Nick Kyrgios: ‘If I was up against anyone else but Novak Djokovic, I would have won’

Nick Kyrgios believes that if he was played anyone but Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, he would be a Grand Slam champion by now.

Kyrgios had a dream run at SW19 as he played some brilliant grasscourt tennis to power his way all the way to the final.

It was his first major final and provided a tantalising insight into what he could achieve if he had devoted himself more to tennis throughout his career.

On the day, he played well too and won the first set. However, a Novak Djokovic returning masterclass slowly broke down the Australians brilliant serving, and Kyrgios thinks that is something that only the 21-time Grand Slam winner could have done.

“Honestly, I feel as if my first slam final was impressive,” Kyrgios said in a Q&A in Atlanta, where he pulled out of the singles at the last minute with injury.

“Next time I would try to ride the emotional wave a little smoother but I realise how much was on the line.

“I feel if I was up against anyone else but Djokovic in the final with the way I served that day, I would [have] won.”

Nick Kyrgios also responded to a question about his on-court demeanour, which many believe shows him to be extremely egotistical.

He, though, says that anyone who believes that simply misunderstands him.

“People tend to confuse my confidence for arrogance because they’ve no idea what I’ve been through,” he said.

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