Fendrich on Tennis: Djokovic closing in on Federer, Nadal

Sealing victory in just under three hours, Djokovic soaked up the applauds before crouching down to perform his traditional celebration of eating the Wimbledon grass.

“You can have good tournaments without winning, as well, at the end”.

While Federer’s defeat left Centre Court’s 15,000 fans deflated, his 2009 Wimbledon final victim, Andy Roddick, put it into perspective by saying: “I feel as badly for Roger as I can for someone who has won 17 grand slams”.

In the twilight of his brilliant career, Federer hasn’t claimed a major since 2012, but he insists his final pain will only increase his desire to win at least one more. He remains tied with Pete Sampras and William Renshaw for the most Wimbledon titles.

“It tasted very, very good this year”, said Djokovic.

His wish was fulfilled as the pair danced to “Night Fever” by the Bee Gees, although that was not the song Djokovic had originally hoped for.

Federer then had a couple of chances to take the first set, but Djokovic fought him off with some well-timed serves. Federer would have become the oldest champion in the open era but he came up against a brick wall in Djokovic who just kept on getting the Swiss player’s serve back.

Also, check out this video of Djokovic and Williams doing the Gangnam Style dance in 2013 for Kids Tennis Day during the Australian Open. Federer came up big each time.

Top seed and defending champion Djokovic had other ideas, though, prevailing 7-6 (7/1) 6-7 (10/12) 6-4 6-3 to seal his ninth grand slam crown.

Throughout the second set, it appeared as though Djokovic was rolling.

Federer wasted two break points in the fifth and 11th games of the second set having saved a first set point in the 10th. With Djokovic up 3-2, the match had a 20-minute rain delay, but neither player was affected.

Sunday’s event was the 40th career matchup between Djokovic and Federer. He held serve in 89 of 90 games until the final, when Djokovic earned four breaks.

“He was better on the bigger points”, Federer noted. There’s no doubt about it. But like you said, I still think I can be very happy with the level of play. “That’s how it goes”.

Djokovic equaled the number of Wimbledon titles won by his coach Boris Becker, who won at the All England Club in 1985, ’86 and ’89.

And he admits the 28-year-old Serb will deserve to ranked in the same bracket as the all-time greats if he can maintain his remarkable consistency over the next few years. He’s a great champion.

“If you would ask me as a 14-year-old back in Serbia trying to find my way, you know, that this is how I’m going to end up at 28, of course I would sign the deal and take it right away”.

Obviously it wasn’t. A year ago, Djokovic outlasted Federer in five seats and some tennis people thought that was Federer’s last hurrah.

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton missed the Wimbledon men’s singles final on Sunday due to “an unfortunate misunderstanding regarding dress code”.