Novak Djokovic outlasts Roger Federer in a marathon fifth set to win his fifth Wimbledon title and 16th Grand Slam. (3:06)

Novak Djokovic outlasted Roger Federer in an epic five-set match Sunday, winning the first fifth-set tiebreaker in a Wimbledon men's final to repeat as the men's champion for the second time and win his fifth title at the All England Club.

The fifth-set tiebreaker was also the first in any men's final at the four Grand Slams.

The top-seeded Djokovic defeated Federer 7-6 (5), 1-6, 7-6 (4), 4-6, 13-12 (3) to remain unbeaten against the second-seeded Swiss in three Wimbledon final matchups. Djokovic also won in 2014 and '15, when he repeated as champion for the first time.

He won his first Wimbledon title in 2011.

At four hours and 57 minutes, it was the longest final in Wimbledon history, featuring 68 games, 422 points (218 for Federer and 204 for Djokovic) and 35 aces.

"Unfortunately in these kinds of matches,'' Djokovic said, "one of the players has to lose.''

Djokovic, 32, saved two match points to reach the fifth-set tiebreaker, becoming the first man since 1948 to save championship points in the final and go on to win.

"I'm just obviously thrilled and overjoyed with emotions to be sitting here in front of you as a winner. It was one shot away from losing the match, as well," he said. "This match had everything. It could have gone easily his way. He was serving extremely well, I thought, the entire match."

First it was Federer who kept falling behind, then coming back. He twice trailed by a set even though he came quite close to winning the match in three: Federer was two points from grabbing the opening set on seven occasions but couldn't do it; he was one point from seizing the third, but again came up short.

Novak Djokovic outlasted Roger Federer in the longest final in Wimbledon history to win his fifth men's title at the All England Club. Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP

Then Federer was down a break early in the fifth. And after seemingly gaining the upper hand, standing a single point from winning while serving for the victory at 8-7, 40-15, he faltered.

He sent a forehand wide on the first championship point, and Djokovic produced a crosscourt forehand winner on the next. Soon enough, Djokovic had broken back and on they would play for another 45 minutes.

"Definitely tough to have those chances," Federer said.

The crowd was decidedly pro-Federer and Djokovic said it was "hard not to be aware."

"I like to transmutate it in a way: When the crowd is chanting 'Roger,' I hear 'Novak,' he said, smiling. "It sounds silly, but it is like that. I try to convince myself that it's like that."

play 1:44 Djokovic: When the crowd chanted 'Roger,' I heard 'Novak' 2019 Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic outlines how he phased out the All England Club crowd's heavy support for his opponent, Roger Federer.

Federer, at 37 years and 340 days old, was seeking to become the oldest men's Grand Slam winner in the Open era (since 1968).

It is Djokovic's 16th Grand Slam title overall, moving him to within four of Federer's record 20. Rafael Nadal is second on the list with 18 Grand Slam victories.

Federer said he isn't thinking about Nadal and Djokovic threatening his record.

"I take motivation from different places, you know. Not so much from trying to stay ahead because I broke the record, and if somebody else does, well, that's great for them. You can't protect everything anyway," he said.

"I didn't become a tennis player for that. I really didn't. It's about trying to win Wimbledon, trying to have good runs here, playing in front of such an amazing crowd in this Centre Court against players like Novak and so forth. That's what I play for."

Wimbledon traditionally didn't play tiebreakers in the final set of matches but introduced one for this year if the score reaches 12-12.

ESPN Stats & Information and The Associated Press contributed to this report. </s> Defending champion Novak Djokovic claimed his fifth Wimbledon title on Sunday beating eight-time champion Roger Federer 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 13-12 (7/3) in the longest ever final and settled by an historic tie-break.

 The 32-year-old Serbian saved two match points as he took his Grand Slam tally to 16, four off Federer’s overall record.

 Djokovic’s victory extends to 11 successive Grand Slams won by the big three, himself, Federer and Rafael Nadal.

 At 4 hours and 57 minutes it was the longest final at Wimbledon.

 Stan Wawrinka was the last player outside the trio to win a Grand Slam, the 2016 US Open beating Djokovic.

 The last player to win a Grand Slam aged under 30 was Andy Murray, who won the 2016 Wimbledon title aged 29. </s> LONDON (AFP) - Defending champion Novak Djokovic claimed his fifth Wimbledon title on Sunday (July 14) beating eight-time champion Roger Federer 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 13-12 (7/3) in the longest ever final and settled by an historic tie-break.

The 32-year-old Serbian saved two match points as he took his Grand Slam tally to 16, four off Federer's overall record.

Djokovic's victory extends to 11 successive Grand Slams won by the big three, himself, Federer and Rafael Nadal.

At 4 hours and 57 minutes it was the longest final at Wimbledon.

Stan Wawrinka was the last player outside the trio to win a Grand Slam, the 2016 US Open beating Djokovic.

The last player to win a Grand Slam aged under 30 was Andy Murray, who won the 2016 Wimbledon title aged 29. </s> Roger Federer is one victory away from a ninth Wimbledon title. Four-time champion Novak Djokovic is standing in the way. Federer and Djokovic will meet in the men's final at the All England Club for the third time. Djokovic won both of those previous matchups, in 2014 and 2015. Federer did get the better of Djokovic at Wimbledon on Centre Court once, beating the Serb in the semifinals in 2012. Federer, who is 37, is going for his 21st major title, while Djokovic, 32, is eyeing his 16th. Djokovic leads their head-to-head series 25-22, including 9-6 at Grand Slam tournaments.

Switzerland's Roger Federer returns to Spain's Rafael Nadal in a Men's singles semifinal match on day eleven of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Friday, July 12, 2019. (Adrian Dennis/Pool Photo via AP)

3 - Unforced errors made by Simona Halep, the fewest on record in a Wimbledon final.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The day I stop fighting for equality and for people that look like you and me will be the day I'm in my grave." - Serena Williams, responding to a reporter's question at her post-match news conference.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns to Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in a Men's singles semifinal match on day eleven of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Friday, July 12, 2019. (Andy Rain/Pool Photo via AP)

Romania's Simona Halep poses with the trophy after defeating United States' Serena Williams during the women's singles final match on day twelve of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

United States' Serena Williams reacts after losing a point to Romania's Simona Halep, background right, during the women's singles final match on day twelve of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) </s> Serbia’s Novak Djokovic has defeated South Africa’s Kevin Anderson in a three-set match at Wimbledon’s men’s single final today. The 6-2 6-2 7-6 victory marks Njokovic’s fourth Wimbledon win and 13th Grand Slam title overall, his last having been won at the 2016 French Open.

“The last couple of years haven’t been easy,” said Djokovic of the win. “I had surgery and was absent from the tour for six months. This was my first grand slam final after a couple of years. There was no better place to make my comeback. This is a sacred place for tennis. I always dreamed of holding this trophy when I was a young boy.”

“Playing against Novak isn’t easy,” added Anderson. “Congratulations to him. I’m not feeling as fresh now as I was coming into the week. But this is an amazing tournament for all of us. That’s what it had to take for me to get here. I would have given another 21 hours to have the opportunity to play out here.”

After suffering an elbow injury that caused Djokovic to withdraw from the 2017 Wimbledon quarterfinal, his win at Wimbledon today marks his first major victory in more than two years. In yesterday’s semifinal match, Djokovic had defeated Spain’s Rafael Nadal, the world number one, in a five-set match.

Meanwhile, had he won today’s match, Anderson would have gained his first Grand Slam title. He came close at the 2017 US Open final, but lost against Spain’s Rafael Nadal. At this year’s Wimbledon men’s semifinal, he defeated America’s John Isner in a gruelling match that lasted six hours and 35 minutes, the second longest in Wimbledon history.

Watch Venus Williams’s 7 Best Workout Moves for a Grand Slam Body—Just Ahead of Wimbledon </s> (Reuters) - Factbox on Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, who beat Switzerland’s Roger Federer 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 13-12(3) to win his 16th Grand Slam title on Sunday:

** His father was a professional skier and wanted his son to follow in his footsteps or play professional soccer but changed his mind when Djokovic excelled at tennis from an early age.

** First full year on tour in 2005. Made Grand Slam debut as a qualifier at the Australian Open, losing to Russian Marat Safin in the first round. Finished as the youngest player (18 years, five months) inside the top 100.

** In 2006, he won his first ATP tour title at Amersfoort.

** Retired in the 2006 French Open quarter-finals against Nadal when trailing by two sets, and again a year later due to blisters in the Wimbledon semi-final against the same opponent.

** Won five titles in 2007 (Adelaide, Miami, Estoril, Montreal and Vienna) and reached his first Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open, losing to Roger Federer.

** Beat Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win his maiden Grand Slam title at the 2008 Australian Open — becoming the first Serbian man to win one of the four majors.

** Failed to defend his title in Melbourne the following year after pulling out of his quarter-final against American Andy Roddick citing heat exhaustion.

** Led Serbia to their first Davis Cup title with victory over France in Belgrade in December 2010.

** Began 2011 by winning the Australian Open, beating Briton Andy Murray in the final, to end his three-year wait for a second Grand Slam title.

** Won his next six tournaments in Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, Belgrade, Madrid and Rome. Did not lose again until June 3 when Federer ended his 41-match winning streak in the French Open semi-finals.

** Secured the number one spot on July 4, 2011 by beating Tsonga in the Wimbledon semi-finals, then beat Nadal to clinch his first Wimbledon crown, his first title on grass.

** Saved two match points to beat Federer in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open then defeated Nadal in the final to become the seventh man to win three Grand Slam titles in a year since tennis turned professional in 1968.

** Won his third Australian Open title in 2012 by beating Nadal in five hours and 53 minutes.

** Began 2013 by beating Murray to become the first man in the professional era to win three successive Australian Open titles.

** Reached all four Grand Slam finals in 2015. Began the year by capturing a fifth Australian Open title, then missed out on the French Open again — his third loss in the title match —after falling to Stan Wawrinka in the final.

** Five weeks later drew level with his coach Boris Becker’s Wimbledon haul of three titles by defeating Federer in the All England Club final. Beat Federer in U.S. Open final, giving him three Grand Slam titles in a year for a second time.

** Beat Murray in the 2016 Australian Open final to win his 11th Grand Slam trophy.

** Beat Murray again in the French Open final that year to finally win the claycourt major at his 12th attempt. The win not only completed his Grand Slam collection but he also became only the third man — after Don Budge and Rod Laver — to hold all four majors at the same time.

** Advanced to his 21st Grand Slam final overall at the 2016 U.S. Open but was beaten by Stan Wawrinka.

** Retired in the 2017 Wimbledon quarter-finals against Tomas Berdych and ended his season on July 26 with a right elbow injury.

** Returned from a six-month injury absence at the Australian Open last year. Had elbow surgery following a last-16 exit to South Korean youngster Chung Hyeon.

** Beat Kevin Anderson in the 2018 Wimbledon final to seal his 13th Grand Slam.

** Capped off the year in style by beating Juan Martin del Potro to win the U.S. Open crown for a third time.

** Defeated Nadal in their 53rd career meeting to claim his 15th major and seventh Australian Open title.

** Djokovic’s 26-match winning streak in Grand Slams ended with a loss to Dominic Thiem in the French Open semi-final.

** Defeated Federer to claim his fifth Wimbledon title. </s> (AP Photo/Alastair Grant). Croatia's Marin Cilic returns to Sam Querrey of the United States during their Men's Singles semifinal match on day eleven at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London Friday, July 14, 2017.

(AP Photo/Alastair Grant). Switzerland's Roger Federer pats the ball back to a ballboy after holding serve as he plays his Men's Singles semifinal match against Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych on day eleven at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in Londo...

LONDON (AP) - After Roger Federer closed out a Wimbledon final that was more of a coronation than a contest with an ace, he sat in his changeover chair and wiped away tears.

That is when it hit him: His wait for record-breaking No. 8 was over. Until then, Federer wasn't focused on the notion of winning the grass-court tournament more often than any other man in the history of an event first held in 1877. All he'd been concerned with, consumed with, was being healthy enough to compete at a high level and, he hoped, to win a title, regardless of what the total count would be.

Capping a marvelous fortnight in which he never dropped a set, Federer won his eighth Wimbledon trophy and 19th Grand Slam championship overall by overwhelming Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 in merely 1 hour, 41 minutes Sunday.

"Wimbledon was always my favorite tournament. Will always be my favorite tournament. My heroes walked the grounds here and walked the courts here. Because of them, I think I became a better player, too," said Federer, who will turn 36 next month and is the oldest male champion at the All England Club in the Open era, which began in 1968.

"To mark history here at Wimbledon really means a lot to me just because of all of that, really," he said. "It's that simple."

His first major title came at Wimbledon in 2003, and was followed by others in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. He won again in 2009 and 2012. But then he lost finals in 2014 and 2015 to Novak Djokovic.

He couldn't be sure another final, let alone title, was possible a year ago, when he lost in the semifinals, then took the rest of 2016 off to let his surgically repaired left knee heal.

"It's been a long road," he said.

Sunday's outcome was only in doubt for about 20 minutes, the amount of time it took Federer to grab his first lead.

Cilic said afterward he developed a painful blister on his left foot during his semifinal Friday, and that affected his ability to move properly or summon the intimidating serves that carried him to his lone Grand Slam title at the 2014 U.S. Open, where he surprisingly beat Federer in the semifinals.

This one was all Federer, who had been tied at seven championships with Pete Sampras and William Renshaw in what's still officially called Gentlemen's Singles. Sampras won all but one of his in the 1990s; Renshaw won each of his in the 1880s, when the previous year's winner advanced automatically to the final.

With clouds overhead and a bit of chill in the air Sunday, Federer's early play was symptomatic of jitters. For everything he's accomplished, for all of the bright lights and big settings to which he's become accustomed, the guy many have labeled the "GOAT" - Greatest of All Time - admits to feeling heavy legs and jumbled thoughts to this day.

It was Federer, not Cilic, who double-faulted in his first two service games. And it was Federer, not Cilic, who faced the initial break point, in the fourth game. But Cilic netted a return, beginning a run of 17 points in a row won by Federer on his serve. He would never be confronted with another break point.

"I gave it my best," Cilic said. "That's all I could do."

In the next game, Federer broke to lead 3-2. He broke again to take that set when Cilic double-faulted, walked to the changeover and slammed his racket. Cilic sat and covered his head with a white towel.

With Federer up 3-0 in the second set, Cilic cried while he was visited by a doctor and trainer. He said that was not so much a result of his foot's pain as the idea that he could not play well enough to present a challenge.

"Very tough emotionally," said Cilic, whose foot was re-taped by a trainer after the second set. "I knew that I cannot give my best on the court."

It might not have mattered. Federer was, as he'd been all tournament, flawless, the first man in 41 years to win Wimbledon without ceding a set. Against Cilic, he had 23 winners, only eight unforced errors.

This caps a remarkable reboot for Federer, who departed Wimbledon a year ago with a lot of doubts: His body was letting him down for the first time in his career. He skipped the Rio Olympics, the U.S. Open and everything else in an attempt to try to get healthy.

It worked. And how.

Feeling refreshed and fully fit, Federer returned to the tour in January and was suddenly playing like the guy of old, rather than like an old guy.

In a turn-back-the-clock moment, he faced rival Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final and, with a fifth-set comeback, won. It was Federer's 18th Grand Slam title, adding to his own record, and first in 4½ years. Those who had written Federer off needed to grab their erasers.

The formula made sense, clearly, so why not try it again? Federer skipped this year's clay-court circuit to be in top shape for the grass courts he loves so dearly. Sunday's victory made Federer 31-2 in 2017, with a tour-leading five titles.

"On one side, yes, it surprises me. On the other side, I know he's able to do so many things. So it's not surprising," coach Severin Luthi said. "But when it happens, it's amazing."

Yes, Federer is back to being supreme in tennis, lording over the sport the way no man has.

He's not, of course, the same 21-year-old kid who had a ponytail and scruff when he beat Mark Philippoussis in the 2003 Wimbledon final. Or the teen who, two years earlier, beat Sampras himself at Centre Court in the fourth round, their only tour-level meeting.

Federer's hair is cropped, his face clean shaven. He's a father of four, and both sets of twins - boys, 3, in their light blue blazers; girls, 7, in their dresses - were in the guest box for Sunday's trophy ceremony.

One son stuck a couple of fingers in his mouth until a sister grabbed his hand.

"They have no clue what's going on. They think it's probably a nice view and a nice playground. But it's not quite like that here, so one day, hopefully, they'll understand," Federer said about his boys.

As for the girls, he said: "They enjoy to watch a little bit. They come for the finals, I guess."

When Dad is Roger Federer, you can wait until the last Sunday to show up.

And you just might get to see him cradle that gold trophy.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. </s> Hello. Usually people talk about the weather when they have nothing interesting to say. But bloody hell, it’s hot at Wimbledon today. London’s heatwave has returned with a vengeance and the sun will be beating down on Centre Court when Novak Djokovic and Kevin Anderson drag their weary bodies on to the grass in an hour. Chances are they’re both going to sleep for the next month once this is all done and dusted.

I’m not sure it’s been this scorching for a men’s final since Andy Murray beat Djokovic in 2013 and the conditions are bound to play a part given that both players have not had long to recover from their epic semi-finals. Anderson reached his first Wimbledon final after beating John Isner in six hours and 36 minutes - it was the second longest grand slam singles match of all time - and Djokovic sealed his spot after edging out Rafael Nadal yesterday. They’ve both got a lot of miles on the clock; most of us wouldn’t be able to pick up a racket after what they’ve put their bodies through in the past 48 hours. “My feet are sore, they’re swollen,” the 32-year-old Anderson said, speaking late on Friday night after winning his serve-off with Isner 7-6 (6), 6-7 (5), 6-7 (9), 6-4, 26-24. “The legs are jelly-like.”

If they’re still wobbling this afternoon, the eighth seed probably stands no chance of claiming his first grand slam title, even though Djokovic must be drained after taking two days to beat Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (9), 3-6, 10-8. Djokovic hasn’t had long to recover from outlasting the world No1, but the Serbian is one of the fittest players around and in total has only spent 15 hours and 34 minutes on court over the fortnight. Anderson, whose thrilling comeback from two sets and match point down in his quarter-final against Roger Federer took four hours and 14 minutes, has clocked up 21 hours and 1 minute in six matches. 



After the scheduling issues that have dominated the conversation since Anderson and Isner went deep into a fifth set that eventually began to resemble Superman punching himself in the face for three hours, let’s just hope that this doesn’t fall flat. These championships could do with a good ending given how many of the top seeds fell early.

Encouragingly, the 6ft 8in Anderson has been playing well enough to trouble anyone over the past year. The affable power server has hit 172 aces over the past fortnight and reached his first grand slam final at last year’s US Open final, losing in straight sets to Nadal. He’s grown in belief. His return game has improved and he is striking the ball with venomous intent. He could become the first South African to win the men’s title and the second African to win it since Jaroslav Drobny, who represented Egypt when he beat Ken Rosewall in 1954. He would also be the first man to win the Wimbledon title since saving match point since 1960.

Anderson will require a monumental effort, though, because he’s taking on arguably the greatest returner in the history of the sport. He has a 6-1 losing record against Djokovic and the Serbian’s performance against Nadal suggests that he’s back to his fearsome best after two troubled years. Djokovic hasn’t always exuded happiness over the past two weeks - there came a point when he looked like he might flick the Vs at Kate and Meghan in the Royal Box yesterday – and it’s strange to think he’s the 12th seed given that he’s lifted this title three times. He slumped spiritually and physically after completing the career slam at Roland Garros in 2016, his aching elbow gave up on him here last year and he looked like a busted flush at the start of 2018; defeats to Hyeon Chung, Taro Daniel, Benoit Paire and Martin Klizan followed his elbow surgery and he even suggested that he might skip the grass after crashing out of the French Open to Marco Cecchinato.

Yet Djokovic’s ferocious will to win, sprightly movement, stubborn defence and brilliant efficiency have all returned at SW19. Murray saw it coming, tipping Djokovic to beat Nadal during his appearance in the BBC studio on Tuesday, and it will be a huge surprise if the three-time champion, who’s back in a major final for the first time since the 2016 US Open, doesn’t claim his 13th grand slam title. Anderson is going to have to play the match of his life on Centre Court. Again. </s> London: Roger Federer admitted that it felt “strange” he and Serena Williams will compete for Wimbledon titles this weekend, 16 years after he made his Grand Slam breakthrough. The 37-year-old Swiss reached his 12th final at the All England Club with a 7-6 (7/3), 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 defeat of old rival Rafael Nadal. On Sunday, he will face world number one Novak Djokovic where he hopes to capture a ninth Wimbledon and record-extending 21st Grand Slam crown.

Federer won his first Wimbledon in 2003, beating Mark Philippoussis in the final. That same weekend, Serena was beating sister Venus for the second successive year in the women’s final. On Saturday, Serena faces Simona Halep for an eighth Wimbledon title and record-equalling 24th major. “Yeah, it’s definitely a bit unusual, a bit strange,” said Federer who will be the third oldest man to play in a Slam final on Sunday.

“I hope it’s going to happen again for somebody, to have such a big span between the first final.”It’s definitely special I think for both of us. Serena was even earlier on tour than me because she made the breakthrough earlier. It’s amazing what she’s been able to do. “For me, it’s not something I ever expected. Winning that ’03 title was something so surreal that it’s nice to be back in another final. Means really a lot to me.”

Federer’s win over Nadal on Friday came in the pair’s 40th career meeting and 11 years after the Spaniard triumphed in a mesmeric, epic final. The Swiss needed five match points to secure the victory, his 16th of their 15-year rivalry. “It lived up to the hype, especially from coming out of the gates, we were both playing very well. Then the climax at the end with the crazy last game, some tough rallies there. It had everything at the end, which was great. I’m just relieved it’s all over at this point.”But it’s definitely going to go down as one of my favorite matches to look back at because it’s Rafa, it’s at Wimbledon.”

Djokovic leads Federer 25-22 in career meetings with the Serb holding a 2-1 edge in Wimbledon clashes. Federer won their first duel in the 2012 semi-finals but Djokovic triumphed in the 2014 and 2015 championship matches. Overall, Djokovic holds a 9-6 edge in the Slams.However, Federer said he won’t be over-awed by the challenge as he chases a 21st major and Djokovic targets a 16th.

“Age kicks in. I know it’s not over yet. There’s no point to start partying tonight or get too emotional, too happy about it, even though I am extremely happy,” said Federer. “I think I can with experience really separate the two. “If it was the end of the tournament, it would be very different right now. I’d be speaking very different, feeling very different. There is fortunately, one more.”It’s great on many levels. But got to put my head down and stay focused.”
In the men's singles final match, Serbian Novak Djokovic beats Swiss Roger Federer in five sets for his 16th Grand Slam title win in a match that lasted four hours and 56 minutes. It was the longest Wimbledon final of all time, and also the first men's singles final in any of the four Grand Slam events that went to a fifth-set tiebreaker.