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Celebrities React To Djokovic-Federer Wimbledon Classic

  • Posted: Jul 14, 2019

Celebrities React To Djokovic-Federer Wimbledon Classic

Jul142019

Hugh Jackman, Rod Laver among those talking about historic battle

Tennis fans were glued to their seats for Sunday’s epic Wimbledon final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, which saw the Serbian save two championship points to win the first men’s singles final decided by a tie-break in tournament history.

Rod Laver, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were among the famous faces in attendance, while other celebrities, star athletes and tennis legends reacted to the classic match via social media.

You May Also Like: Djokovic Saves Two MP To Beat Federer In Historic Wimbledon Final

Here’s a look at some of the best tweets about Djokovic and Federer’s historic battle.

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Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer in Wimbledon final-set tie-break thriller

  • Posted: Jul 14, 2019

Novak Djokovic saved two championship points to retain his Wimbledon title with a thrilling final-set tie-break 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).

It was the longest Wimbledon final, at four hours 57 minutes, with a Federer error handing Djokovic victory.

The Serbian world number one has now won 16 Grand Slam titles.

“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.”

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A meeting of the greats serves up a classic

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 the Wimbledon record of four hours 48 minutes play of the 2008 final he lost to Rafael Nadal.

Down in the stats – but up in the match

Anyone looking 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.

There was more drama when the final point had to be replayed after a Hawk-Eye challenge, but Djokovic finally celebrated victory when Federer sent a forehand off the frame of his racquet.

The Serb became the first man to win a Wimbledon singles final after being down match point since 1948 when Bob Falkenburg saved three match points and came back to defeat 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 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

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.”

More to follow.

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Federer: 'It's Such An Incredible Opportunity Missed, I Can't Believe It'

  • Posted: Jul 14, 2019

Federer: ‘It’s Such An Incredible Opportunity Missed, I Can’t Believe It’

Jul142019

Eight-time champion let slip two match points in Wimbledon final

Roger Federer was so close, but yet so far away from lifting his ninth Wimbledon title on Sunday against Novak Djokovic. The Swiss superstar let slip two match points while serving for the match at 8-7, 40/15 in a thrilling fifth set, eventually falling short against the Serbian.

“I don’t know if losing 2-2-2 feels better than this one. At the end, it actually doesn’t matter to some extent. You might feel more disappointed, sad over angry,” Federer said. “I don’t know what I feel right now. I just feel like it’s such an incredible opportunity missed, I can’t believe it. It is what it is.”

On his first opportunity to win the tournament, Federer missed a forehand wide. And on the next point, he pressured Djokovic by approaching to the Serbian’s forehand. The World No. 1 responded with a crosscourt winner past Federer’s outstretched racquet, eventually getting back on serve.

“I was still happy to be at 8-all, 9-all. I don’t remember what it was. You’ve got to try to see the positives, you try to take it as a good thing that you’re not down a break or that the match is not over yet,” Federer said. “If I could have picked it before the match to be at 9-all in the fifth, that wouldn’t be a terrible thing. You just always try to push yourself to see things on the better side. But it was definitely tough to have those chances.”

More From The Championships
Novak Saves Two Match Points To Win All-Time Classic
How The Final Was Won
Roger & Novak At The Championships

The loss will sting for Federer, who was pursuing his 21st Grand Slam title. But it’s not the first time he has suffered a tough loss, and he knows he will have to put it behind him.

“Similar to getting broken when serving for the match: take it on your chin, you move on. You try to forget, try to take the good things out of this match. There’s just tons of it,” Federer said. “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. I think it’s a mindset. I’m very strong at being able to move on because I don’t want to be depressed about actually an amazing tennis match.”

When Federer broke Pete Sampras’ record of 14 major trophies by winning his 15th at Wimbledon in 2009, Djokovic owned just one Grand Slam championship. Now the Serbian has 16 and Rafael Nadal has 18, both within striking range of 37-year-old Federer’s 20.

You May Also Like: Djokovic Joins Nadal At 2019 Nitto ATP Finals

“[It] used to be a really, really big deal, I guess when you were close. I guess two behind, then eventually you tie, then eventually you break. That was big,” Federer said. “It’s been different since, naturally because the chase is in a different place. I take motivation from different places. Not so much from trying to stay ahead, because I broke the record, and if somebody else does, well, that’s great for them. You can’t protect everything, anyway.

“I didn’t become a tennis player for that. I really didn’t. It’s about trying to win Wimbledon, trying to have good runs here, playing in front of such an amazing crowd in this Centre Court against players like Novak and so forth. That’s what I play for. So things are different now. But I’m very happy with my level of play nowadays, still.”

Despite the disappointment, Federer understands that people will remember this match forever. “I will try to forget [it],” Federer said on court after the match. But people will watch replays of this classic for years to come.

Read: Roger & Novak’s Rivalry

“We know what a great sport it is. I don’t think we need the matches, per se. Maybe we need them to sometimes cross over to other sports, maybe get to the fans in the streets and so forth. If that’s the case, that this match did something like this, I think that’s great,” Federer said. “I think it was a great match with wonderful points played. It had everything. Novak played also amazing today. So I hope it resonates in a big way.”

It’s been 11 years since Federer played Nadal — whom he defeated in the semi-finals on Friday — in what many consider to be the best match ever. Federer also fell short in that five-set thriller.

“This one is more straightforward maybe in some ways because we didn’t have the rain delays, we didn’t have the night coming in and all that stuff. But sure, epic ending, so close, so many moments. Yeah, I mean, sure there’s similarities,” Federer said. “I’m the loser both times, so that’s the only similarity I see.”

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Final Updates: Federer vs. Djokovic At Wimbledon

  • Posted: Jul 14, 2019

Final Updates: Federer vs. Djokovic At Wimbledon

Jul142019

ATPTour.com provides updates of the 2019 singles final at The Championships

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer’s legendary rivalry gets another chapter on Sunday when they face off for the Wimbledon title. Both men have become synonymous with championship matches at The All England Club. At least one of them has made it to the final Sunday in all but two editions of The Championships since 2003.

“It’s the final of Wimbledon. This is the kind of match that I always dreamed of being part of as a young boy with the tennis racquet. This is what I worked for. I wanted to be in this position,” said Djokovic. “I have a chance to fight for a trophy. Regardless of who’s across the net or what is happening, I’ll definitely give it my all.”

More About Djokovic v Federer
* Their Rivalry At SW19
* 15 Essential Stats Ahead Of 2019 Final
* Roger & Novak: Every Match Ever Played
* Watch Best Hot Shots

Top seed and defending champion Djokovic leads second seed Federer 25-22 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series. They have the second-most prolific rivalry in the Open Era, only trailing Djokovic-Nadal (54 matches). Federer and Djokovic have squared off in 13 of the 14 most recent seasons on the ATP Tour, but the Serbian has gotten the upper hand lately, winning their past four matches. Djokovic also leads their grass-court series 2-1, prevailing in the 2014 and 2015 Wimbledon finals.

Their recent battles have still been highly competitive, though. Djokovic’s victory over Federer at the 2018 Rolex Paris Masters was named “Best Match Of 2018” by ATPTour.com.

Their familiarity with each other means there will be no secrets when they take to Centre Court. Djokovic knows what he must do to beat Federer, and vice-versa. It will come down to who can execute their game plan most effectively.

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“I think the moment you’ve played somebody more than 15 times, there’s not that much more left out there. You know where the players go when it really matters,” said Federer. “I don’t think there’s much I need to do in terms of practice. This is like school: You’re not going to read lots of books on the day of the test. You don’t have the time. It’s quite clear the work was done way before.”

The two finalists carry different playing styles and personalities, but their paths to Sunday’s final have been similar. Federer and Djokovic each dropped two sets this fortnight, one in the first week and another in the second set of their respective semi-finals, Djokovic against Roberto Bautista Agut and Federer against Rafael Nadal. They’ve also hit more winners than unforced errors in all of their matches this fortnight.

Federer and Djokovic’s dominance for well over a decade makes it easy to forget that they’re both at an age when many of their contemporaries have either slowed down or retired. The 32-year-old Djokovic is looking to win his fourth major title since turning 30, something that only Federer, Nadal and Rod Laver have accomplished in the Open Era. A win on Sunday would also make the Serbian the first man in the Open Era over age 30 to successfully defend a Wimbledon title.

But Djokovic knows that to make history, he must beat history. With eight Wimbledon titles to his name, Federer is considered by many to be greatest grass-court player of all time. The ways in which he gives the World No. 1 trouble are amplified even further on this surface.

“We all know how good he is anywhere, but especially here. This surface complements his game very much. He loves to play very fast. Takes away the time from his opponent. Just doesn’t give you any of the same looks. He rushes you to everything,” said Djokovic. “For players like Nadal or myself that like to have a little more time, it’s a constant pressure that you have to deal with.”

Meanwhile, Federer could become the oldest man (37 years, 340 days) in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title. He’s already made history this fortnight by becoming the first man to win 100 matches at a Grand Slam with his quarter-final victory over Kei Nishikori.

Most Wins By Grand Slam

 Tournament  Player  Wins
 Australian Open  Roger Federer  97
 Roland Garros  Rafael Nadal  93
 Wimbledon  Roger Federer  101
 US Open  Jimmy Connors  98

Reaching his 12th Wimbledon final at age 37 is a mind-boggling achievement on its own. But with 20 major titles to his name already, Federer won’t be content with a runner-up finish. The Swiss believes he’s playing well enough for one last push against Djokovic.

“I know it’s not over yet. There’s no point to start partying tonight or getting too emotional, too happy about it, even though I am extremely happy,” said Federer. “If it was the end of the tournament, it would be very different right now. I’d be speaking very different, feeling very different.

“There is, unfortunately or fortunately, one more match. It’s great on many levels. But I’ve got to put my head down and stay focused.”

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Van Koot and De Groot win wheelchair doubles

  • Posted: Jul 14, 2019

Dutch pair Aniek van Koot and Diede de Groot have won the Wimbledon women’s wheelchair doubles title, beating compatriot Marjolein Buis and Italy’s Giulia Capocci in straight sets.

Van Koot, 28, and De Groot, 22, won 6-1 6-1 in one hour and three minutes.

On Saturday, Van Koot beat partner De Groot in the wheelchair singles final.

Asked about her twin success, Van Koot said: “Who would have imagined that? I never would. It’s been a wonderful weekend.”

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Federer must take it up a level to beat Djokovic – McEnroe

  • Posted: Jul 13, 2019
Wimbledon men’s final on the BBC
Venue: All England Club Dates: 14 July Time: 14:00 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC One from 12:45 and Radio 5 Live Sports Extra from 13:00 plus live text on the BBC Sport website and mobile app. Full details

Roger Federer must “take it up a level” to beat Novak Djokovic and claim a record-equalling ninth Wimbledon singles title, says three-time champion John McEnroe.

Swiss Federer, 37, produced a stellar performance to beat long-time rival Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals.

Serbia’s defending champion and world number one Djokovic, 32, is seen as the favourite by many to win a fifth title.

“Djokovic is a human backboard,” American great McEnroe said.

“It is going to be a tough task.”

Top seed Djokovic, 32, has won three of the past four Grand Slams, while Federer’s most recent major triumph came at the 2018 Australian Open.

Federer, the second seed, has won Wimbledon more times than any other man and will equal Martina Navratilova’s all-time record with a ninth triumph.

It is the first Wimbledon final between the top two men’s seeds since Djokovic and Federer met in 2015.

The pair are meeting for the 48th time in their illustrious careers – only Djokovic and Nadal have played more often.

How they reached the final

Djokovic and Federer have looked on top of their grass-court games on their way to the final.

Djokovic has dropped only two sets, although he has not faced an opponent seeded in the top 20.

Up until his three-hour battle against Nadal, Federer had only dropped sets against Japan’s eighth seed Kei Nishikori and, more surprisingly, South African debutant Lloyd Harris in the opening round.

What they say about each other

Djokovic on Federer:

“We all know how good he is anywhere, but especially here. This surface complements his game very much.

“He loves to play very fast. He takes away the time from his opponent.

“He just rushes you to everything. So for players maybe like Nadal or myself that like to have a little more time, it’s a constant pressure that you have to deal with.

“I’ve played with Roger in some epic finals here a couple years in a row, so I know what to expect.”

Federer on Djokovic:

“If I think of Novak, one thing that jumps out at me, is his jump back and to the left.

“It’s how he’s able to defend on that side, which I think has won him numerous matches and trophies.

“He does that better than anybody. Nobody else really has it as consistent and good as he has.”

Can Djokovic close the gap on Federer in the ‘GOAT’ race?

Djokovic’s semi-final win over Roberto Bautista Agut ensured it would be a major final between two of the ‘big three’ in the men’s game for the first time since 2015.

Federer has won 20 Grand Slam titles – a record for a male player, Djokovic 15 and Nadal 18.

A fifth Wimbledon triumph for Djokovic, who won the 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2018 titles, would take him closer than he has ever been to Federer’s tally.

Almost six years younger than Federer, Djokovic could add plenty more barring a loss of form or fitness.

His pursuit of Federer and Nadal is made more remarkable by the fact he won his first major in 2008 – when Federer had claimed 13 and Nadal five – and only added a second three years later.

Click to see content: big_three_grand_slams

Djokovic unfazed by pro-Federer crowd

Federer, widely considered the greatest grass-court player to have graced Wimbledon, had the backing of the majority of the 15,000 crowd in his semi-final win over Nadal.

Djokovic has struggled to earn the same level of popularity as Federer and Nadal throughout his career and appeared to get tetchy when Centre Court supported Bautista Agut.

He threw his hands into the air when they cheered Bautista Agut winning the second set, then put his fingers to his lips and cupped his ear after winning a 45-shot rally on a break point.

“Regardless of who’s across the net or what is happening around, I’ll definitely give it my all,” Djokovic said.

“It won’t be the first time playing against Nadal nor Federer on the Centre Court. I’ve had that experience more than once. I know what to expect.

“I had enough support here over the years, so I don’t complain.”

‘I see Novak winning in four sets’

John McEnroe, seven-time Grand Slam champion

What I really respect about Novak Djokovic is that he inspires himself [by geeing up the crowd] and plays better. That’s what really matters.

He is one of the all-time great movers on a tennis court. He gets to a lot more balls than people expect. He makes you hit so many extra shots and it drives you nuts.

As for Roger, can you imagine five or six years ago that he would be trading forehands with Rafa Nadal at his age? It’s unthinkable.

Can Federer do it? Of course he can. But I see Novak winning in four sets.

Tim Henman, former British number one and four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist

Federer has got to play even better but the crowd will have a big part to play. The crowd will be massively on his side.

Federer has to get off to a good start but Djokovic is the favourite.

Game, set and stats

  • Djokovic will stay as world number one regardless of Sunday’s outcome, while Federer will rise to second in the rankings if he wins.
  • It will be the 48th meeting between the number one and two seeds in a Grand Slam men’s singles final in the Open era, with the top seed prevailing 24 times.
  • It will be the 15th meeting between the number one and two seeds at Wimbledon, wit the top seed prevailing eight times.
  • Federer is bidding to become the second player to beat Djokovic and Nadal in the same Grand Slam, following in the footsteps of Swiss Stan Wawrinka at the 2014 Australian Open
  • At 37 years 340 days, Federer is bidding to become the oldest player in the Open era to win a Grand Slam men’s singles title

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