Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic have had their battles over the years, but it looks as though the ‘bromance’ is officially alive.
The Australian had said before the final that the pair had struck up an odd friendship, against all odds, while the Serb didn’t go quite as far – until his victory speech after a seventh Wimbledon crown.
“Nick, you’ll be back,” Djokovic said.
“Not just Wimbledon, but in finals. I know it’s tough to find consolation words after a tough loss like this, but you showed why you deserve to be one of the best players in the world, particularly on this surface.”
AS IT HAPPENED: Super Djokovic seizes Wimbledon crown again
READ MORE: Kyrgios explains encounter with ‘drunk’ fan
READ MORE: Desperate Tigers issue SOS to legendary coach
READ MORE: Norman fumes at ‘petty’ and ruthless snubbing
The pair have clashed plenty of times in the past, with Kyrgios’ comments on a podcast in 2019 massively inflaming the situation.
But that now seems like water under the bridge.
“I wish you all the best man, I really respect you a lot – I think you are phenomenal tennis player, an athlete, an amazing talent,” Djokovic said.
“I never thought I’m going to say so many nice things about you, considering the relationship,” he continued as Kyrgios laughed and the crowd cheered.
“Okay, it’s officially a bromance.”
That’s the term that Kyrgios had used earlier in the week, with the pair later agreeing to go to dinner, with whomever won the final picking up the bill.
“That’s why he lost,” Djokovic joked.
“I don’t know if we’re going to make it happen tonight, or some other night – but hopefully this is the start of a wonderful relationship between the two of us,” he added to more laughter.
It was a sensational four sets of tennis, with Kyrgios getting on top early before Djokovic took his game, and particularly his returns, to another level from the second set onwards.
Djokovic conceded it was ‘frustrating’ to get aced so many times, but praised the work of his return game, as well as his own serve in key moments.
“I felt the ball really well from the back of the court, I thought I served well at moments – I think I could have served better, particularly second serves – but again, it’s the Wimbledon final.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!