‘Stefan’s presence was the biggest motivation’

Doubt, disappointment, frustration, anger – Novak Djokovic had to face many “turbulences” during his comeback. But the “biggest motivation” for returning to Slam success and winning Wimbledon again had been dreaming of his son on Centre Court, cheering him to victory.

Three-year-old Stefan wasn’t actually allowed to watch the final – rules are rules at the All England Club and he had to be five – but he popped up in the champion’s box just in time for the trophy presentation.

“The biggest motivation I’ve had for Wimbledon this year [was] visualising, imagining this moment of him coming to the stands, cherishing it with my wife,” Djokovic said. “I never had him in my box before. I was hoping Wimbledon could be the tournament because he’s old enough I think to stay quiet for maybe 30 minutes! He was not there until the trophy ceremony and it was a moment I will carry inside my heart forever.”

Injury – to his elbow, the first major one of his career – had caused Djokovic to wonder if he could ever get back to his Slam-winning pomp. “There were turbulences … moments of doubt and disappointment, frustration and anger.”

He told journalists: “It’s a learning curve … a journey, and going on it has helped me, not just as a tennis player but as a person.”

In the final Djokovic could sense Anderson’s nervousness but credited his opponent with outplaying him in the third set. “I was nervous and didn’t play great in the beginning,” Anderson admitted. All told this tournament, Anderson was on court for 21 hours. His 50-game fifth set in the longest Wimbledon semi-final had frazzled him. Recovery had been difficult. He believed he was about to win the third. “There was one break point I was almost starting to celebrate but [Djokovic’s shot] landed in.” On the back of Wimbledon, though, Anderson enters the top five world rankings.