Novak Djokovic, 2011 Wimbledon Men's Singles Champion, Defeats Rafael Nadal In Final

Novak Djokovic, who will officially be named the number one men's tennis player in the world Monday, has won his first Wimbledon title.

The 24-year-old defeated the previous world number one, Rafael Nadal, in four sets, winning, 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3. This is Djokovic's third grand slam title, and his second this year. Djokovic won the Australian Open to start off the season, but lost in the semi-finals at Roland Garos during the French Open.

Though the Serbian would become the world's number one men's player regardless on Monday, today's victory makes it even sweeter.

Despite a significant push by Nadal, including some tremendous play in the third set, and a tight fourth set, the 2008 and 2010 Wimbledon champion could not keep up. Nadal had been plagued by minor injuries earlier in the tournament.

Djokovic's win breaks Nadal's 20-win streak at the grass tournament.

Comments

[Talossa]

12:00 AM on 07/05/2011

Thank goodness for Novak Đoković. Otherwise all Serbian heroes would be fugitive war criminals.

[TXFF5000]

06:53 PM on 07/04/2011

It looks like Caroline Wozniacki likes Novak Djokovic

Wozniacki shows Djokovic some love
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Caroline+Wozniacki+fallen+in+love+with+Novak+Djokovic-video73.html

[Sesame2009]

02:26 AM on 07/06/2011

That's not cool.  He has a girlfriend.

[TXFF5000]

05:39 AM on 07/09/2011

Sesame,

Relax.

Djokovic and Wozniacki have been friends for a while. Nothing more.

They always give each other hugs and complement each other.

Like here when Wozniacki is interviewed, Djokovic comes by and complements her and vice versa.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/interviews/article-23962787-caroline-wozniacki-i-havent-won-a-grand-slam-but-everyone-would-like-to-be-in-my-position.do

They live in the same neighborhood in Monaco.

They both seem like nice people, so I'm sure they're friendly to other celebrities as well.

[drummyst]

05:53 PM on 07/04/2011

Never seen a guy hit so consistent and clean as Nole. But Rafa wasn't playing like Rafa. Methinks Djok is in Rafa's head, just like Rafa is in Federer's head. Too many errors and too much overreach. Makes sense--Djok has beaten Rafa now 5 times in 5 separate finals in the past 6 months, two on clay. Would probably get in my head, too.

[MadAppraiser]

05:30 PM on 07/04/2011

When I first saw Novak Djokovic compete in tournament level tennis past athletic memories came to mind. I thought of the influence of the Eastern European athletic machine upon Serbian athletic development. Would this athlete elevate the preparation of tennis sportsman to an athletic science? I am not surprised at the athletic team Novak Djokovic assembled, or tournament success.

[Serbian American]

03:50 PM on 07/04/2011

Over 100 000 people in downtown Belgrade are celebrating Djokovic's victory arrival from Wimbledon! Serbia's new hero, Novak Djokovic!

[canadapaul]

01:02 PM on 07/04/2011

Very happy for Nole! What an incredible year so far. Mens tennis just keeps getting better.
Loved the match between Tsonga and Grigor Dimitrov.

[Catch 22]

12:06 PM on 07/04/2011

In the post match interview, Novak when asked why he was being so successful of late, indicated that there was some small percentage improvements in some critical parts of his game. But the major improvement was in his mental state. He BELIEVES that he can beat anyone. At tkat level of any sort, or life for that matter, it usually comes down to that small thing. If you believe it, it can happen, if you don't, there is no way that it will.

[eliteandproud]

02:15 PM on 07/04/2011

Part of the belief comes from the long apprenticeship he had at #3, always thinking and studying. Discovering his gluten allergy was the key to his fitness and stamina issues. He learned in Miami that he could even make Nadal gasp for breath and won most of the long rallies yesterday, too. Having the confidence in his body added much to the self-belief. I'm hoping he equals McEnroe's 3-loss season. With 1 loss as of July, why not?

[Catch 22]

02:30 PM on 07/04/2011

I think a 3-loss season is very possible. As a matter of fact I think the loss to Federer earlier this year, helped rather than hurt him. It certainly took the monkey off of his back.

[LogicalMathMan]

11:57 AM on 07/04/2011

Congrats to Nole who was my second favorite player on the court. He is definitely inside Nadal's head as was evidenced by the number of unforced errors Nadal committed during the match. This was a resounding butt-whoopin', except for that errant third set.

[drdogood123]

08:00 AM on 07/04/2011

Djokovic just gave to Nadal what Nadal has been giving to his opponents the past couple of years- A bully beat-down. Way to go Novak.

[mskermit]

01:33 AM on 07/04/2011

Novak you did it in fine fashion! Double congratulations for winning the Wimbledon 2011 championship and taking over the #1 World Ranking you played great!!!!

[eliteandproud]

02:17 PM on 07/04/2011

Prior to the match, a lot of people were saying that if he didn't take the title, his #1 would be "empty" - I even saw one comparison, from an ESPN "expert", to Wozniacki!

[mskermit]

05:07 PM on 07/05/2011

WHAT! That so called ESPN expert forgot that Novak has 2 grand slam titles both from the Austrilian Open, and Wozniacki has no grand slam titles, so how he get to be an expert? ESPN should put me up there! I couldn't do any worse!

[ILUVMEDICINE]

01:19 AM on 07/04/2011

That is truly great news... I do not really watch the sport but I am fan of Nole's warrior like persistence , his charismatic and entertaining personality just make him seem as a person you want to see at the top...you root for him to go all the way. But my friends omg they are huge fans, I remember when he lost and ended his winning streak that totally ruined their day... I think Djokovic might have been less upset then they were. So yeah GO NOLE, he is the proof that hard work and perseverance pay off.
ALSO WHERE MY SERBS AT??!!!!!!

[Arrech]

12:06 AM on 07/04/2011

He is handsome and with a great head of hair.

Congratulations, Novak Djokovic! You really worked hard for it.

It was a great game.

[eliteandproud]

01:23 PM on 07/04/2011

Best thing about that hair is that it is grown-out from the post-Davis Cup celebratory shave! :))

[Reito Hikari]

12:01 AM on 07/04/2011

Nadal is not the 2011 WImbledon champion as the article suggests...

"Despite a significant push by Nadal, including some tremendous play in the third set, and a tight fourth set, the 2008 and 2011 Wimbledon champion could not keep up."

[suqnswallow]

11:54 PM on 07/03/2011

It was a great match. A pleasure to watch. Well done, Nole!

[Idriss Nokour]

11:47 PM on 07/03/2011

Congrats Novak, hard work always has rewards!