Novak Djokovic wins instant classic

ByGREG GARBER
July 6, 2014, 2:13 PM

— -- LONDON -- This is why they play the game -- and why we love it:

The 17-time Grand Slam champion, approaching the end of his reign, charging forward, fiercely into the fifth and ultimate set against the most consistently excellent performer of this day.

Facing match point deep in the fourth, Roger Federer challenged the out call of his first serve. Through the miracle of replay, it became an ace against Novak Djokovic. It was at that point you suspected something extraordinary was in the making.

There were magnificent strokes, dramatic netcords and even, on break point against him, a serve-and-volley second serve with a gorgeous half-volley pickup from Federer that left the BBC commentators laughing at how absurdly sublime their play was.

In the final analysis -- in the final two games, really -- Djokovic's game simply looked five years younger than Federer's. When Federer's final fragile backhand found the net, Djokovic was a 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-4 Wimbledon winner.

After embracing Federer at the net, Djokovic fell to his knees, placed a pinch of the scorched grass in his mouth and savored the taste he has been hungering for every day of the past year.

The match, which clocked in at four minutes under four hours, was not merely an instant classic. It will endure.

Djokovic won his second Wimbledon title and reclaims the No. 1 ranking from Rafael Nadal. It was his seventh major championship, which puts him in some nice company, along with John McEnroe and Mats Wilander.

"He's a magnificent champion," Djokovic said of Federer in his on-court interview. "I respect your career and everything you have done.

"Thank you for letting me win today."

"I just kept going," Federer said. "I couldn't figure out why I wasn't breaking Novak's serve or actually creating opportunities. I kept believing and kept trying to play offensive tennis. I'm happy it paid off in some instances.

"Novak deserved it at the end clearly, but it was extremely close."