Novak Djokovic defeated Kevin Anderson in straight sets to clinch the 2018 Wimbledon title. The 12th seed won 6-2 6-2 7-6 (7-3) to claim his 13th Grand Slam – his first major since the 2016 French Open.
The 31-year old Serb controlled the match to win the opening set in 29 minutes. He then saw off five set points in the third set and dominated the tie-break to seal victory.
“I had many moments of doubt, I didn’t know if could come back to this level to compete,” said Djokovic.
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“There is no better place to make a comeback, it’s a sacred place for world of tennis, it’s very special.”
He is now fourth on the all-time list of Grand Slam men’s singles titles, moving clear of Roy Emerson. He is also closing the gap to Roger Federer (20), Rafael Nadal (17) and Pete Sampras (14).
The former world number one will move back into the top 10 when the latest rankings are released on Monday.
Djokovic used to rule the men’s game, holding the number one ranking for 223 weeks and a career Grand Slam. But soon, it became too good to last.
He lost to Sam Querrey in the third round of Wimbledon in 2016 and his form subsequently tailed off.
Fitness also became an issue, taking two spells away from the ATP Tour because of an elbow injury, leading to him dropping out of the world’s top 20 earlier this year for the first time since 2006.
Now he is back among the world’s elite after a wonderful Wimbledon.
Djokovic broke serve twice in each of the opening two sets, dismantling 6ft 8in Anderson’s service game and grinding him down in the rallies.
Anderson rarely ventured forward and offered little variation – until the third set at least – but Djokovic nullified the increased threat to win in two hours and 18 minutes.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match.
Djokovic: What times the #WimbledonFinal ?
Official: 2pm.
Djokovic: And what times the #WorldCupFinal ?
Official: 4pm
Djokovic: Hold my Evian.— Paul Schofield (@schofey27) July 15, 2018
Waiting for Djokovic to finish bouncing the ball between serves 😴 #WimbledonFinal pic.twitter.com/7oTDMmnu5p
— Nicole (@NicHardy) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/vvills/status/1018493832562987008
https://twitter.com/mewtkuga/status/1018492277109518337
It really pisses me off when shit players have the game of their life against @rogerfederer and then become a walkover in the final. What a waste. #WimbledonFinal #Wimbledon18
— Firhan Malik (@FirhanM87) July 15, 2018
Nice of Anderson to get this over and done with before the World Cup final. Very thoughtful of him. #WimbledonFinal
— Marva (@MarvaMSK) July 15, 2018
That winning moment . #wimbledonfinal #wimbledon #novakdjokovic pic.twitter.com/QJo4b4jxAG
— M (@nemonihi) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/DragcentricDeb/status/1018536800875368448
@DjokerNole is a Grand Slam CHAMPION once again! Bravooooo! Great job! #WimbledonFinal #Serbia
— Valkival (@ValValerija) July 15, 2018
Between this and #WimbledonFinal I am having a #sportyspice Sunday
— Ian (@ian_shain) July 15, 2018
Djokovic wins 🎾🎾🎾 what a great come back in career …. my lesson from tennis is that “you can always come back until you play your last shot”.#Djokovic ❤#WimbledonFinal pic.twitter.com/QLP8HEa4El
— Usman khan (@Muhusman722) July 15, 2018
So happy @DjokerNole won Wimbledon again! he fully deserved it after the last 15 months and Stefan was so adorable so glad he was able to see his daddy lifting the trophy 🏆 #WimbledonFinal 🎾❤️
— kate (@just_kate93) July 15, 2018
Congratulations @DjokerNole on a great win. Good to see you back where you belong #Wimbledon #wimbledonchampion #WimbledonFinal
— Claire Thompson (@ladyandthecat) July 15, 2018
Congrats @DjokerNole on the third @Wimbledon title, well deserved and a great journey back to success. But hats off @KAndersonATP you had an excellent tournament and played admirably throughout. #WimbledonFinal
— Theo (@TRS0211) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/jacqueline_000/status/1018538470975987712
And He is back on the board 😎
Yassss! His fourth Wimbledon title. Very well deserved @DjokerNole
😍❤ #WimbledonFinal pic.twitter.com/O4jcY9jljh— Swarali Borgharkar (@SwaraliB) July 15, 2018
CONGRATULATIONS @DjokerNole #WimbledonFinal 🎾
— Jas (@justinealvi) July 15, 2018
Meanwhile Djokovic won! #WimbledonFinal
— fifs 🇳🇱 (@F__Duchess) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/mdbeee/status/1018534383517659141
THE MOST AWAITED MOMENT😊😍❤❤🏆💪@DjokerNole#Djokovic#WimbledonFinal pic.twitter.com/owJi6xZtDz
— ʟᴏᴠᴇꜱᴛʀᴜᴄᴋ!! ᴡᴏᴏᴋ-ꜱᴛʀᴜᴄᴋ!🥰💕🐢 (@SamNitian) July 15, 2018
Gutted for @KAndersonATP 😭 #WimbledonFinal Well done on a marathon tournament 👏 the best is yet to come I hope…🎾❤
— Devaksha Moodley (@DivaMoodley) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/adelina_taneva/status/1018540006284152832
Congratulations @DjokerNole on !!! !!! !!! !!! ! 13X MAJORS: WOO HOO!!! ! #WimbledonFinal #Djokovic
— Guru TFJ (@TomJamieson77) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/EdgarLRu/status/1018539600778878978
https://twitter.com/BreezeOnTheLake/status/1018539577827610624
Some games you win because you’re on fire, and some games you lose because you’re not. This game was lost. #KevinAnderson #WimbledonFinal
— Greg Lewis Smith (@tallgreg) July 15, 2018
Yes I get it. It WAS a long road to the final. But unforced errors 100%, Performance 10%? I suppose 20mil for simply showing up is a cucumber cool payday. #KevinAnderson #WimbledonFinal
— Greg Lewis Smith (@tallgreg) July 15, 2018
Well done @DjokerNole was with u the hole way thro that with every emotion and pain well deserved can’t keep a great champion down your son watching you melted my 💓 #WimbledonFinal 🎾 🏆
— gigi (@JeanieGigi) July 15, 2018
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Until next time Wimbledon! Congratulations @DjokerNole!👏🏼🎾#WimbledonFinal
— Jack❤️⚒🏴🌹 (@JackJPW_COYI) July 15, 2018
@DjokerNole congratulations for your 4th #WimbledonFinal #Wimbledon18 @KAndersonATP see you next year. #WINNING
— Mel Fisher (@melfisherbforb) July 15, 2018
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