Aussie Star Reflects on Epic Runner-Up Finish in UTR Interview, Praises Serb’s Clutch Prowess While Lamenting Tie-Break Woes.

Nick Kyrgios

Tennis firebrand Nick Kyrgios has stirred debate by asserting he’d have triumphed in the 2022 Wimbledon final had Rafael Nadal been his opponent instead of Novak Djokovic, crediting the Serbian legend’s unmatched composure for his 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(7-3) defeat.

Kyrgios on the Final: “Djokovic Broke Me When I Was 40-0 Up”

In a candid chat with Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) alongside Alexander Bublik and Patrick Mouratoglou, the Australian dissected his maiden Grand Slam final, where he stunned by snatching the opener but faltered in pivotal moments. “I don’t think I could have done better. I was solid overall. I just played a bad tie-break in the fourth set. He also broke me when I was 40-0 up on my serve in the third, that’s just unthinkable,” Kyrgios lamented, highlighting Djokovic’s predatory returns.

The 30-year-old, sidelined by wrist and knee issues since, praised his foe’s pedigree: “He’s so strong… in his thirtieth final, something like that, whereas it was my first.” Yet, he pivoted to Nadal: “If I had played someone like Rafa in the final, I would have done better. But Novak is different.” Kyrgios elaborated, “I served my best but he broke me 3/4 times. Whenever there’s an important point, he’s always there. He’s locked in.”

2022 Run: From Wildcard to Historic Final

As a wildcard entrant, Kyrgios blazed to his lone Major final, toppling Stefanos Tsitsipas in a controversy-laced quarterfinal and ousting Brandon Nakashima in the semis, becoming the first unseeded man to reach the Wimbledon decider since 2008. Nadal’s shock round-of-64 exit to Ludovic Giotti gifted him a bye straight into the championship match against the defending champion.

Djokovic, chasing a seventh All England crown, weathered the early storm, conceding just one set en route, and sealed his 21st Slam title (now 24) in a Centre Court classic that showcased Kyrgios’s boom-or-bust brilliance: 26 aces, 75 winners, but 52 unforced errors.

Head-to-Head Context: Kyrgios vs Nadal/Djokovic

Kyrgios holds a 2-0 edge over Nadal on grass, including a 2019 Wimbledon upset, but the Spaniard leads overall 4-3. Against Djokovic, it’s 1-3, with the Aussie’s lone win a 2022 Rome thriller. His Nadal nod underscores stylistic edges on turf, serve-volley flair trumping Rafa’s baseline grind, while Djokovic’s return mastery proved kryptonite.

Kyrgios’s Comeback and UTS Spotlight

Injury-plagued and ranked 633rd, Kyrgios eyes a 2026 Australian Open return, fresh off an Atlanta exhibition win over Ben Shelton and an upcoming “Battle of the Sexes” vs Aryna Sabalenka on December 28. The UTS appearance, part of his podcast empire, keeps his voice booming, blending bravado with introspection.

Kyrgios’s what-if fuels eternal GOAT debates: Would Nadal’s hip woes (post-2022 French Open) have handed the trophy to the disruptor? As Wimbledon 2026 looms, his words remind: In tennis’s theater, hypotheticals are half the thrill.