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Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios will battle it out in one of the most exciting Wimbledon final matchups in recent memory.
The world No.1 Serb has promised “fireworks” in the decider when two of the sport’s most colourful — and polarising figures — face off.
Here’s what’s at stake.
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DRAW: How stars aligned for unseeded Nick Kyrgios
WHEN IS IT?
The men’s Wimbledon final will be held at 11pm AEST on Sunday night.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Djokovic and Kyrgios have only played twice and both of their previous meetings — won by Kyrgios in straight sets — were five years ago at North American hard court tournaments.
Kyrgios emerged the victor in the quarterfinals at Acapulco (7-6 7-5) and in the round of 16 at Indian Wells-1000 (6-4 7-6))– and the Australian did not drop a set in either match.
There are only two other players against whom Djokovic has played multiple matches but failed to record a victory – Jiri Vesely and Marat Safin who, like Kyrgios, boast a 2-0 head-to-head lead against the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
— via ITF match notes
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
Djokovic is rated the $1.27 favourite with the TAB and Kyrgios the $3.80 outsider
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‘MADNESS’: Kyrgios getting robbed in ‘ludicrous’ Wimbledon rankings farce
BROMANCE: How Kyrgios-Djokovic feud became ‘weird’ friendship
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The prestigious honour of becoming Wimbledon men’s champion of course. Kyrgios is bidding to win his first grand slam and Djokovic his 21st, and seventh Wimbledon title.
The champion will receive £2,000,000 ($A3.5 million) in prize money, while the runner-up collects £1,050,000 ($A1.8m). That means Kyrgios is already guaranteed by far the biggest pay day of his career.
Unfortunately for both men, no ATP rankings points are on offer at the tournament after the All England Club’s controversial decision because of its ban on Russian players competing.
CHASING HISTORY
Djokovic is bidding to move ahead of Roger Federer in second on the all-time men’s majors list, and close the gap on Nadal (23) at the top.
A win for Djokovic would give him his seventh Wimbledon title, equalling William Renshaw and Pete Sampras in second on the all-time list, behind only Federer (8).
By reaching his 32nd Grand Slam final, Djokovic sets a new all-time record by moving ahead of Federer (31).
Kyrgios, meanwhile, is bidding to become Australia’s first male grand slam singles champion in 20 years — Lleyton Hewitt won the Wimbledon title in 2002.
Ranked 40th, he would become the lowest-ranked and first unseeded Wimbledon men’s singles champion since No. 125 Goran Ivanisevic won in 2001.
Kyrgios is bidding to become the fifth Australian man in the Open Era to win Wimbledon and the 13th in history.
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