Nick Kyrgios admits what went wrong before his Wimbledon final with Novak Djokovic in 2022, ‘that’s why I lost’

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Nick Kyrgios made an impressive run to the Wimbledon final three years ago but failed in his bid to win the title.

Having failed to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals in eight years, since his debut in 2014, Kyrgios returned in 2022, defeating Paul Jubb, Filip Krajinovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Brandon Nakashima.

A straight sets victory over Cristian Garin followed, as Kyrgios booked his place in the semifinals of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.

When Rafael Nadal withdrew from the tournament, Kyrgios was awarded a bye into the final, where he met defending champion Novak Djokovic.

Taking the first set 6-4, Kyrgios moved within touching distance of a first major title, but couldn’t quite get over the line, as Djokovic fought back to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6.

Reflecting on the biggest match of his career three years later, Kyrgios has revealed what went wrong before the final that cost him.

Nick Kyrgios says he did not sleep ‘a wink’ the night before the Wimbledon final

During a recent episode of ‘Wimbledon Unfiltered with Nick Kyrgios’, the Aussie star was asked if he would change anything from the preparations for his 2022 final with Djokovic.

“I didn’t sleep a wink the night before hand, I really tried to, I couldn’t get any sleep,” said Kyrgios.

“Every decision and every choice I made in my life and tennis, practice sessions, gym sessions were for that match. I really think that’s why I lost.

“Think about Novak [Djokovic], he’s had 30+ Grand Slam finals, that was my first one, I couldn’t deal with the anxiety.”

Running on zero sleep, Kyrgios admits he was playing off pure adrenaline in the Wimbledon final.

“I got no sleep, I actually woke up and was exhausted, but then when I got out on the court, I ran on adrenaline,” he said.

“That’s what Novak does so well, he’s so composed in those big moments, all those great champions are so composed because they have been there before, that’s experience, that’s longevity.

“Hopefully, if I’m able to get there again, maybe I can get an hour of sleep; that would help!”

Kyrgios hasn’t returned to a Grand Slam final since, but looked in great shape to do so at the US Open, just months after his Wimbledon breakthrough.

Nick Kyrgios’ missed opportunity at the 2022 US Open

Fresh off the back of his Wimbledon final appearance, Kyrgios won his seventh ATP Tour title at the Washington Open.

Carrying that momentum forward to the US Open, Kyrgios made a strong start, as he qualified for his second consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal.

• 2022 US Open 1R – Nick Kyrgios beat Thanasi Kokkinakis, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6
• 2022 US Open 2R – Nick Kyrgios beat Benjamin Bonzi, 7-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
• 2022 US Open 3R – Nick Kyrgios beat JJ Wolf, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3
• 2022 US Open 4R – Nick Kyrgios beat Daniil Medvedev, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2

As the quarterfinals began, tennis was guaranteed a new Grand Slam champion, as former champions Daniil Medvedev, Dominic Thiem, Rafael Nadal, Marin Cilic, and Stan Wawrinka all suffered early exits.

Kyrgios immediately became a big favorite to win the title, as one of just three quarterfinalists who had previously contested a major final.

Unfortunately for Kyrgios, he was unable to capitalize on a golden opportunity to win a Slam, losing out to Russia’s Karen Khachanov in a five-set quarterfinal.

Struggling with injury from then on, Kyrgios has only appeared in one Grand Slam tournament since, losing his first-round match to Jacob Fearnley at the 2025 Australian Open.

The likelihood of the 30-year-old winning a major seems slim, as he may well look back on both Wimbledon and the 2022 US Open as missed opportunities.

Perhaps Kyrgios will return to the US Open and right the wrongs of 2022 this time around, although his appearance is very much fitness-dependent.

The 2025 US Open is scheduled to begin on Sunday, August 24.