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World reacts to epic Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic

Stunned tennis stars lost their minds as they reacted to an astonishing five-hour final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

James MattheyJames Matthey
@jamesmatthey
5 min read
July 15, 2019 - 6:44AM
Federer and Djokovic's epic 35-shot rally

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic nearly broke the internet as they sent the tennis world into meltdown with a remarkable Wimbledon final that will never be forgotten.

Djokovic emerged victorious in the longest men’s final ever seen at the All England Club as the two tennis superstars dragged their epic out for four hours and 57 minutes – including a final set that went for more than two hours.

The Serbian eventually eclipsed Federer 7-6 1-6 7-6 4-6 13-12 (7-3) as we witnessed the first ever fifth set tiebreak at the iconic major – and if we didn’t have that then both men might still have been on court tomorrow.

RELATED: How the match played out

Federer was devastated and being unable to take advantage of two championship points in the fifth set and was the unlucky loser on a momentous day for the entire sport.

As former British star Tim Henman said on the BBC broadcast, it’s a match “the tennis world will reflect on for a long time to come”.

Ex-Aussie player Rennae Stubbs said what everyone was thinking during a crazy fifth set that set new benchmarks for insane momentum shifts and others on social media were just as stunned.

NOVAK: ‘IT’S QUITE UNREAL’

Djokovic was too exhausted to let out a customary roar or beat his chest when he sealed the match just shy of the five-hour mark.

The 32-year-old was spent as he gave his on-court interview, paying tribute to Federer as he tried to reflect on a moment he will never forget.

“I think this was, if not the most exciting and thrilling final I was ever part of then definitely top two or three in my career against one of the greatest players of all time in Roger, who I respect a lot,” Djokovic said.

“Unfortunately in these kind of matches, one of the players has to lose.

“It’s quite unreal to be two match points down and come back … and quite strange to play a tie-break at 12-all too.

“I know I’ve said this before but when I was a boy … this always has been the tournament for me. It’s where I wanted to participate and where I wanted to win one day.”

Serbia's Novak Djokovic holds the winner's trophy. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / POOL / AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic holds the winner's trophy. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / POOL / AFP)

FEDERER: ‘FOR NOW, IT HURTS’

Federer’s pain was obvious but like the class act he is, he heaped praise on his longtime rival and summed up what it was like to contribute to the absolute madness that was the five-set thriller.

“It was a great match. It was long, it had everything,” Federer said. “I had my chances, so did he, we played some great tennis so in a way I’m happy with my performance as well.

“But Novak, congratulations man, that was great. That was crazy.

“I hope I give people the chance to believe, at 37, it’s not over yet.”

In his post-match press conference, Federer was despondent but still tried to reflect on being part of such a special occasion – a difficult task given the result he’d just had to swallow.

“I mean, all of us working in this sport, 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,” he 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.

“You try to take the good things out of this match. There’s just tons of it.

“Like similar to 2008 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.”

Roger Federer reacts following his defeat. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Roger Federer reacts following his defeat. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

TENNIS LEGENDS BLOWN AWAY

Like most analysts, what surprised Tim Henman the most is how Federer managed to lose a match where, for the most part, he was the better player.

Djokovic didn’t get a break point opportunity until the fourth set but the Swiss star bottled it in first and third set tiebreaks, which punctuated dominant showings in the second and fourth sets. The Serbian played better in the biggest moments and that’s what counted most in the end.

“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,” Henman said.

“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.

“Federer played a fantastic match and that will be the frustration. He got so close to the finish line. Not to finish it off is going to be massively disappointing.

“He has to brush himself down. There’s a lot more tennis still to come this year and with his fitness he can still go on to win titles in future.”

Tennis legend Boris Becker was in awe of the showcase a raucous Centre Court crowd was treated to, saying fans would have been happy with even a sliver of the drama Djokovic and Federer served up on an astonishing day.

“There were so many highlight shots, there were so many changes, so much drama, we asked for a final and if we’d got 10 per cent of that we’d have been happy,” he told the BBC.

“Last year’s final between Novak and Kevin Anderson, who was tired after the long semi-final, ended up being a no-match.

“Everything today was the opposite, everything today was why love the sport.”

Hug it out. (Photo by WILL OLIVER / POOL / AFP)
Hug it out. (Photo by WILL OLIVER / POOL / AFP)

Becker also lavished praise on Federer as he defied the odds to stay with Djokovic despite many pundits suggesting pre-match his 37-year-old legs wouldn’t be able to keep up with the younger man if the contest went to a deciding fifth set.

“All the compliments in the world to Roger Federer, for the performances over the past two weeks, showing he’s still one of the top players in the world, and one point away from a record ninth Wimbledon title,” Becker said.

“He’s an ambassador for all men, not just sportsmen, he’s in great shape.

“We said before that the longer the match goes on, the better it would be for Djokovic. But Roger was as fit as a fiddle in the fifth set.”

Aussie Pat Cash, who won Wimbledon more than three decades ago, put it bluntly in radio commentary for BBC 5 Live when he said: “That is going to sting for Roger Federer after losing two championship points.”

Another Aussie legend, Rod Laver, watched the action from the Royal Box and was thankful to have the best seat in the house for the amazing final.

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