Djokovic dethrones Rafa

New world number one thrashes defending champion in Wimbledon final.

LONDON:

Novak Djokovic won his first Wimbledon title, dethroning champion Rafael Nadal with a 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 triumph to celebrate his coronation as new world number one in style.

It was the 24-year-old Serb’s third Grand Slam title, to add to his 2008 and 2011 Australian Open victories, and his 50th in the last 51 matches.

Djokovic, who will succeed Nadal as world number one when the rankings are published today, also denied the Spaniard, the champion here in 2008 and 2010, an 11th Grand Slam title.

“It’s hard to describe how I feel,” said Djokovic.

“It’s the best day of my life. This is the most special tournament that I always dreamt about winning when I was young.

“I think I am still sleeping and dreaming.

“Rafa has always beaten me in the big matches in the Grand Slams so I had to be on top of my game and I think I played my best match on a grass court.”

“And with being world number one, it’s been a couple of good days in the office.”

Nadal, who was appearing in his 13th Grand Slam final, admitted Djokovic was the better player on the day.

“He has had an amazing season and I congratulate Novak,” said Nadal.

“I can imagine how he feels. It was a dream for me to play here, it always feels like home.

“I tried my best but he was better than me.”

Djokovic went into the final with a 16-11 losing record against Nadal over their five-year rivalry but having won all four of their clashes in 2011 — all in event finals.

Serve dominated until the 10th game when from 30-0 up Nadal handed his opponent a set point with a forehand error which Djokovic gobbled up, forcing another wild forehand out of the Spaniard to take the opener after 41 minutes.

The Serb had been the more convincing in the rallies and Nadal, who committed just seven unforced errors in his semi-final win over Andy Murray, was already up to eight by the time Djokovic was 1-0 ahead in the second set.

Djokovic refused to buckle throughout the match, continuing to match Nadal from the baseline and he broke the Spaniard’s serve again in the eighth game before clinching victory on his first match point. 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2011.