"bromance"?

Novak Djokovic didn't want to go that far after all.

"I don't know if we can already call it male friendship, but our relationship has improved a lot," said the Serb about his opponent in the Wimbledon final: the unpredictable Nick Kyrgios.

The Australian once mocked Djokovic for his "obsession with being liked".

These cheering gestures on the pitch, the throwing at the audience: "He wants to be like Roger (Federer, ed.).

It's just shameful."

But since January everything has changed.

Ever since Djokovic tried to enter Kyrgios' home country of Australia without a vaccination, he failed and was caught in the crossfire of criticism.

At that time, Kyrgios jumped to his side publicly.

"Since then, we sometimes write each other personal messages on Instagram," he said.

That sort of bromance that Kyrgios claims to have discovered will be put to the test on Sunday (3pm BST/Sky) as the stakes are high for both.

Kyrgios himself no longer expected to ever reach the final of a Grand Slam, despite all his genius.

Djokovic said after his semi-final win over Britain's Cameron Norrie: "I don't know how many more opportunities I'll get."

Djokovic remains unvaccinated

The US Open in New York (from the end of August), for example, will probably not be an option, Djokovic refuses the vaccination and is therefore not allowed to enter the country.

Even in Australia at the beginning of 2023, the 35-year-old will certainly not be welcomed with open arms after the court theater this year.

Rafael Nadal rules in Roland Garros, who, despite his injury at Wimbledon, is far from having enough.

So that leaves the holy lawn, on which Djokovic has been the undisputed ruler for years.

The fourth title in a row beckons him on Sunday, the seventh overall, with which he would catch up with his youth idol Pete Sampras - and would only be one triumph behind record champion Federer.

The great Swiss, whom Djokovic envies for popularity, as Kyrgios (27) once stated.

Undivided love like Federer or Nadal doesn't appeal to either of them, Djokovic and Kyrgios are similar.

Both polarize, have large crowds of fans and bitter opponents.

And yet opposites will collide.

The 15,000 spectators can look forward to "emotional fireworks", said Djokovic, who lost both previous duels in 2017 - and is still the big favorite.

Great respect for the "Big Three"

Djokovic is in a Grand Slam final for the 32nd time: record.

Kyrgios is playing for a big title for the first time, but all players know "that he is dangerous, especially on grass," said Djokovic: "He is very confident on this pitch and seems to be in much better mental shape than he is now a few years ago."

With exceptions: A week ago, Kyrgios had insulted referees and driven his opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas to incandescence.

It's amazing how respectful he can be.

At the thought of the performances of the "Big Three" Nadal, Federer and Djokovic, "King" Kyrgios became very meek.

“We will never see a fighter like Rafa again, never again someone who swings his racquet too effortlessly like Roger.

And probably never again someone who just always wins and masters the game as well as Djokovic," he said.

For the chance of winning Wimbledon, he has to lose respect and let the male friendship rest.