Sleepless night for Nick Kyrgios after Wimbledon final spot was confirmed
Kyrgios was handed a walkover after Rafael Nadal withdrew due to an abdominal injury.
Nick Kyrgios admitted he could not sleep after hearing the news that he is a Wimbledon finalist.
Rafael Nadal, Kyrgios’ semi-final opponent, stunned the Championships on Thursday evening when he revealed he would have to withdraw from the match due to his abdominal injury.
The Spaniard’s decision comes as a huge blow to the tournament, robbing it of one of the most highly-anticipated matches of the year.
“I found out last night at dinner,” said Kyrgios. “Honestly my first feeling was a bit of disappointment.
“My energy was so focused on playing him and tactically how I’m going to go out there and play, the emotions of walking out there, all that type of stuff.
“I had a shocking sleep last night. I probably got an hour’s sleep just with everything, like the excitement.
“I had so much anxiety, I was already feeling so nervous, and I don’t feel nervous usually.
“I was just restless, so many thoughts in my head about a Wimbledon final. That’s all I was thinking about, imagining myself winning, imagining myself losing, everything.
“I know that I have to kind of just calm down. There’s still a couple days until that moment. Hopefully tonight I’ll get a better rest, a chamomile tea and a better rest.”
A place in the final looked a million miles away for Kyrgios when he was struggling to beat British wild card Paul Jubb in five sets in the first round.
His wild journey to the final, featuring run-ins with line judges, umpires, opponents, the media and even the crowd, has prompted headlines such as “a menace to tennis” and “Wimbledon’s worst nightmare”, among others.
“I’m in a Wimbledon final. I know deep down everything I’ve gone through and I’ve worked for. I just try to enjoy the ride. If that’s what they want to write, I guess that’s what they want to write. I can only control what I do.
“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 I’m just going to give it my best shot.”
