Novak Djokovic denied Roger Federer his eighth Wimbledon title after five classic sets on Centre Court on Sunday. Djokovic, a winner here in 2011, won the oldest trophy in tennis 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-4 in just under four hours.
The 27-year-old dedicated his win to his future child and girlfriend Jelen Ristic, who he will soon marry.
“I dedicate it to my future wife and our future baby. I’m going to become a father soon. It’s a great joy in life,” said Djokovic.
Djokovic also praised Federer as a great champion and role model.
“It was a great match to be part of,” said Djokovic. “He’s a magnificent champion and great example and great athlete. I respect your career and everything you have done and thank you for letting me win today. After dropping the fourth set I was hard to get the energy up and turn it around. I don’t know how I did it.”
Federer took the lead after a first set tiebreak, Djokovic netting a return to the in a tense opening. The standard of play from both players was exceptional, the Serb clearly attacking Federer’s backhand side in the opening exchanges.
It was Federer’s serve that was coming under the greater threat and in the second set a loose serving game from the 32-year-old followed by a double fault handed Djokovic a break point, which he gobbled up, passing Federer at the net.
It was only the second time in 97 service games that Federer had dropped his serve. While Djokovic faced down one break point he held for 6-4.
Only narrow margins separated the two players, Federer having come into the final leading Djokovic 18-16 in their head to head meetings.
But Federer was forced to save more break points at 5-5 in the third set, although he held to propel the match into another tiebreak. Again it was the 17-times Grand Slam winner who blinked first with Djokovic taking the tiebreak 7-4 and the set for 2-1.
But it was Federer who held the momentum after a swinging fourth set, where he came back from 2-5 and a match point down to win it and send the game into a classic fifth set. By that stage the crowd were firmly behind the older player as the long shadows crept across the court.
But Djokovic gathered himself with the fifth set going with serve despite the Serb player asking for a time out after the third game for a calf muscle problem. Djokovic finally turned the match his way when he earned two match points on Federer’s serve, the Swiss player’s backhand finding the net for 6-4 and the championship falling to Djokovic.
“It was a great final. I can’t believe I made it five,” said Federer. “It wasn’t looking good there for a while. You’re going into match with Novak and you know it’s going to be tough. We play athletic points. Well deserved to him. I enjoyed myself very much I’ll see you next year.”
