Not content with securing a third Wimbledon title, the talk after soon turned to a Novak Djokovic dynasty.
Tasting grass and tasting sweet success, the world number one became the first player to retain the crown since 2007, finding a way to crush Roger Federer’s service game whilst picking apart one of sports’ ultimate competitors 7-6 (7-1), 6-7 (10-12), 6-4, 6-3.
Reborn Federer, 33, is, of course, in the twilight of his career and the question of whether he’d win his first Slam title in three years lingered long in the All England Club air.
Some 35 unforced errors was his undoing, compared to the cultured 28-year-old’s mere 16. Now with nine slams to his name, Federer’s record of 17 may still come under threat.
There’s time and there’s certainly motivation for Djokovic.
He said: “If you would have told me as a 14-year-old back in Serbia that this is what I have I would have accomplished, I would have signed the deal straight away.
“But having said that everything happens for a reason. I am going to keep going. I’m 28, I feel good, I don’t feel old and I want to win more.
“Tomorrow is a new day. There is no reason not to be satisfied, but of course a part of you wonders what there could be one day.
“I’m looking forward to asking Serena (Williams) for a dance this evening at the ball. I hope she achieves a golden slam, she deserves it. My aim is to follow her lead and repeat what she has achieved.
“It’s a huge relief, this takes a lot of energy. I expected this crowd coming into the match, Roger is a likeable guy and a champion on and off the court. He has done all the right things, I have to work and earn the majority of the support. Maybe one day.
“He makes you push to your limits but I am so proud as this is the biggest tournament in sport.”
For a second Wimbledon final, the former king of SW19 was ruthlessly overthrown. A break of serve each in the first set before the most uncharacteristic of tie break implosions by Federer, fuelled in no small part by the Serb’s insatiable demand never to be playing catch up.
Federer nervelessly saved six set points during an enthralling second set, perhaps knowing that no male player has come from two sets down to win a Wimbledon final since 1927.
But Djokovic’s backhand begun dominating in the third, his groundstrokes clearing any danger hurtling towards him. He took Federer’s second service game, exploiting six unforced errors to close in on the title.
When debating a player of his majesty and popularity, few fancied the crowd favourite, 34 in a matter of weeks, if it had to go the distance. Federer was now required to do it in five.
A marathon wasn’t needed. Broken in the fifth match of the fourth set, even a gladiator of his stature wasn’t recovering from such a savagely deep wound. Djokovic retained his composure and retained his title.
WATCH ‘I see a lot of Federers!’ @DjokerNole eyes up the Roll of Honour #Wimbledon http://t.co/0f4FzcAsmz
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2015
But Federer says his barren run, just one grand slam in his previous 21 attempts, is no reason to start writing his tennis obituary.
He said: “I lost against the world number one, I’m not saying it’s normal (to go so long without a slam) but his time last year after losing I started to play better, so things are alright. I have just run into guys playing very well.
“You can have good tournaments without winning, but it’s hard to walk away empty handed. A finalists’ trophy just isn’t the same. Wimbledon is the holy grail. It’s no fun losing. I’m still hungry and I’m still motivated, I’ll be back to try again.
“I had my chances in the first set, got a bit lucky in the second but he was rock solid. I didn’t play badly myself . Maybe the rain came at a bad time for me.
“Novak is making a big name for himself, he is winning a lot of titles – staying injury free for him is crucial. He is going to go on and and be one of the big players, just how big we will have to wait and see.”
