Novak Djokovic Wins Wimbledon, Secures 20th Grand Slam Trophy
World number one Novak Djokovic beat Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4 6-3 on Sunday to win his sixth title at Wimbledon, equalling the men’s Grand Slam record of 20 held by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
He also completed the third leg towards achieving the Golden Slam. No man has ever won the four slams and an Olympic gold in the same year.
Djokovic, 34, who came into the title clash having beaten Berrettini in both of their previous meetings, opened a 5-2 lead in the first set with an early break. However, the Italian fought back to force a tiebreak which he clinched to win the first set.
The Serbian reacted by racing to a 4-0 lead in the second set before going on to level the match.
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A single break of serve in the third and two more breaks in the fourth were enough for Djokovic to close out the contest in front of a raucous Centre Court crowd, who kept on chanting the Italian underdog’s name.
Djokovic sealed his place in the record books on his third match point when Berrettini’s backhand slice landed in the net.
Having also won the Australian and French Open titles in 2021, Djokovic only needs to win the U.S. Open to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the calendar slam.
“That was more than a battle,” Djokovic said. “Winning Wimbledon was always a biggest dream of mine when I was a kid. I have to remind myself how special this is, and not take this for granted. I have to pay great tribute to Rafa and Roger.”
“They are legends of our sport and they are the two most important players that I ever faced in my career. They are the reason that I’m where I am today,” Djokovic added.
“They’ve helped me realise what I need to do in order to improve and get stronger mentally, physically, tactically.”
“The last 10 years have been an incredible journey. It’s not stopping here. I’m in great form and obviously playing well and playing my best tennis at Grand Slams. It is the highest priority that I have right now at this stage of my career. So let’s keep it going.”
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
