Novak Djokovic again dashed Roger Federer’s hopes of winning a record eighth Wimbledon crown as the Serbian ripped up the script to defend his title at the All England Club, yesterday.
Federer’s form suggested he was capable of clinching his first grand slam success since 2012 but Djokovic ousted the Swiss for the second year running to win 7-6 6-7 6-4 6-3.
A stunning second-set tie-break went Federer’s way on Centre Court but Djokovic was irresistible thereafter, sealing his ninth major triumph, which now includes three at Wimbledon.
“I was aware Roger was going to play like he always plays, at his best when it matters the most,” Djokovic said afterwards on court.
“He pushes you to your limits, and asks you to work hard on every point.
“That added a bit more pressure but these parts of matches you work all your life for.”
It means Djokovic joins John McEnroe and his coach Boris Becker in the group of treble champions at Wimbledon and on this evidence few would argue there may be a few more to come.
Federer had produced one of his finest displays against Andy Murray in the semi-finals but this is Djokovic’s era of dominance, and he cemented his status as the stand-out player in the world with a clinical, dynamic and brutally efficient display.
“Novak played not only great today but for the whole two weeks, plus the entire year, plus last year, plus the year before that. He deserves it,” Federer said.
“He was tougher on the big points, and at the end he was rock solid, really. He played great and I didn’t play bad myself so I can be happy.”
It was perhaps not Federer’s fairy-tale return to glory that the Centre Court crowd had hoped for but Djokovic has sparked his own revival after a shock defeat to Stan Wawrinka in the French Open final last month.
It is admiration, however, rather than adoration that marks fans’ attitude towards the Serb and the Wimbledon crowd, which included five-time champion Bjorn Borg, made their allegiances clear from the moment the players walked out on court.
Djokovic seemed to have a two-set lead all but wrapped up when he raced 6-3 clear in the tie-break but Federer came storming back, saving all three set points, the last of which saw him unleash a scintillating backhand after Djokovic had the court at his mercy.
With the crowd in raptures, willing Federer forward, Djokovic spurned his sixth and seventh set points before Federer finally clinched his second, as a cool backhand volley made it 12-10 and sparked pandemonium in the stands.
Djokovic appeared perturbed by his wastefulness, lashing a ball into the ground but outer-frustration often masks his inner steel and he soon turned the tide to claim a break.
Spits of rain suspended play for 20 minutes but, while the crowd took a breath, Djokovic resumed his charge to serve out and clinch the third set 6-4.
Federer seemed mentally and physically drained as his errors began to increase and Djokovic showed no mercy, taking another break with a booming return to lead 3-2 in the fourth.
The number one seed was now firmly in the ascendancy and Federer could only cling on, saving another two break points, to keep his opponent in touch.
There was a glimpse of a comeback when Federer had 30-0 up on Djokovic’s serve but the world number one kept his composure to preserve his advantage.
Federer was unable to respond as Djokovic opened up a match point in the very next game and after a booming forehand sealed victory, he crouched down for his traditional eating of the Wimbledon grass.
“It tasted very good,” he said.
Men’s Wimbledon champions
Roger Federer failed to go ahead of Pete Sampras and Willie Renshaw in the Wimbledon all-time winners’ list yesterday after losing the final to Novak Djokovic.
7 times: Roger Federer (Switzerland), Pete Sampras (United States), Willie Renshaw (Great Britain).
5 times: Bjorn Borg (Sweden), Laurie Doherty (Great Britain).
4 times: Reggie Doherty (Great Britain), Rod Laver (Australia), Tony Wilding (New Zealand).
3 times: Novak Djokovic (Serbia), Wilfred Baddeley (Great Britain), Boris Becker (West Germany), Arthur Gore (Great Britain), John McEnroe (United States), John Newcombe (Australia), Fred Perry (Great Britain), Bill Tilden (United States).