A bromance between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios was the last thing fans expected coming into Wimbledon, but the two players have buried the hatchet and even decided to go for dinner, with Sunday's final winner footing the bill.
Kyrgios, who has in the past labelled Djokovic "boneheaded" and a "tool", defended the Serb when he was detained and then deported ahead of the Australian Open earlier this year due to his COVID-19 vaccination status.
Djokovic is seeking his 21st major and seventh title at Wimbledon while Kyrgios is in his first Grand Slam final.
The pair met each other at practice and had a word before taking the conversation to Instagram for their millions of followers.
Djokovic: "It took you five years to say something nice about me."
Kyrgios: "But I defended you when it mattered."
Djokovic: "You did, I appreciate that."
Kyrgios: "We friends now?"
Djokovic: "If you are inviting me for a drink or dinner, I accept. P.S. Winner of tomorrow pays."
Kyrgios: "Deal, let's go to a nightclub and go nuts."
Kyrgios reached the final after Rafa Nadal was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to injury.
Novak Djokovic v Nick Kyrgios - head-to-head
Novak Djokovic v Nick Kyrgios head-to-head record ahead of their meeting in Sunday's Wimbledon final at the All England Club:
2017: Acapulco - Kyrgios 7-6 (11/9), 7-5
-- Kyrgios fired 25 aces in his quarter-final win over Djokovic who was a 12-time Grand Slam title winner at the time.
For Kyrgios, victory meant he completed the full set of wins over the "Big Three" of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
"It's what I dreamed of as a little kid, playing on these great venues against some of the greatest players in the world," said Kyrgios.
"I never have a problem getting up for these matches."
2017: Indian Wells - Kyrgios 6-4, 7-6 (7/3)
-- Three weeks later, Kyrgios ended Djokovic's 19-match winning streak in the Californian desert in the fourth round.
"It feels good, I knew what I had to do today, it was always going to be tough, he is a great champion," said Kyrgios.
Five-time champion Djokovic had won the Indian Wells title in the previous three years and was unbeaten since a semi-final loss to Juan Martin del Potro in 2013.
"The run was amazing. I am very proud of it, obviously. It had to end at some stage. Unfortunately, it was today. Nick, again, as he did in Acapulco earlier, few weeks ago, he served so well," said Djokovic.
