Novak Djokovic saved two
championship points in Wimbledon's longest singles final to retain his
title in a thrilling win over Roger Federer.
On a Centre Court,
with an atmosphere that felt at times more akin to football than tennis,
Djokovic won 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 13-12 (7-3). As the clock ticked to four hours 57 minutes, Federer hit a ball high to hand the Serb victory. The world number one has won 16 Grand Slams - and four of the last five. "It's quite unreal," Djokovic said after winning his fifth Wimbledon title. Federer,
who at 37 was chasing a record-equalling ninth Wimbledon singles title,
added: "It was a great match, it was long, it had everything. Novak,
congratulations, man, that was crazy." A
highly anticipated final between two of the sport's greats always had
the potential to go the distance - and this did that and more. With
fans unable to watch at times, while leaping to their feet and chanting
at others, a nerve-jangling final set turned this into a classic. When
Federer had two championship points at 8-7, Djokovic held his nerve to
save both and then break back, eventually taking it to the new tie-break
at 12-12. The Serb - who for extended periods of the match had
been second best - had won the match's previous two tie-breaks and he
did so again, snatching victory when Federer scooped a return high. The
Swiss had been seeking to become the oldest Grand Slam champion of the
Open era but instead found himself part of a different record as the
match time surpassed Wimbledon's longest final - the four hours 48
minutes of play in 2008 as he lost to Rafael Nadal. "Like similar
to '08 maybe, I will look back at it and think, 'well, it's not that bad
after all'. For now it hurts, and it should, like every loss does here
at Wimbledon," Federer said. "Epic ending, so close, so many
moments. Yeah, I mean, sure there's similarities [between this and
2008]. I'm the loser both times, so that's the only similarity I see." The
incredible fifth set lasted more than two hours - you could have fitted
in two of Saturday's women's singles finals in the time of that set
alone.
Down in the stats - but up in the match. Anyone looking only at the stats for this match would simply not fathom how Djokovic came out on top.
The
Serb trailed the Swiss on first-serve points won, winners made, aces,
break points converted, games won and total points won and led him on
double faults. But he won the key points - and none more so than in the final set. A
diving volley winner at 5-5 and 15-30 prevented Federer establishing
two break points, while having let the Swiss take an 8-7 lead with an
opportunity to serve for the match, he immediately broke back. Ignoring
the increasingly vocal "Roger, Roger" chants from the partisan crowd
and the cheers for some of the top seed's double faults, Djokovic surged
6-3 ahead in the tie-break.
Wimbledon 2019: Blood, sweat & tears - the best Wimbledon final ever?There was more drama when the final point had to be replayed after a
Hawk-Eye challenge, but Djokovic finally celebrated victory - albeit in
muted fashion - when Federer sent a forehand off the frame of his
racquet. There was no wild jumping up and down, just a smile to
himself as he walked to the net to shake hands with Federer after
becoming the first man to win a Wimbledon singles final having been down
match point since 1948 when Bob Falkenburg saved three match points and
came back to beat John Bromwich. An emotional Federer looked over
towards his wife and children in his box during the trophy
presentation, perhaps an acknowledgement that less than four weeks from
his 38th birthday his opportunities for more Grand Slams may be limited.
While the match will be remembered by many for its thrills,
Federer said: "I will try to forget. I had my chances, so did he. We
played some great tennis."
How Federer won on paper but Djokovic won the match
Djokovic
Federer
74%
First-serve points won
79%
10
Aces
25
54
Winners
94
204
Total points won
218
29
Total games won
36
How the drama unfolded in fifth set
3hrs 25mins - A Djokovic backhand winner secures a break of serve for 4-2 lead 3hrs 31mins - Federer breaks straight back when Djokovic nets forehand 4hrs 7mins - Federer goes a break up at 8-7 with a forehand winner 4hrs 10mins - An ace brings up two championship points for Federer 4hrs 12mins - Djokovic saves both match points, then breaks back to level match 4hrs 39mins - Successful Federer Hawk-Eye challenge brings up break point, but Djokovic fends it off to lead 12-11 4hrs 47mins - Code violation for Djokovic for swinging his racquet towards umpire's chair 4hrs 48mins - First 12-12 final-set tie-break in Wimbledon singles begins 4hrs 55mins - Djokovic forehand brings up three championship points 4hrs 56mins - More drama as Djokovic successfully challenges a ball called out and point is replayed 4hrs 57mins - Federer skies a return and Djokovic wins his fifth Wimbledon title
Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer to retain his Wimbledon title in a final-set tie-break
Analysis
BBC Sport tennis commentator Andrew Castle:
"What a treat this has been. The top seed triumphs and it can surprise
no one. Novak Djokovic has beaten Roger Federer in the longest final in
Wimbledon history. And he's beaten Roger Federer in all three Wimbledon
finals that he has played him in. Roger Federer can look back with such
pride on his effort." Former British number one Tim Henman on BBC TV:
"I am still in a slight daze on Roger Federer's behalf. Federer played
all the tennis in the first four sets, he could have won all of them.
And to then have two Championship points on his own serve, which is one
of the most efficient. He tried to be bold on the second, but Novak
Djokovic came up with the pass." Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra:
"It was a rollercoaster ride. It was amazing to see a tie-break in the
end. There was nothing in that match in the end. You have to compliment
both players. I was glad I got to witness this."
Caption: Djokovic lifts the Wimbledon trophy for the fifth time in his career.
