Djokovic gets a another at Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON,  England—Maybe Novak Djokovic should be recognized as the superior tennis player he has become. Maybe he already is.

But his stubbornness against being vaccinated and subsequent expulsion from Australia over the issue  made many ignore the game he plays and instead concentrate on his viewpoint.

When on a gloriously warm Sunday, Djokovic defeated Nick Kyrgios, 4-6, 6-3. 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) he became the fourth man to win Wimbledon at least seven times.

Two of the others you probably know-- Roger Federer—with eight-- and Pete Sampras. The other. William Renshaw was back in the 1800’s. Yes. They had racquets back then.

What Djokovic, 35-year-old Serb, has along with a forehand and backhand, is remarkable mental toughness.

How many other Grand Slam tournament winners ever have  been deported as was the man known as the Joker?

Or have the fine relationship with an opponent he defeated?.

Kyrgios, a loose cannon at times, was a heavy underdog to pal Djokovic in his first Slam tournament final.

“I was just happy with the results,” said  Kyrgios. “With any luck at all I’ll be back here again.

Djokovic, properly magnanimous after his 21st  win in a Slam tournament, one fewer than Rafael Nadal, followed that with “You’ll be back. You showed you deserved to be here. You’ve been called a talent, now you’ve lived up to that.”

Kyrgios, the 27 year-old Australian more famous (infamous?) for stunts he pulled than victories produced, seemed stunned by Djokovic’s comments

Then, as the Serb stood alongside Kyrgios, and with the Duchess of Windsor not far away in the  Royal Box, Djokovic—by now everyone should know the “D” is silent—went on.

What he didn’t say, however. or more accurately, didn’t ask, was  How many other Grand Slam tournament winners ever have been deported?

He went Down Under and never got see a kangaroo or a practice court.

Remember the Aussies chased him away at the border, which is international rudeness which no matter whether an individual has received Covid-19 vaccine or Or have the fine relationship with an  opponent he defeated?.

Kyrgios, a loose cannon at times, was a heavy underdog to pal Djokovic who was in a Slam tournament final.

“ I was just happy with the results,” he  told the Centre Court crowd. Djokovic was even happier. He lost the first set, but then swiftly and surgically, demonstrated qualities that made him one of the game’s all time best.

Djokovic,’  you showed you deserved to be here. Your talent is great. Oh, I said too many nice things about you. I better stop because I don’t want to ruin our relationship.

“When I was a boy in 2002, I watched Pete Sampras in Wimbledon and I asked my dad to buy me a racquet. And I learned to play on grass courts. I love this place. And Wimbledon certainly has returned the affection.

“He did everything so easy,’ said Kyrgios. “It was so impressive.

 As Wimbledon wins are supposed to be.’