It is not an observation Djokovic or any of his “Big Four” contemporaries of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal or Andy Murray would come out with after missing out on a chance to contest a Wimbledon final.
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The 28 year old will meet World No 2, Roger Federer, who defeated British No 1 Andy Murray 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 in the final.
Federer, 33, will be playing in his 10th Wimbledon final and 26th at all the Grand Slams where victory will give him a record eighth All England Club crown and 18th major.
Murray had been given an early opportunity to break after just five points but Federer quickly got hold of his game and served out.
Murray then saved five set points in an incredible 15-minute 10th game which went to seven deuces. “Me as well”.
Federer has not won a grand slam since beating Murray at Wimbledon three years ago but the number two seed believes wins such as Friday’s vindicate his decision to keep playing.
“He served fantastic. Apart from the first game where I had the chance there, I didn’t really have any opportunities”.
Despite needing treatment on his shoulder during the second set, defending champion Djokovic’s place in a fourth Wimbledon final never really appeared in jeopardy.
While Federer leads that rivalry 20-19, the Serbian world number one will be boosted by the knowledge that he has won four of their six meetings over the past year.
For once momentum was on Murray’s side, but it was surrendered again with a service game to love and in the next match the pressure came too much.
“[It is] definitely one of the best matches I’ve played in my career”.
“I played so well on the biggest occasion today, and that’s probably why I got it”, Federer said. I tried my best.
“It’s great to play Novak anywhere these days because he’s a great player“.
Federer had dropped just one game coming into the semifinal, but faced a first break point in the opening game.
“I was screaming inside of myself”, Federer said.
“It’s been a great tournament for me”.
“I’ll have to have a think about it, because maybe I could have returned better, but it did feel like he served extremely close to the lines”.
Federer then moved onto the brink of a break with sweeping backhand, with Murray only able to find the net with a feeble return in response. I thought I didn’t play badly under those circumstances.
It’s not all that often that someone can play so well and still lose in straight sets.
“It was embarrassing, ” said Murray.
Djokovic dominated the second set but offered the Frenchman a glimmer of hope at 5-4 when he went 0-30 down, only to slam the door shut with some pinpoint serving. One more win would make Federer the first man with eight titles here. “I am unbelievably happy”. The exchanges continued in the final set but the 17-time grand slam champion could not be hauled back. Andy elevated his game but I was at my best.
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Three-time Wimbledon finalist Roddick marvelled at Federer’s fulsome serving statistics, hot on the heels of his record 116-game streak of holding serve. You will be hard-pushed to see a more complete display of tennis anywhere.
