Guernsey Press

Nick Kyrgios Wimbledon timeline: The trials, tribulations and terrific tennis

A look at an eventful fortnight for the Australian at the All England Club.

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Nick Kyrgios saw his eventful Wimbledon Championships end with a four-set defeat to Novak Djokovic.

The controversial Australian has had various run-ins with umpires, line judges, opponents, the media and even the crowd during his rollercoaster fortnight.

Here, the PA news agency looks at his time in SW19.

Tuesday, June 28

Nick Kyrgios had an action-packed start to the tournament
Nick Kyrgios had an action-packed start to the tournament (Adam Davy/PA)

Thursday, June 30
By contrast, the 27-year-old was on his best behaviour on Court Two as he dispatched Filip Krajinovic, the 26th seed, in straight sets dropping only three games.

“He later told reporters: “I just feel like people don’t give me the respect sometimes because of other things that I do. There was just nothing the media possibly could tell me I did wrong today. And I love it because then you can’t write anything.”

Saturday, July 2

Nick Kyrgios saw off Stefanos Tsitsipas in a memorable clash in the third round
Nick Kyrgios saw off Stefanos Tsitsipas in a memorable clash in the third round (Steven Paston/PA)

Kyrgios, who was given a warning for swearing, argued furiously with the umpire and then the supervisor, but it was Tsitsipas who later received a point penalty for launching a second ball towards the wall in frustration.

Tsitsipas, beaten in four sets, branded his opponent a “bully” while Kyrgios responded by calling him “soft”. Both players were fined for their conduct.

Monday, July 4
After the drama and recriminations of two days earlier, the Australian’s fourth-round match against Brandon Nakashima on Centre Court was a much less tempestuous affair.

Kyrgios struggled with a shoulder problem but recovered from a set down and then clinched the decider against 20-year-old American Nakashima.

Fuelled by his critics, Kyrgios said: “I sit here now in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon again, and I just know there’s so many people that are so upset.”

Tuesday, July 5

Nick Kyrgios remained quiet after he practised at Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios remained quiet after he practised at Wimbledon (Adam Davy/PA)

Kyrgios remained tight-lipped as he was confronted by reporters after a practice session at Aorangi Park. He later said he had been advised by lawyers not to comment.

Wednesday, July 6
Kyrgios put his personal issues behind him with a seasoned performance as he efficiently beat Cristian Garin of Chile in straight sets on Court One. After the match Kyrgios sat in his chair for a couple of minutes soaking in the achievement.

“What was going through my mind? Just how things can change,” he said. “There was a point where I was almost done with the sport. To be a semi-finalist at Wimbledon, it’s a special accomplishment for anyone, but I think especially for me.”

The win set up a mouth-watering last-four showdown with Rafael Nadal.

Thursday, July 7

Rafael Nadal announced his retirement at a press conference
Rafael Nadal announced his retirement at a press conference (Joe Toth/PA)

Friday, July 8
A playful Kyrgios spoke to the media about his relationship with Novak Djokovic, his opponent in the final, which has previously been frosty but was now more of a “bromance”

Kyrgios caused a stir on a podcast in 2019 when he branded Djokovic “cringeworthy” and claimed he was obsessed with wanting to be liked. Now they exchange messages on Instagram.

Sunday, July 10

But as Djokovic began to exert control Kyrgios’ histrionics resurfaced. He got a code violation for swearing – in front of Prince George, no less – and demanded a “drunk” female spectator be removed from the crowd. A valiant attempt to dethrone Djokovic ended in a 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (3) defeat.

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