On Sunday, Novak Djokovic became the third player with 20 Major trophies on his tally, finally matching his greatest rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
The dominant figure from the previous decade was the player to beat at the All England Club in the past two weeks, seeking the sixth Wimbledon trophy and hoping to extend his incredible streak at Majors that started at the Australian Open in February.
Despite not playing at his best throughout the event, Novak did more than enough to beat seven rivals in style and lift the milestone trophy that puts him on level terms with Federer and Nadal.
An eight-time Wimbledon winner Roger Federer complimented Novak and his incredible feat, saying it was a wonderful performance and feeling proud to play in the same era with Novak and Rafa.
In the title clash, Djokovic defeated Matteo Berrettini 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in three hours and 24 minutes, staying calm after the opening set and outplaying the rival in the remaining three to enter history books.
Novak won 14 points more than Matteo, getting broken twice and stealing 40% of the return points that he turned into six breaks from 15 chances.
Djokovic had 31 winners and 21 unforced errors, playing better when it mattered the most to secure the sixth Wimbledon crown in the past ten editions. The Serb raced into a 5-2 advantage in the opening set before the Italian shifted into a higher gear, saving a set point on serve in the eighth game and pulling the break back in the next one.
Berrettini grabbed the tie break 7-4 with two mini-breaks to steal the opener in 70 minutes.
Roger Federer congratulated Novak Djokovic on his 20th Major crown.
Starting all over, Novak raced into a 5-1 lead in set number two, controlling the pace and serving for it at 5-2.
Like the opener, Berrettini broke back to extend the action, rattling off three straight games before Djokovic held at love in game ten with a service winner to wrap up the set and level the overall score.
Both players claimed 28 points in the third set, and Novak took the most important ones to win it 6-4 with a break in game three that pushed him closer to the finish line.
The Italian hit a double fault at 3-3 in the fourth set, and there was no way back from there for him. Returning at 5-3, Novak converted the third match point to seal the deal and celebrate his 20th Major title at 34. “Congrats Novak on your 20th major.
I’m proud to have the opportunity to play in a special era of tennis champions. Wonderful performance, well done!” said Roger Federer.
