Novak Djokovic attends a press conference
Novak Djokovic has described his epic victory over Roger Federer in the 2019 Wimbledon final as the “most nerve-racking” match he has ever played.
Djokovic overcame Federer 7-6(5), 1-6, 7-6(4), 4-6, 13-12(3) in the 2019 Wimbledon title match to win his fifth crown at the All England Club and 16th Grand Slam overall. At four hours and 57 minutes, it remains the longest singles final in Wimbledon history.
Federer won 14 more points, four more games, hit 40 more winners and broke serve four more times than Djokovic, but his rival was remarkable in the most important moments.
Djokovic saved two championship points with Federer serving at 8-7, 40-15 in the fifth set, while he did not make a single unforced error in the three tiebreaks he crucially won. He also fought off a set point before the third set went to a tiebreak.
The Serbian denied Federer what would have been a ninth Wimbledon title and 21st Grand Slam crown, with the Swiss having won his last major at the 2018 Australian Open. Djokovic has gone on to win a further eight majors, taking his tally to a record 24.
It was the second time Djokovic saved match points en route to winning a Grand Slam title after he saved two in his five-set 2011 US Open semi-final win over Federer.
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In an interview with Head Tennis, the racket manufacturer Djokovic has used since 2009, the Serbian admitted Federer had been the better player in the match.
“Match in which he (Federer) was a better player, you know statistically, if you see, won more points, just had all the stats on his side,” the 37-year-old said.
“He broke my serve and he was serving for it, I think 8-7 in the fifth set, 40-15 down, you know, I just try to make him play, make him earn his victory.
“Probably the most nerve-racking match I was ever part of, but I just found a way to win it.”
Djokovic spoke about his renowned mental strength at the end of the 2023 season.
“It’s not a gift. It’s something that comes with work. There are different techniques. Conscious breathing is a big part, especially in the moments when you’re under tension,” he told CBS’s 60 Minutes.
“I might appear maybe locked in. But trust me, there is a storm inside. And, you know, the biggest battle is within, right? You have your doubts and fears. I feel it every single match.
“I don’t like this kind of a mindset that I see a lot in sports. Like, ‘Just think positive thoughts. Be optimistic. There is no room for failure. There is no room for, you know, doubts,’ and stuff like this. It’s, it’s impossible to do that…
“You are a human being. The difference, I guess, between the guys who are able to be biggest champions and the ones that are struggling to get to the highest level is the ability to not stay in those emotions for too long.
“So, for me, it’s really relatively short. So as soon as I experience it, I acknowledge it. I maybe, you know, burst. I scream on the court, whatever happens. But then I’m able to bounce back and reset.”
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