Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer by three sets to one in the Wimbledon final on Sunday; to retain the trophy he won this time last year.
Djokovic, who secured his ninth Grand Slam title in the process, defeated Federer 7-6 (7-1) 6-7 (10-12) 6-4 6-3 in four sets. He adds Sunday’s win to two other victories at Wimbledon, one US Open title and five Australian Open titles.
When Federer took the second set to level things, fans were probably more expecting the Swiss to excel – but instead Djokovic remained switched on, and was too much for Fed to deal with – proving that no matter what form you are in, when you face Djokovic, he is number one for a reason.
Three-time Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick was keen to praise the Serb, who went into the match facing a Roger Federer who had took down world number three Andy Murray with relative ease:
“Honesty was Novak Djokovic’s best friend. Being able to look inward after losing the French Open and acknowledge the situation, and then come here and he played his best match of the tournament today.”
Federer was hoping to become the first man to win eight Wimbledon titles, but he admits he was second best on the day to the champ:
“I had my chances in the first set. I got lucky to win the second, had chances in the third. But he was better on the bigger points. He was rock solid, I didn’t play badly myself. That’s how it goes.”
It was always going to be difficult for Djokovic to get the Wimbledon crowd on his side, with his opponent a relative sweet heart of the all England club – everybody loves Roger Federer. Post match, Djokovic admitted as much in an interview:
He’s a very likeable guy. He’s somebody that’s played on this level for so many years. Not judging by the results, but his character, his personality. He’s done all the right things to get that support. More or less anywhere I play against Roger it’s the same. I have to accept it, and I have to work to earn that support. One day.”
Despite Fed’s form, it was Djokovic who was backed in as the pre-match favourite with bookies like Coral. And those who backed the pre-tournament favourite would have also had some funds arrive in their account yesterday too, with Djokovic being the heavy favourite even before a tennis ball was hit.