Google Play App Download

Tennis News

From around the world

Djokovic On Wimbledon Win: 'Mentally Most Demanding' Match Of My Life

  • Posted: Jul 14, 2019

Djokovic On Wimbledon Win: ‘Mentally Most Demanding’ Match Of My Life

Jul142019

Serbian details how he came back against Federer

Novak Djokovic has competed in some of the most memorable and challenging matches in Open Era history, including the 2012 Australian Open final, when Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal in the longest Grand Slam final match in history – five hours, 53 minutes.

But no match has asked more of Djokovic mentally than did his Wimbledon final against Roger Federer on Sunday. The Serbian saved two match points and won his fifth Wimbledon championship 7-6(5), 1-6, 7-6(4), 4-6, 13-12(3) in four hours, 57 minutes, the longest men’s final in tournament history (since 1877), nine minutes longer than the 2008 final (Nadal d. Federer). To prevail, he had to constantly rely on his mental reserves and inner belief.

“It was probably the most demanding, mentally most demanding, match I was ever part of. I had the most physically demanding match against Nadal in the final of Australia that went almost six hours. But mentally this was a different level because of everything,” Djokovic said.

“I’m just obviously thrilled and overjoyed with emotions to be sitting here in front of you as a winner. It was one shot away from losing the match, as well. This match had everything. It could have gone easily his way.”

More From The Championships
Match Report: Djokovic Saves Two Match Points In Instant Classic
Social Media Reacts To Djokovic-Federer Final
Federer: ‘I Can’t Believe it’
Djokovic Joins Nadal At #NittoATPFinals

Federer had two championship points at 8-7, 40/15 in the fifth set, but the Serbian broke and won the first fifth-set tie-break in Wimbledon history for his 16th Grand Slam crown.

“One thing that probably allowed me to come back and save match points and win this match was the mental stability in those moments,” Djokovic said.

“You need to be constantly playing well throughout five hours if you want to win a match like this. I guess there is an endurance part. But I think there is always this self-belief. You have to keep reminding yourself that you’re there for a reason and that you are better than the other guy.

“As hard as the moment is that you are in, the more you have to remind yourself, the more you have to talk to yourself.”

Are You In? Subscribe Now!

In some ways, the 37-year-old Federer outplayed the Serbian. The Swiss hit 40 more winners (94-54), won 14 more points overall (218-204) and broke four more times (seven to three). But Djokovic raised his level in the tie-breaks.

“I thought most of the match I was on the back foot actually. I was defending. He was dictating the play. I just tried to fight and find a way when it mattered the most, which is what happened,” Djokovic said. “In the most important moments, all three tie-breaks… I found my best game.”

The Serbian, who has won four of the past five major championships, is now within two Grand Slam titles of Rafael Nadal (18) and four of Federer (20). Djokovic admitted his longtime rivals continue to push him.

“We’re making each other grow and evolve and still be in this game,” Djokovic said. “Those two guys [are] probably one of the biggest reasons I still compete at this level. The fact that they made history of this sport motivates me as well, inspires me to try to do what they have done, what they’ve achieved, and even more.”

Source link

Strycova & Hsieh win women's doubles title

  • Posted: Jul 14, 2019

Czech Barbora Strycova and Chinese Taipei’s Hsieh Su-wei defeated Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and China’s Yifan Xu in straight sets to win the Wimbledon women’s doubles title on Centre Court.

Third seeds Strycova, a singles semi-finalist, and partner Hsieh triumphed 6-2 6-4 in one hour and six minutes.

Following a first Grand Slam title for the pair, Strycova, 33, moves to number one in the women’s doubles rankings.

Earlier, Ivan Dodig and Latisha Chan claimed the mixed doubles title.

Croat Dodig, 34, and Taiwanese Chan, 29, prevailed 6-2 6-3 against Sweden’s Robert Lindstedt and Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko in one hour and 10 minutes.

Crowned French Open champions in June, the eighth seeds dominated the first set and secured the decisive break in the eighth game of the second set.

  • Djokovic beats Federer in thrilling five-set men’s final
  • Fernandez wins men’s wheelchair singles final
  • Cabal and Farah win men’s doubles
  • Halep on winning Wimbledon

Source link

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.

Source link

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.”

  • Follow Wimbledon final reaction – TV, radio & text
  • Live scores, schedule and results
  • Alerts: Get tennis news sent to your phone

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.

Source link

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.”

Source link