Novak Djokovic largely went unnoticed most of this Wimbledon with everything else happening. There was Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's semifinal blockbuster, Coco Gauff's breakthrough and Serena Williams and Andy Murray played mixed doubles. But the Serb has everyone's attention now after beating Federer in a gripping, historic final Sunday.
He saved two match points on Federer's serve to defeat the ever popular Swiss 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 13-12 (7-3) in four hours, 57 minutes – the longest singles final in tournament history. It came a day after Simona Halep downed Serena Williams in the women's final in a quickfire 56 minutes.
It was the first time the final set tiebreak was used in a finale at Wimbledon, having been introduced this year after big servers John Isner and Kevin Anderson slugged it out for around seven hours in the 2018 semifinal that ended 26-24.
Federer lost the previous longest final at Wimbledon to Nadal 9-7 in the fifth set in 2008, a battle considered the greatest tennis match ever.
“This one is more straightforward maybe in some ways because we didn't have rain delays, we didn't have night coming in and all that stuff,” Federer said, comparing the two. “But sure, epic ending, so close, so many moments. I'm sure there's similarities.”
“I'm the loser both times, so that's the only similarity I see.”
For parts of the contest, Djokovic looked out of sorts, though Federer's attacking onslaught surely contributed.
But he played the tiebreaks better, despite the overwhelming majority of the 15,000 on centre court rooting for his opponent.
“In the most important moments, all three tiebreaks I guess, if I can say so, I found my best game,” said Djokovic. “I thought most of the match I was on the back foot actually. I was defending. He was dictating the play.
“I just tried to fight and find a way when it mattered the most, which is what happened.”
His 16 majors have pulled the world No. 1 to within four of the Swiss for the first time ever.
Federer last downed Djokovic at a grand slam in 2012 and fell in their two other final duels at Wimbledon.
