How Novak Djokovic survived the longest final in Wimbledon history
In short: In a marathon match lasting nearly five hours, Novak Djokovic faced a historic turning point. By saving two championship points in the fifth set, he did something no man had achieved at Wimbledon since 1948, securing his fifth title at the All England Club in a landmark encounter.
The 2019 Wimbledon men's singles final was a grueling spectacle that lasted 4 hours and 57 minutes, making it the longest singles final in the tournament's history. Novak Djokovic, entering as the defending champion, faced Roger Federer in a match that tested the limits of endurance and mental fortitude. The contest was decided by a new, experimental rule: for the first time in Wimbledon history, a tiebreak was introduced if the final set reached a 12–12 deadlock. Djokovic ultimately won that deciding tiebreak 7–3 to secure the victory.
This victory was significant not just for the trophy, but for the historical precedents it set. Djokovic was the inaugural male player since Bob Falkenburg in 1948 to secure a Wimbledon trophy after facing championship points. He was also the first man to save championship points to win a major since the 2004 French Open. This feat placed him in elite company alongside Rod Laver and Serena Williams, who had also won major titles after saving match points during a tournament.
For Federer, the tournament was a milestone of longevity and a final chapter in a legendary rivalry. Aged 37 years, 11 months, and 6 days, he was the oldest male to qualify for a major final since Ken Rosewall in 1974. The tournament also featured the final professional meeting between Federer and Rafael Nadal, with Federer winning their 40th encounter to leave the head-to-head at 16–24 in Nadal's favor. Notably, this was the last time the 'Big Three'—Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal—all appeared together in the semifinals of a single tournament.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2019 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles
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