Novak Djokovic has denied Roger Federer an 18th tennis major after winning an epic five-set Wimbledon final at the All England Club overnight.
After losing three of his past four major finals, Djokovic buried his demons to claim his second Wimbledon crown and the world No.1 ranking with a 6-7 (7-9) 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 5-7 6-4 triumph. The Serbian star looked to have blown his chances when he surrendered a 5-2 lead in the fourth to leave the door open for Federer.
But Djokovic summoned extra fight in the fifth set, breaking Federer in the eighth game before going on to win. Speaking after the trophy presentation, Djokovic, who injured his ankle in the second set, described the match as the hardest final he had played in. “I was very close (on) several occasions, even in the fourth, to winning the match,” he said.
“I could have easily lost my concentration in the fifth and handed him the win. But I didn’t, and that’s why this win has a special importance to me mentally.”
Federer said tennis fans got their money’s worth. “I thought the match was a good one,” he said. “I thought it had everything for fans to like – the swing of momentum in the first set, him coming back in the second, staying even in the third, all the back and fourth of the fourth set, and then the drama of the fifth.
“From that standpoint, I thought it was an interesting match. I don’t feel I necessarily played my absolute very best because I couldn’t break for over three sets. For me that was disappointing.”
