Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic claimed his fourth men’s singles title Sunday with a straight-set victory over South African Kevin Anderson, right, of Delray Beach.
6:30* Tour de France, Stage 12 from Bourg-Saint Maurice Les Acres to Alp d’Huez, France
LONDON — After days of grueling, thrilling matches, Wimbledon went out with a whimper.
Novak Djokovic needed just three sets Sunday to dispatch Kevin Anderson 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (3) to claim his fourth singles title at this storied tournament.
Anderson was incredibly gracious in defeat, heaping praise on his Serbian opponent and choking up when he thanked his family. Djokovic, who won his first Grand Slam title since the 2016 French Open, relished the moment with a tearful embrace of his young son.
“I really always dreamed of winning Wimbledon,” said Djokovic, 31. “When that happened back in 2011, when I became No. 1 of the world, in just a couple days all my dreams came true.”
Djokovic was elated “because my son was at the trophy ceremony, which made it extra special.”
It is the 13th Grand Slam victory for Djokovic, fourth all time behind Roger Federer (20), Rafael Nadal (17) and boyhood idol Pete Sampras (14).
“To be just one step away from his record is quite incredible,” Djokovic said.
But the tennis itself was devoid of the high drama that led up to final.
A quick review: Anderson upset Federer in the quarterfinals, then outlasted John Isner in a 6hour-36-minute marathon that had a 50-game fifth set.
Djokovic and Nadal had a semifinal odyssey of their own with a five-set battle that lasted 5:15.
But Sunday’s match breezed past in 2:19, with Anderson offering little resistance in the first two sets.
Djokovic unclicked the pause button on his spectacular career. He had struggled with an elbow problem that kept him out of Wimbledon last year.
In May, Djokovic slipped to No. 22 in the rankings, the first time in 11 years he fell out of the top 20. He inched up to 21 for this event but is still the lowestranked man to win a Wimbledon title since No. 125 Goran Ivanisevic in 2001.
“I understand that people question whether I can consistently play on this level,” he said. “Trust me, I am too. (But) I have to embrace and cherish this kind of accomplishment.” 2017: Roger Federer d. Marin Cilic, 6-3, 2016: Andy Murray d. Milos Raonic,
6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2).
2015: Novak Djokovic d. Roger Federer,
7-6 (1), 6-7 (10), 6-4, 6-3.
2014: Novak Djokovic d. Roger Federer,
6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-4.
2013: Andy Murray d. Novak Djokovic,
6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
2012: Roger Federer d. Andy Murray,
4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.
2011: Novak Djokovic
6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3.
2010: Rafael Nadal d. Tomas Berdych,
6-3, 7-5, 6-4.
2009: Roger Federer d. Andy Roddick,
5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14.
2008: Rafael Nadal d. Roger Federer,
6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7.
2007: Roger Federer d. Rafael Nadal,
7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-2.
2006: Roger Federer d. Rafael Nadal,
6-0, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (2), 6-3.
2005: Roger Federer d. Andy Roddick,
6-2, 7-6 (2), 6-4.
2004: Roger Federer d. Andy Roddick,
4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-4.
2003: Roger Federer d. Mark Philippoussis,
7-6 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (3).
2002: Lleyton Hewitt d. David Nalbandian,
6-1, 6-3, 6-2.
2001: Goran Ivanisevic d. Pat
6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7.
2000: Pete Sampras d. Pat Rafter,
6 -7 (10), 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-2.