Djokovic Takes First Wimbledon Title on Eve of Rise to Top Spot in ATP Rankings

July 3, 2011 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Novak_Fist_Pump - Copy

Serbian Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal from Spain, 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3, on Sunday afternoon in the finals of Wimbledon. With the win, Djokovic upped his record on the year to 48-1 and captured his first-ever Wimbledon title. It was Djokovic’s fifth straight win over Nadal, the 2010 Wimbledon champ.

“I managed to achieve a lifetime goal, and I managed to make my dream come true, all in three days’ time,” said Djokovic in his post-match conference. “It’s just an incredible feeling that I’m never going to forget. This is the best day of my tennis career.”

Today’s win marked the first time Djokovic has beaten Nadal in a Grand Slam event in six previous attempts. He lost the only championship match they played before today, the 2010 U.S. Open, and quit with injuries at the French Open in 2006 and Wimbledon in 2007. Nadal’s loss to Djokovic was his first in a major final to a player other than Federer.

"Seriously, I lost because I am playing against the best player of the moment, the best player of the world tomorrow, and I am the second," Nadal said. "And when you play against these players and they are playing unbelievable, the normal thing is to lose."

To celebrate his first-ever Wimbledon title, Djokovic grabbed a few blades of grass off Centre Court of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and placed them in his mouth.


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Oneononedoubles banner art resize
USTA NTC

January/February 2024 Digital Edition