Novak Djokovic out-lasted Roger Federer Sunday in five-set classic to win his second Wimbledon title, capping an emotional match that included two tiebreakers and lasted almost five hours. Watch the video above to see highlights of the match.
Djokovic, ranked second in the world, won 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4 despite failing to close out fourth-ranked Federer on championship point in the fourth set.
The Serb denied Federer his record eighth Wimbledon crown and handed him only his second loss in nine Wimbledon title matches.
Federer, 32, already has more Grand Slam titles (17) than anyone in history and is tied with Pete Sampras and William Renshaw for the most Wimbledon titles with seven. He’s playing at an elite level that belies his age, but it could be the closest he gets to winning another crown at the All England Club.
Fivethirtyeight’s John Ryle took a look during the French Open this spring at just how unusual it is for players — even elite players like Federer — won win Grand Slams into their 30s.
Ryle wrote:
In tennis, however, many legends were done winning Grand Slam events by their mid-20s — Boris Becker’s last of six was at age 28. Mats Wilander won his seventh and final major at 24. John McEnroe (7) and Björn Borg (11) were done at 25. Even Jimmy Connors (8), famed for his longevity — he made his famous run to the semis at the U.S. Open in 1991 at age 39 — won his final major, the 1983 U.S. Open, at 31.
Djokovic, 27, almost certainly has more Grand Slams left in him, and he was in an appropriately joyful mood Sunday, dedicating the title to his fiancee, Jenena Ristic, who’s six months pregnant with the couple’s first child.
Here’s what went down:
Federer Won the First Set
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Federer: 7-6
Roger #Federer takes the opening set 7-6(7) over Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final! #ALLEZROGER
— Roger Federer (@FedererLive) July 6, 2014
The perfect game for Federer as he delivers Djokovic four straight aces to take a 5-4 lead in the 2nd. #Wimbledon #ESPNTennis
— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) July 6, 2014
Roger Federer is so easy to watch.
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) July 6, 2014
Djokovic Took Back the Second Set
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Djokovic: 6-4
Novak Djokovic levels the match with an overhead, taking second set 6-4 over Federer. Get comfy, folks, this will be a while. #Wimbledon
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 6, 2014
#WimbledonFinal: Novak Djokovic holds serve to win second set 6-4. Federer had won the first.
— IBN Sports (@IBNLiveSports) July 6, 2014
Djokovic Won the Third Set in a Tiebreaker
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Djokovic: 7-6
Some pretty ominous outbump music on the Wimbledon telecast. Matches Federer's suddenly bleak hopes. Darn it all.
— Robert Weintraub (@robwein) July 6, 2014
Awful awful tiebreaker from Federer. Low percentage shots and unforced errors on the forehand. Djokovic now up 2 sets to 1. #Wimbledon
— Agahzi Giorgis (@RadioAgaz) July 6, 2014
Roger has never lost a tiebreak in #Wimbledon. Until now.
— Tilo Jung (@TiloJung) July 6, 2014
Former player, mother of 4 & ball girl? Mirka #Federer lends a hand during the match. #FederervsDjokovic #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/7cbS8qHc72
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2014
WATCH: A calm fist pump from Novak Djokovic as he goes up 2 sets to 1 vs Federer. #FederervsDjokovic #Wimbledon http://t.co/KHj8fGwsix
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2014
Djokovic moves ahead 6-7 6-4 7-6 (7-4), Federer's forehand goes walkabout at the key moment – http://t.co/DOBb1JRC7O #bbctennis #wimbledon
— Piers Newbery (@piersnewbery) July 6, 2014
Federer Makes a Huge Comeback to Win the Fourth
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Federer: 7-5
Federer has never come back from 2 sets 1 in a grand slam final, and Djokovic has never lost from 2-1 up in a Slam final. #ESPNTennis
— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) July 6, 2014
Whenever Roger Federer trails 1-2 sets he has won 27% of the time (10 wins, 27 losses)
Last win: FrenchOpen 2013 R4 to Gilles Simon
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 6, 2014
The Centre Court crowd has really come to life now – on their feet for Federer. Clear favourite with them..they want a 5th set. #Wimbledon
— Richard Newman (@rich_newman) July 6, 2014
#Federer keeps his WIM8LEDON dream alive. Breaks #Djokovic to get back on serve in 4th set 4-5. #FederervsDjokovic pic.twitter.com/yyq367K6yA
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2014
Federer fends off 3 BPs but Djokovic can't be denied as he grabs a crucial break to lead 3-1 in the 4th #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/iRyte0TS6P
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2014
people write federer off too quickly, he always comes back fighting
— claire. (@_clairegray) July 6, 2014
#Djokovic took another spill in the final point of his service game. #FederervsDjokovic #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/x6bhWZuEdb
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2014
“@Wimbledon: It's a tense one. Even the Beckhams are feeling it. #FederervsDjokovic #Wimbledon http://t.co/J4cxwBrbLq” // @santiagorgr
— Armando Novoa (@Armandu21) July 6, 2014
Incredible tennis! Federer is back in it! Now 5-5 in the fourth set! #Wimbledon
— BetVictor (@BetVictor) July 6, 2014
Federer breaks again & will serve for the 4th set. 6-5. @BBCOne @bbc5live http://t.co/Vd5g482XTX #FederervsDjokovic #bbctennis
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 6, 2014
Federer refuses to lie down with history on the line, reeling off 5 games in a row to take the 4th set 7-5 #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/cjsoVcgTNt
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2014
Djokovic Closed Out the Match 6-4 to Take the Championship
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Djokovic: 6-4
STATS: After 3 hours and 12 minutes, here's a look at the numbers so far… #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/yyU0NUDmba
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2014
Djokovic holds to 30 and calls for the trainer. If all is OK, I'm sensing this could be a long, long set of tennis.
— ByTheMin Tennis (@ByTheMinTennis) July 6, 2014
Djokovic vs Federer putting on a great show right now, Djokovic looks like he injured his ankle though and it could be over quickly now.
— Mike Loftus (@loopdadedoop) July 6, 2014
#Federer holds to love for 2-2 in the 5th set of this #Wimbledon final. #FederervsDjokovic pic.twitter.com/Hee3Tll8Xn
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2014
#Federer fighting for his life & fighting off three break points to hold for 4-4 in the decider. #FederervsDjokovic pic.twitter.com/rkztwm3ijV
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2014
Who else thinks their heart rate is same as Djokovic's right now? He holds take 5-4 lead in 5th. Can Fed hold here? pic.twitter.com/UmdSsC3Fzc
— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) July 6, 2014