Reliving the Legendary Wimbledon 2019 Men’s Final Through Data Viz
By: Ekta Khanchandani
Tags: Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic, Sportsviz, Roger Federer, Tennis

How long has Roger Federer dominated the sport of tennis for? Two decades now!

How long ago did Novak Djokovic make his presence known on the world stage? At least over a decade already.

The sport of tennis has been steeped in Federer and Djokovic making history repeatedly for years now. For fans on the sideline, a Federer vs. Djokovic Grand Slam final is a dream come true. Witnessing two of the best men’s singles players the world has ever seen face off against each other at the most prestigious Grand Slam of the year is a historical moment. That’s exactly what the Wimbledon Men’s Finals of 2019 handed tennis fans around the world on a sparkling gold platter, and it did not disappoint.

The five-set final between the current world Nos. 2 and 3 lasted four hours and 57 minutes on a summer afternoon in SW19 — Southwest London, becoming the longest Wimbledon final to be played. During the intense and emotional match, Federer and Djokovic won a total of 218 and 204 points, respectively. The numbers bear out Federer’s dominance in his lead on the scoreboard with respect to, among other statistics: serve speed, returns, rallies, volleys, aces, and total winners, with Djokovic on his heels throughout.

However, a funny thing happened at the end, when Wimbledon 2019 placed the crown instead on the Serbian king’s head at the end of a spirited performance, earning him his 16th Grand Slam title and giving fans a grass court final to be remembered. So let’s dig into that grass court final a little deeper.

Serve stats

The average speed for both players’ services between the first and fifth set of the finals varied but remained along a similar scale. The graph below highlights the average speed for each players’ serve through the course of the game.

Wimbledon 2019 Serve Stats

Interactive line graph available at: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/EeNq9/1/

The Wimbledon 2019 finals recorded a maximum serve speed of 202 kilometres per hour by Roger Federer, whereas Novak Djokovic’s fastest serve of the match was at 199 KMPH, showcasing a lead for the Swiss in yet another aspect of the game, despite his eventual defeat.

Return stats

A large number of points gained throughout the course of a tennis match are via the return game. In this case, Federer and Djokovic played a similar number of return points throughout the match, but Djokovic is still once again seen trailing behind, getting his racket on 16 less return points.

Wimbledon 2019 Return Points Played

Graph available at: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/LHDEW/2/

The levels of intensity fluctuated throughout the game, but not only did Roger Federer play more return points, he won more return points as well.

Wimbledon 2019 Return Points Won

Graph available at: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/5NI9F/3/

Volley stats

Federer fans love a classic volley when spectating one of his games, carefully curated by his perfect forehand and backhand motions, as he plays the point out on a string. He’s always shone in that area, so it should come as no surprise to see that he dominated Djokovic in volleys as well during the Final.

Wimbledon 2019 Volley Stats

Graph available at: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/E9IPO/1/

Yet again, the numbers from the legendary final are in favour of the 38-year-old. How he still manages to lose, is the question behind the importance of this iconic moment …

Overall stats: (Set 1 — Set 5)

The overall stats from arguably the match of the decade favoured Roger Federer across the board. He led the score sheet against Djokovic in many areas of skill: aces, double faults, total winners and points.

Wimbledon 2019 Overall Stats

Interactive bar chart available at: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/7vYBI/3/

The match statistics show Federer in the lead until the end, which enhances on the question: How did Djokovic win?

Analysing the final fifth set calls attention to a change in numbers and the overall importance of the final set in deciding the winner of Wimbledon 2019. “The Serb trailed the Swiss on first-serve points won, winners made, aces, break points converted, games won, total points won and led him on double faults. But he won the key points — and none more so than in the final set,” commented BBC.

Overall stats: Set 5

This is where factors that made this final one to be remembered come into discussion: Djokovic picked up the pace in the final set and tiebreaker, whereas up until then, he was struggling and lacking, but playing wisely enough to dominate key points and simply keep himself in the match.

Wimbledon 2019 Fifth Set Stats

Interactive bar chart available at: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/zW9yE/1/

That last bar on total points is the key here. Even though a difference of one point doesn’t seem like much, Wimbledon 2019 and this legendary sport has taught us the importance of each and every point. Two Championship points and five breathtaking hours later, Federer lost the title but embraced his longtime rival, and friend.

In spite of what the numbers say, Novak Djokovic received the recognition he deserved after winning his seventh Wimbledon title. “The crowd roared for Federer, and Djokovic tuned out the noise till the crown was placed on his head in moment of pride,” wrote The New York Times after the prestigious Wimbledon final of 2019.

Roger Federer’s gracious form and Novak Djokovic’s tactical battle has undoubtedly made a mark on the last decade in tennis, making Wimbledon 2019 one to be remembered, and Wimbledon 2020 one that I’m eagerly looking forward to!

Ekta Khanchandani is a journalist based in London with a love for sports, data, and visualisation in all sorts and forms. She’s extremely passionate about tennis and food with an active food blog reviewing restaurants globally on Instagram (@spicyprawnxx).