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 - he could be using some poetic license to avoid giving away Djokovic’s tried-and-true tactics - they were still interesting words to hear the former Wimbledon champ. He tossed ample 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 Kyrgios 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 is the best server in the game by far – it's impossible to make tactics.

Ivanisevic was impressed with how Kyrgios was able to defuse Djokovic – considered the best returner in the world, by many – for long spells of the match.

“15 minutes, best returner in the world, he does not touch his serve,” Ivanisevic said, adding that Djokovic had to be opportunistic to prevail 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: a double-fault by Kyrgios and a backhand error on break point.

5-4, Djokovic, just like that.

You could feel that Djokovic was perpetually ready for moments like these on Sunday. He had to be, and he knew it. The way Kyrgios was serving, it was the only way through.

“Key point was to concentrate on what Novak has to do, and just to stick to those little things,” said Ivanisevic. “To be ready for the big serves, for the big second serve winners.

“But also he knew on this stage, when Nick starts to talk, he's going to be vulnerable. You know, that happened. Happened in the third set when Nick was 40-Love up... 4-All, suddenly Novak broke him and he was talking to his box - that's Nick.

“You need to take every chance you get because you don't have too many chances.”