Who was that humble man interviewed in the late afternoon on No.1 Court, after Cristian Garin left the quarter-final stage? He looked a lot like Nick Kyrgios. Later, at the post-match press conference, this new version of the world No.40 immediately reiterated that he had thought his Grand Slam semi-final ship had long since sailed into the impossible distance. 

As it is, he will play Rafael Nadal for a place in the final – and when Kyrgios thought about that, the new modesty slipped just for a moment. 

“That will probably be the most watched match of all time,” he said, meaning it. “We've had some absolute battles on that Centre Court. He's won one against me, and I've won one against him.

"Two completely different personalities. I feel like we respect the hell out of each other. It will be a mouthwatering encounter for everyone around the world.”

True enough. But what of his own post-victory moments on court? When he sat in his chair courtside having earned a place in the last four at Wimbledon 2022, what was going through his mind? 

“How things can change,” said the 27-year-old. “There was a point where I was almost done with the sport. I posted this year about the mental state I was in in 2019 when I was at the Australian Open, with self-harm and suicidal thoughts. 

“I had thoughts in the last year-and-a-half whether I wanted to play any more. Lost the love, lost the fire, lost the spark. Then some things just changed in my life.

"I rediscovered that a lot of people want me to play. I've got a lot left in the tank. I'm probably playing some of my best tennis, mentally feeling great. 

 

“To be a semi-finalist at Wimbledon is a special accomplishment for anyone, but especially for me. I just sat there today and soaked it all in. At the same time I feel like I don't want to stop here either.” 

Kyrgios went into the match with off-court personal matters making headlines. 

“That didn't really affect my preparation at all,” he said, before conceding: “It was hard to focus on the mission in hand. I stayed true to myself and give my best performance today. I'm feeling really, really proud of myself and the team, the level I'm playing. 

“Today was not easy at all. He [Garin] was extremely, extremely good. That forehand return is going to give me nightmares. Hell of a player.”

For his part, the Chilean did not hesitate when asked if Kyrgios is playing at a level which could win him the title. 

“Yes, of course,” replied Garin, who himself broke new career ground by reaching their quarter-final. “I have played all of the great servers on the Tour and for me he's the best. 

“He's a very aggressive player. He has good touch as well. He's also a great, great player. It was a tough match. He served pretty well in the opportunities that I had.

“The third set I think I was very close. I tried to play every point on his serve. He served unreal in those moments. He took his chances. That made the difference of the result.

“He’s playing at a very high level. Yeah, he has great chances to win the tournament. But I'm very happy with the way I played. I learned a lot this year at Wimbledon.”

So what’s changed for Kyrgios? Why does he think he’s been able to reach this semi-final?

“I'm more mature,” he replied (although whether Stefanos Tsitsipas would concur is a moot point). “Earlier in my career, if I made a third, fourth or quarter-finals, I'd be on my phone a lot, engaging online a lot, keen to go out to dinner and explore – not conservatively just go back to my house with my team, put my feet up, get treatment and eat, get good rest. Like, ‘Nick, stay in the house’. That's not always been the easiest thing for me. 

“Everyone has the same goal in my team. That's why it's working. We all know what we've come here to do. I made it known to them that I wanted to go pretty deep here… and possibly even raise the trophy.”

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