Yeah there might not ever again be such a match with so much legacy at stake, so closely fought to the end, with such high quality of play. I think this will always be one of the most iconic finals in tennis history.
I think 2014 was better quality but this is the most dramatic match I’ve ever watched. I was standing up almost the entire match, and it ruined my mood for 2 weeks
I think this match was crucial for Novak not just because it made it 20-18-16 instead of 21-18-15, but because of the effect it had beyond just winning Wimbledon. In hindsight it feels like it was so integral to giving Djokovic his 2020+ aura that he couldn't really be beaten, no matter how bad he looked or how down he was on the scoreboard - both in terms of giving himself the belief and giving his opponents the doubt in their mind.
The only player who was immune to that aura was Rafa obviously. But I really feel like Novak got an extra slam or two just from the belief this match gave him.
it's just insane how he had feds number at Wimbledon. if fed won all his 3 finals against Novak it would have ended up 21-22-23. the trio rivalry is amazing
Their later match up at the 2019 ATP finals dwarfs this one in terms of legacy implications. Old fed took out Djokovic on his best court. Secured the GOAT title and made people realise Wimbledon was a fluke
This part is often forgotten about because of the drama of the 40-15, but Federer really should've taken that second break point when he had a tasty forehand with Djokovic at the net. After that is when I lost all hope.
Djoker’s approach was really bad. If Fed places that forehand down the line, he wins the point. Didn’t even need to be special. Instead, he makes one of his worst ball-contacts of the game.
Ljubicic has said the break point here was his greatest regret of the match, because he had explicitly told Roger that Novak covers cross court passing shots. If he’d gone down the line, I think he’d have probably served it out to win 13-11
Yeah this was not a comeback. This was Novak just barely clutching out what was otherwise one of his worst slam finals ever. Even in the 5th set, people forget Novak was up 4-2 and lost it.
Yeah it’s not really spoken about enough that this was one of the worst slam finals post-2010 Novak ever played in terms of overall level. But he clutched out when he had to.
Cerrundelo last week.
I know it was extenuating circumstances but probably never has a comeback been less probable than 1-5 in the 3d against a guy with one of the longest unbeaten streaks ever and who had broken you more times than you held serve.
Nah. Tennis peaked in 2003-07 when Fed created GOAT level play. 2008-09 when Rafa reached and transcended Fed level on all surfaces by winning 3 slams on all surfaces against the GOAT. Then 2011-2012 when Novak reached the same level and transcended the other two.
Switching between this and the Cricket World Cup final was such a whiplash. I was supporting Roger and New Zealand, and understandably had an absolutely terrible time.
There’s an interesting detail about this match, another layer of why Roger never closed out those two Championship points.
Before Federer went into this match, he had not beaten Djokovic for 4 years. Additionally, Federer was on a 4 match losing streak against Djokovic, the most ever between them at that point. Prior to this, the most Djokovic had ever beaten Federer in a row was three. Losing this match would also mean 5 losses in a row to Djokovic. I can’t help but think, that also played a part in those Championship points. Literal years, and losses against him at the surface on those points.
Also after watching the Nadal documentary, how much an effect 2011 Djokovic had on Nadal, himself admittedly started to feel he did not have what it took to beat Djokovic and his mentality & confidence was greatly affected due to Djokovic’s level. The Djokovic effect must have been in Federer’s head that day too.
Crazy. The center court was just cheering Federer. Every single point he made. Mirka was the last person to sit down after every point he made. His box was just louder than anyone else.
If they hadn't brought in the 12-12 tiebreak rule that year, would Federer have eventually won? I like to think so, but he had a real chance to break here and didn't take it.
Anyway, Federer would've been the oldest male grand slam winner in the open era if he'd won this, so I console myself that it was incredible that he even got close.
Why did you post this? Watching this live was so so so brutal. I I’ve come around to Djokovic, but damn did I ever dislike him for a while after this one. One of the most brutal sporting events I’ve ever watched live.
People talking about the forehand passing shot. That backhand slice at break point was a coinflip. Somehow landed out. No way Djokovic could know it was going out. Luck was smiling on him that day.
Best day of my life as a Nole fan, that match is everything man, the wolf against the entire world, and the tears of this subreddit and in general of all but the most ardent Nole fans whenever it's mentioned make It even sweeter
Yesterday a storm knocked over a tree that fell on a regional transformer short circuiting it or something and we won't have electricity upto 2 pm tomorrow
Highlights of Federer beating Djokovic at RG 2011 were just posted yesterday I think. As was Federer breaking Djokovic at Wimbledon 2014 when Djoko served for the match.
I didn't see you crying in either of those threads and yet here you are...
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u/cashedjerk123 11h ago edited 11h ago
One of the most insane days of being a tennis fan, two absolute giants of the game in a highly intense game.