[ad_1]
LONDON – Novak Djokovic tied Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in winning his 20th Grand Slam title on Sunday, coming back to beat Matteo Berrettini 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the Wimbledon final.
The first Djokovic won his third consecutive championship at the All England Club and his sixth overall.
He adds that nine titles at the Australian Open, three at the US Open and two at the French Open equal his two rivals for the most major tournaments won by a man in tennis history.
“I have to pay a big tribute to Rafa and Roger,” Djokovic said during the post-match interview on the pitch. “They are legends of our sport and they are the two most important players I have ever faced in my career. I think they are the reason I am where I am today. have helped to achieve what I need to do in order to improve myself, to become stronger mentally, physically, tactically. “
The 34-year-old Serb is now the only man since 1969 to have won the first three majors of a season. He can aim for a one-calendar-year Grand Slam – something a man last accomplished when Rod Laver did it 52 years ago – at the US Open, which begins August 30.
“I could definitely imagine that would happen,” Djokovic said. “I’ll definitely give it a go. I’m in great shape and obviously playing well. Playing my best Grand Slam tennis is the highest priority I have right now at this point in my career. keep it there. “
Federer, who lost in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon this year, tweeted his encouragement to Djokovic.
Congratulations Novak on your 20th major. I am proud to have the opportunity to play in a special era of tennis champions. Wonderful service, well done!
-Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) July 11, 2021
It was Djokovic’s 30th major final – in men, only Federer played more with 31 – and the first for Berrettini, a 25-year-old Italian who was seeded No.7.
It was a great sporting day in London for the Italians: their national football team faced England at Wembley Stadium in the European Championship final on the night.
With Marija Cicak officiating, the first female chair umpire for a men’s final in a tournament that began in 1877, the game began on center court as the sun made a rare appearance during the fortnight, the sky visible between the clouds.
The opener showed signs of nervousness from both, but especially Djokovic, whose pair of double faults contributed to the half-dozen unforced errors combined, against zero winners for either or the other. He faced a breaking point but stabilized and held on and, as was the case with every set, it was Djokovic who took the lead by winning over Berrettini’s quick serve. .
Berrettini came in with tournament-high 101 aces, and that’s where his game is built: free points on the serve and quick forehands that have earned him the nickname “Hammer.”
These powerful blows sent the linesmen to contort themselves to put their heads out of harm’s way. Djokovic covered himself at times, crouching down and raising his racket as if it were a shield to block back serves directed against his body.
Few opponents return serves at 137 mph and end up winning the point, but Djokovic has done it at least twice. And the big groundstrokes the 6-foot-5 barrel-chest Berrettini can overtake most other players kept coming back to Djokovic’s racket.
This is what Djokovic does: he just makes his enemies work so hard to earn every point, let alone a match, a set, a match.
Indeed, it could have been finished much earlier: Djokovic took the lead 4-1 in the first set, 4-0 in the second and 3-1 in the third. But in the former, in particular, he faltered as he rarely does, losing a set point and getting broken when he served for that at 5-3.
In the ensuing tiebreaker they were tied at 3, but Berrettini won three of the next four points with forehands and finished with an ace at 138 mph.
He strutted for change and many in the packed hall of nearly 15,000 stood up to celebrate with him.
But Djokovic is nothing but a fighter – he turned it around after two sets in the Roland Garros final last month – and he returned in this one, which ended with Djokovic. on his back on the ground, basking the cheers of the crowd.
“The past 10 years have been an incredible journey that doesn’t end there,” said Djokovic.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
[ad_2]
Source link