DJOKOVIC, BARTY WIN WIMBLEDON
Novak Djokovic overcame some jitters as he beat Matteo Berrettini 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the Wimbledon final on Sunday to claim a record-equalling 20th title at the majors and remain on course for an ultra-rare calendar year grand slam.
World number one Djokovic blew a 5-2 lead and a set point as he lost the opening set, flirted with similar disaster in the second but eventually prevailed on third match point after 3 hours 24 minutes over ninth-ranked Berrettini, who was the first Italian player in the London final.
Djokovic, 34, sunk to the ground in delight as he drew level with long-time rivals Roger
Federer and Rafael Nadal on 20 titles at the majors and can fulfil his long dream by surpassing them at the US Open later this year.
A success in New York would make him first man in 52 years to achieve a calendar year grand slam, and the third overall, following American Donald Budge in 1938 and Australia’s Rod Laver in 1962 and 1969.
He is the first since Laver to win the first three slams of a year after his earlier 2021 success at the Australian and French Open.
A Golden Slam is also possible for Djokovic if he adds Olympic gold in Tokyo, a feat only achieved once, on the women’s side, by German Steffi Graf in 1988.
“I have to pay a great tribute to Rafa and Roger. They are legends of our sport. The two most important players I ever faced,” Djokovic said on court after receiving the trophy, adding with a smile: “It means none of us three will stop.
“They are the reason I am where I am today. They made me realize what I had to do to improve. The last 10 years has been an incredible journey and it is not stopping here.”
Looking at the possible grand slam, he said: “I could definitely envisage that happening. I’m going to give it a shot. I’m playing well and playing my best tennis at grand slams is my priority.”
Federer was among the first to respond, saying: “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!”
Djokovic appeared aware of what was at stake when he started with a double fault and had two more in his first service games where he also needed to fend off a break point under the eyes of Croatia’s Marija Cicak, the first female umpire of the men’s final.
Recent Queen’s winner Berrettini was however the first to crumble in his maiden final at the majors, hitting some extraordinary errors as Djokovic went 5-2 up.
But the Italian regrouped and also started winning longer rallies, saving a set point in his comeback to 5-5 and the tiebreak where he wrapped up the set with an ace.
Djokovic was undeterred as he raced into a 5-1 lead in the second set - only to incredibly falter again as Berrettini came back strongly to 5-4.
The 25-year-old saved three set points and won an extraordinary rally when he answered a brilliant Djokovic lob with a ‘tweener’ shot between his legs which the Serb then netted with a no-look shot.
The crowd was on its feet but there was no repeat of the opening set as Djokovic served out the set at love.
In the third, Djokovic seemed annoyed by the fans’s “Matteo” chants but went 2-1 sets up on a forehand error from Berrettini,
after a third-game break from Berrettini’s netted drop shot and backhand.
Barty captures first Wimbledon title after outlasting Pliskova
World No. 1 Ash Barty overcame a second-set hiccup as she defeated Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 on Saturday to become the first women’s Wimbledon champion from Australia in 41 years.
Barty, 25, emulated her idol Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who won in 1971 and 1980, with victory in 1 hour, 55 minutes against 13thranked Czech Pliskova.
Barty wasted a 3-1 lead and failed to serve out the match at 6-5 in the second set before finally crying tears of joy after prevailing on first match point in what became a classy affair in front of an enthusiastic Centre Court crowd.
It was the second title at the majors for Barty, following success at the 2019 French Open, her fourth of the year and 12th overall. She is also the fourth woman in the Open era to win the senior title at the All England Club after junior victory, in 2011.
Pliskova fought back after the first set but remains without a Grand Slam title, having also lost the 2016 US Open final to Angelique Kerber.
“I hope I made Evonne proud!” Barty said after receiving the Venus Rosewater dish from the Duchess of Cambridge.
“It took me a long time to verbalize the fact that I wanted to dare to dream and say that I wanted to win this incredible tournament. It’s better than I ever could have imagined.”
Pliskova said: “I enjoyed every minute on the court. She was playing a great tournament. I fought very hard but she played very well.”
Barty beat Kerber in the semis on Thursday, and as in the previous matches again paid homage to Goolagong Cawley with a similar dress to that worn by the past champion.
She started on fire, winning the first 14 points as she raced off to a 40 lead in 11 minutes.
A few unforced errors from the Australian finally put Pliskova on the scoreboard in the next game, which helped her settle but it was too late to salvage the set.
Pliskova led for the first time after the opening game of the second, but in what was now a hard-hitting seesaw battle, fell behind 3-1 and then fought back to lead 4-3.
In the 11th game, Pliskova led 40-0 before she netted what appeared to be an easy volley at the net with the court wide open after a stunning rally. Barty seized the momentum and broke for 6-5 to earn the right to serve out the match.
But Pliskova fought back yet again, forcing the tiebreak where she won five points in a row and pulled even on a Barty double fault.
Barty was undeterred and broke in the second game, when Pliskova netted an easy volley, en route to a 30.
She didn’t relinquish the advantage this time around and wrapped up matters after saving a final break point from Pliskova, getting to match point with an ace and sinking on her knees in delight after a final error from Pliskova.
Barty said she told herself “to keep fighting” after the second set, adding: “Karo is an exceptional player. I was really proud of myself in the way that I was able to reset, keep on going and hold my nerve there at the very end.”
Another Australian legend, Rod Laver, tweeted: “So happy for you Ash Barty, your dream comes true and what a fight. Congratulations on your Wimbledon victory.”