Wimbledon 2019: Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer in five-set classic
The all-time greats produced an instant epic at the All England club, with the Serb triumphing 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 13-12 (7-3) in five hours, two minutes
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Your support makes all the difference.Novak Djokovic triumphed in a five-seat, five-hour epic over Roger Federer after a thrilling Champions tie-break.
The Serb prevailed 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 13-12 (7-3) and saved two Championship points in a back-and-forth contest on Centre Court.
Djokovic now moves to 16 Grand Slams, and is only four away from Federer's all-time record of 20.
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Novak Djokovic, speaking in his post-match press conference:
"It was a huge relief in the end. These matches give value to everything you do. I promised myself to stay calm and composed.
"I knew the atmosphere, Roger was playing well."
"Mentally, the most demanding match I've ever been a part of. Different level, because of everything."
"It was one shot away from losing the match. He was serving extremely well throughout the match. It was kind of a flashback to the US Open, when I saved two match points too."
Djokovic, continued:
He anticpates extremely well, so talented, he has the perfect game for this surface.
"I knew I had to use variety. I thought for most of the match I was on the back-foot actually.
"I tried to play the match in my mind before i go into court, and I don't think I could've imagined this scenario.
"For me, it's a constant battle within. It's how you internally accept situations. I tried to switch off from what was going on around us. I think I could've played better. But it was the mental stability that got me through those moments."
"It's hard to be not aware [of the crowd]. Crowd gets into it,
"At times, you try to ignore it. When the crowd is chanting 'Roger', i hear 'Novak'. It's similar, Roger, Novak!
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