Sent home from Australia in January for refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19, Djokovic has now equaled Pete Sampras on seven wins and taken his grand slam tally to 21, one more than Roger Federer and one behind by Rafael Nadal. “Obviously I’m over the moon with joy and happiness to experience this moment once again,” Djokovic said. “I’ve said it many times, this tournament is very special to me because it was the first tournament I ever watched as a kid that got me started playing tennis. It is no coincidence that this place has such importance in my life and career. It’s a relief, too, considering what I’ve been through naturally this year. It adds more value and more meaning and more emotion, of course.” Kyrgios, appearing in his first grand slam final, admitted he was “tired” of losing, but said if he won he feared he would have lost motivation to achieve the ultimate goal of winning tennis’ biggest tournament. “I feel the trophy was within reach today,” he said. “[But] I feel like if I’d won that grand slam, I think I’d be a little bit demotivated, to be honest. Coming back for other tournaments, like 250s and stuff, I would struggle a lot. I [would] about [have] he achieved the highest peak of what you can achieve in tennis.” Djokovic said his expulsion from Australia had a big effect on his mental health. “This year was definitely not like last year,” he said. “It has started the way it has and it has definitely affected me in the first few months of the year. I wasn’t feeling well in general. I mean, mentally, emotionally, I wasn’t in a good place. “I wanted to play, but the moment I stepped on the pitch in Dubai, [which] it was the first tournament of the year, I just felt so much pressure and emotions going on. I didn’t feel myself on the pitch. I realized at that point that it’s going to take some time, that I have to be patient and sooner or later I’ll get to the state, the optimal state, where I’d like to be.” Djokovic lost to Nadal in the French Open quarterfinals and arrived at Wimbledon without a grass court practice. But for the fourth straight time he came out on top, weathering the storm after Kyrgios took the first set. The former world No 1 said the crucial difference was staying calm under pressure, such as when he was 0-40 down as he served for the second set at 5-3. “I knew that was probably one of the key elements today to win against him. Not that he doesn’t have a lineup, but he’s never played in a Wimbledon final. We know that he also has his ups and downs in the match. “My experience of playing in this type of situation before could ultimately decide [it]. This really happened. This 40 game game, he will probably be very upset with himself for losing this game. I didn’t win it. he lost that game with his effortless mistakes. I just hung in there and pushed him to the limit and got the payoff.” Kyrgios said he was still proud of his performance. “My level is there,” the Australian said. “I feel like you look at what Novak has done to some other opponents … I’m there. I played a slam final against one of the best of all time and I was there.” Djokovic may not be able to play at the US Open because of his vaccination stance, but he said he would still like to if possible. “I’d love to go,” he said. “[But] I have not been vaccinated and do not plan to be vaccinated, so the only good news I can have is that they will remove the mandatory vaccine green card or whatever you call it to enter the United States, or a waiver. I do not know. I don’t think the exception is realistically possible. I think it’s just whether they remove or not [the rules] in time to get to the US.” Quick guide

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Thanks for your response. If Djokovic is unable to play in New York or Australia next January, where he is banned from entering for three years, Djokovic may not play another grand slam tournament until next year’s French Open, when he will be 36. he said his desire remains as strong as ever. “I don’t feel like I’m really in a rush to finish my career in a year or two years or whatever. I don’t think about it. I want to keep my body healthy because that’s obviously necessary to continue at this level [and] Of course, I keep myself mentally healthy and motivated to compete with the young guns.”