Novak Djokovic took sole ownership of eighth place in the all-time Grand Slam championship title winners list Sunday when he captured his ninth major crown.
The top seed clinched his third trophy at Wimbledon when he defeated second seed and seven-time former champion Roger Federer 7-6(1), 6-7(10), 6-4, 6-3 on Centre Court.
It was his 200th Grand Slam match win and also his third triumph at the All England Club, which equals the mark of his coach, Boris Becker, the 1985-86 and 1989 winner. Djokovic is the first man to retain the Wimbledon title since 2007.
“It’s a great privilege to play against Roger, who is a great champion,” Djokovic told BBC television on-court. “He has done so much for our sport on and off the court. It’s a great honour to play him again. I was aware coming onto the court, that Roger would play his best when it matters the most. He pushes you to limits.”
By winning the 54th title of his career, Djokovic earned £1,880,000 in prize money and 2,000 Emirates ATP Rankings points. He is now 48-3 on the season, which includes six trophies.
Federer admitted, “Novak not only played great today, but also this year, last year and the year before that! Well done, Novak, you deserved it. At the end he was rock solid. I didn’t play bad myself, so I can be very happy. That’s the way it goes. Once more, it has been a privilege to play here.”
Federer, now 40-7 in 2015, had been attempting to lift his 18th Grand Slam championship crown. It was his 10th Wimbledon final (7-3 record).
