10sball’s Ricky Dimon was there to hear it all.
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There are different types and levels of domination, and throughout the week in London, Novak Djokovic gradually hit the highest level of all.
Nishikori, after losing to Djokovic 6-1, 6-1: “Very ashamed with this score”.
“Maybe at times I went for too much”.
We had waited 12 months for this match. That’s all we can do.
“I was feeling very comfortable on the court”.
“I was glad to keep the focus and concentration up after a long season”. Next year is going to be very condensed in terms of scheduling and in terms of the importance of certain events. “He doesn’t look old for me”.
Remarkably, the result means after 90 matches against Federer and Nadal, Djokovic is tied with both. “You’re here to watch Roger and Novak”.
The pro-Federer crowd leaned forward, fearing the worst, when Djokovic grabbed two match points on their hero’s serve.
Federer believes it will be tough for Djokovic to replicate his sensational form next year, and claims only minor changes could have a huge impact. It’s not an easy thing to do. I said, ‘I’d like to sit here again.’ I walked out first.
The takeaway: Djokovic was able to muster what he most needed when it most mattered. “To me a towel is to take a shower with”. “You need to adjust to the tactics because of his game”. Those are the two regrets I have. I tried my best this week, . Even more shockingly, no player younger than Djokovic has won a Masters 1000 title. It’s just handsome tennis.
Federer, on if his wife will impact the beard decision: “I do take decisions by myself sometimes. It allows me to have the longevity”.
A brilliant cross-court backhand set up the top seed to break in game three, and Federer had racked up 16 errors by the time he was broken for a second time to drop the set.
Federer will now head off to recharge his batteries and plan a fresh assault on Djokovic in 2016.
So few openings did Federer get that even a 30-30 scoreline sent the arena into overdrive, as did a stunning rally won with a net finish by the Swiss in the seventh game-and that just brought up 15-15. The moments where I should have gone safe, I didn’t, and vice versa.
“So we are going to be watching at home”. “I don’t deserve vacation this year”.
“Those two rivalries made me a better player, the player I am today, no doubt, ” Djokovic said. “But I don’t want to do it”. Thank you everyone for making this year so special.
“It’s not the first good year for Novak”.
“Roland Garros is always one of the biggest challenges I have every year, but it’s not the only one”.
“For me personally, not really”, Federer said. “I’m not completely there”. This was in evidence during Sunday’s final against Federer, as Djokovic seemed to be out of several points only to redirect precise shots from seemingly impossible angles, frustrating Federer. Not many present could remember him ever having lost a match that way. “If Novak has the feeling that you’re coming in and if you mix it up with some slice – Roger has the nice backhand slice, (you have more chance of success)”.
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Ghent, where the Davis Cup final is being held starting on Friday, is only 35 miles from Brussels and the 13,000-seat Flanders Expo is sold out for all three days of the final, with more than 1,000 British fans due to attend.
