‘It’s unreal’: Djokovic triumphs in Wimbledon final thriller against Federer
Top two seeds play out the longest singles final in Centre Court history
Novak Djokovic has defended his Wimbledon men’s singles title after a thrilling five-set victory over Roger Federer on Sunday.
Serbian top seed Djokovic saved two championship points against second seed Federer and went on to win a fifth-set tie-break. The final was the longest in Wimbledon history at four hours 57 minutes.
Djokovic’s 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 13-12 (7-3) victory means he has now won five Wimbledon titles and 16 grand slams. It was also the third time Djokovic has beaten Federer in the Wimbledon men’s singles final.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Speaking after his epic win 32-year-old Djokovic said: “If this was not the most thrilling and exciting finals I was ever a part of, then definitely it’s top two or three in my career against one of the greatest players of all time - Roger.
“I respect him a lot. Unfortunately in these kind of matches, one of the players has to lose and, as Roger said, we both had our chances. It’s quite unreal to be two match points down and to come back.”
Chasing his ninth Wimbledon title Federer was left to rue missed chances. The Swiss star, 37, said: “You take it on the chin, move on and try to forget. I will try to take the good things out of this match because there is tons of it.
“It hurts, like every loss at Wimbledon. But it’s a mindset, and I’m very strong at moving on. I don’t want to be depressed about losing an amazing tennis match.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Novak Djokovic is now ‘surely unrivalled’ in tennis history
Talking Point Serb’s ‘biggest victory’ saw him make history once again in Australia
By The Week Staff Published
-
Novak Djokovic’s dad and the pro-Putin ‘Night Wolves’
Talking Point Australian Open episode ‘reflects sense of brotherhood’ between Serbia and Russia
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Roger Federer’s retirement: an end to a ‘magical era’
Talking Point The Laver Cup will be the Swiss national’s final competitive appearance
By The Week Staff Published
-
Roger Federer and the ‘GOAT’ debate
Talking Point Tennis luminaries line up to declare the Swiss the greatest of all time
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Novak Djokovic vs. Cameron Norrie: Wimbledon semi-final preview and predictions
feature Can the British No.1 stun the defending champ and reach Sunday’s final?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Novak Djovokic on vaccines, grand slams and playing tennis for ‘many more years’
feature What the men’s world No.1 said in his interview with the BBC
By The Week Staff Published
-
Novak Djokovic: a poster boy for anti-vaxxers?
Why Everyone’s Talking About The reaction to his deportation from Australia was ‘predictably polarised’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Novak Djokovic visa saga: game, set, match to Australian immigration?
feature Defending champion’s visa is re-cancelled by the country’s immigration minister
By Mike Starling Published