By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday, July 10, 2022
Goran Ivanisevic tells reporters that it was a fruitless endeavor to draw up a gameplan for Nick Kyrgios. Simply put, the Aussie is just too unpredictable.
Whether or not the Croatian’s words are true, or if he’s using some poetic license to avoid giving away of Djokovic’s tried-and-true tactics, it was still interesting to hear the former Wimbledon champ toss praise in the Aussie’s direction after Djokovic topped Kyrgios 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) in three hours and one minute on Sunday.
“You cannot prepare a match against Nick Kyrgios,” he said. “Nick Kyrgios is a genius, tennis genius.
Ivanisevic says part of the problem about preparing for Nick is the Aussie’s spontaneity.
“He doesn’t know what he’s going to play next in the point,” the 2001 Wimbledon singles champion said. “We just concentrate what Novak has to do, the things he has to do, the things he has to be careful [of]. “When somebody [is] serving like Nick Kyrgios – for me [he] is the best server in the game by far. Unbelievable tennis player, is very unpredictable – it’s impossible to make a tactics.
Ivanisevic was impressed with how Kyrgios can defuse Djokovic – considered the best returner in the world – by most, for long spells.
“15 minutes, best returner in the world, he does not touch his serve,” Ivanisevic said, adding that Djokovic had to be – and was – opportunistic in the contest.
“You get the chance, then he breaks him.”
Ivanisevic said that he and Djokovic stressed the importance of staying the course, and being ready to capitalize when Kyrgios’ level dropped.
“That is what we saw happen in the critical ninth game of the third set. Kyrgios led 40-0, after banging two aces and a service winner to start. But he missed first serves and volleys on each of the next two points. Then, at 40-30 Djokovic pounced, smacking a handy forehand return that put Kyrgios on the back foot. It led to a forehand down-the-line winner by the Serb on the next shot.
From deuce, things unravelled quickly with a double-fault by Kyrgios and a backhand error on break point.
You could feel that Djokovic was perpetually ready for moments like these. He couldn’t afford to go to sleep and miss out on an opportunity like the one presented. Not with the way Kyrgios was serving. Not in a Wimbledon final, at a set apiece and four games apiece.
“Key point was to concentrate on what Novak has to do, and just to stick to…
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