coverage of Wimbledon 2022 men’s singles final between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios.

Djokovic is gunning for his seventh All England title while Kyrgios is aiming to win his first Grand Slam title. The three-time defending champion from Serbia is yet to defeat the Australian, with Kyrgios winning both their matches so far on the ATP Tour (way back in 2017, though). Djokovic will enter the match as the favourite but Kyrgios has the game to beat the best and on grass, he’s definitely a strong contender. It promises to be a cracking contest!