Novak Djokovic was crowned Wimbledon champion for the
third time after beating Roger Federer in the second final. The 28-year-old Serbian soared to victory for the second
year running following a four-set thriller, which was watched on by a
star-studded crowd, including Pippa Middleton, Benedict Cumberbatch and Naomi
Campbell.
He roared in delight and pumped his arms after winning his
first match point, before eating some of the hallowed Centre Court grass.
MORE PHOTOS BELOW
In what was almost a repeat of last year's final, the World
Number One sealed the win - his ninth grand slam title - in the fourth set of
the game, despite losing the second set to his accomplished rival.
The Swiss 33-year-old - who was hoping for his eighth
Wimbledon title - had triumphed following a lengthy tie break, winning 12
points to Djokovic's 10.
But Djokovic's form was too much for Federer and he went on
to win the final set 6-3 after his first championship point, matching coach Boris
Becker's impressive Wimbledon record.
Djokovic won 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 and 6-3 and will now earn a cool
£1.88 million for his victory. Federer takes home £940,000 as runner-up.
Speaking after his victory, Djokovic told the crowd that it
had been a 'honour' and 'privilege' to play against Federer - and that he ate
the grass due to a pact he made with himself as a child, when he dreamt of
winning the title.
He said: 'It tastes very, very good this year - I don't know
what the groundspeople have done but they have done a great job.
'It's a little tradition - as a kid I was really dreaming of
winning Wimbledon, so as every child you dream to do something crazy when you
actually achieve it, if you achieve it and that was one of the things.
The players had been welcomed onto Centre Court this
afternoon by a celebrity-packed crowd. Sherlock star Cumberbatch, 38, was
joined by his father Timothy, while 54-year-old Grant sat with TV executive
Anna Eberstein, the mother of one of his three children
Oscar nominee Cooper, 40, was in the exclusive area after
previously sitting with Federer's camp during the tournament. Former Wimbledon
winners Bjorn Borg, Chrissie Evert and Rod Laver were also Royal Box guests.
House of Commons speaker John Bercow did not try to hide his
support, as he arrived at the All England Club sporting a Roger Federer
baseball cap.
Actresses Kate Winslet, Helena Bonham Carter and Kristin
Scott Thomas were spotted watching the final on Centre Court. Veteran actor Sir
John Hurt, who recently said he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, was
also among the crowd.
Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, Italian
football World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero, actor Clive Owen and Vogue
fashion magazine editor Anna Wintour were also watching on Centre Court.
The Duchess of Cambridge's sister Pippa Middleton and
supermodel Naomi Campbell were also spotted at the All England Club
Federer's form suggested he was capable of clinching his
first grand slam success since 2012 but Djokovic was unstoppable, breaking his
opponent's serve twice in the final set.
Speaking after the match, he said: 'I was aware Roger was
going to play like he always plays, at his best when it matters the most. He
pushes you to your limits, and asks you to work hard on every point. He won't
hand you the match.
'That added a bit more pressure but these parts of matches
you work all your life for. You envision yourself being on Centre Court in this
tournament and holding this trophy. It's a thrilling feeling.
And after equalling Becker's three Wimbledon titles - a
record also held by John McEnroe - Djokovic boasted that the former champion no
longer has the bragging rights over him.
'It's been a long run. Ever since we started working,
obviously it took some time for us to understand each other,' Djokovic said.
'He is somebody who, yes... He is German, I am Serbian so
there is a significant difference there. But we managed to find the right
chemistry and he has contributed a lot. This is his trophy equally as mine and
my entire team, my beautiful wife, my family here, thank you all for supporting
me, I love you.'
He added that he and Becker would be having 'a glass of beer
or a glass of wine' to celebrate.
Spectators appeared to be backing SW19 legend Federer,
celebrating his points with louder cheers. On Henman Hill there was a mix of
fans drinking Pimm's while flying Serbian and Swiss flags.
The players were five games in to their third set when rain
poured down on SW19 prompting a roster of ball boys and girls to roll out the
Centre Court cover.
It is the 40th time the two players, including for last
year's final. They have now won 20 matches each during their meets.
If he had won, Federer would have become the first player in
history to have won the tournament so many times and the oldest male champion
of all time at 33.
The Swiss player defeated Andy Murray in straight sets on
Friday for his place in the final to the disappointment of hundreds gathered on
Murray Mound.
Speaking of the victory, Federer, who was cheered on by his
glamorous wife Mirka, said he felt as though he could not celebrate when
silence fell on the crowd following match point.
Speaking after today's final, he said: 'Novak played not
only great today but for the whole two weeks, plus the year, plus last year,
plus the year before that. He deserves it.
'He was tougher on the big points, and at the end he was
rock solid. He played great and I didn't play bad myself so I can be happy
Serbian Djokovic defeated Federer in last year's final 6–7, 6–4, 7–6 , 5–7, 6–4.
Djokovic won the tournament in 2014 and 2011 and also
stormed through this year's rounds. He faced criticism earlier this week after
shouting in the face of a teenage ball girl, reducing her to tears.
The father-of-one later said he would apologise to the
youngster if he had upset her in any way.
Speaking of his opponent earlier this
week Djokovic, who knocked out France's Richard Gasquet for his place in the
final, said: 'I have a responsibility to play well here in the cradle of
tennis.
'It is an honour to play in the Wimbledon final - the most
watched tennis match in the world. I'm just glad to reach another final. I will
be ready for it.
He dismissed any injury fears after receiving a shoulder
massage from his coach during his semi-final, saying he was 'not worried' about
it.
Of his opponent earlier this week he gushed: 'This is where
(Federer) loves to play. This is where he plays his best tennis, I think: the
Centre Court of Wimbledon; seven titles. It's his court.
0 comments:
Post a Comment