Unstoppable Novak Djokovic draws level with Roger, Rafa

LONDON: World No.1 Novak Djokovic defeated Italy's Matteo Berrettini 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the final on Sunday to win his sixth Wimbledon title and 20th Grand Slam overall. The Serb celebrated his victory by chewing on the grass from the hallowed centre court.

By winning the title on Sunday, the Serb top seed joined arch-rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as the players with most number of Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era.

Djokovic came back after losing the first set in the tiebreaker and dominated the proceedings, never allowing Barrettini much chances.

While Swiss maestro Federer got to the magical number after winning the 2018 Australian Open, Spanish legend Nadal bagged his 20th after winning the 2020 French Open title.

A sixth title at the All England Club in London means Djokovic has closed in on second-placed Pete Sampras and William Renshaw (7) and topper Federer (8) for most Wimbledon titles.

Djokovic has now won 85 career titles. He turned pro in 2003. Overall, he now has nine Australian Open, six Wimbledon, and three US Open titles to his name.

This also happens to be his fourth title in 2021, having won the Australian Open, Belgrade 2, and the French Open. With the US Open not too far away and Djokovic looking unstoppable, he has the chance to achieve the prestigious Career Grand Slam or a Calendar Year Grand Slam.

This was Djokovic's 30th Major final, keeping him in second place on the all-time list for most Grand Slam men's singles finals reached. He is only one behind 31 finals appearances of Federer now.

Djokovic has also improved his head-to-head record with Berrettini. Before the final, they had met twice on the Tour, with 34-year-old Djokovic winning both the games. Now, he leads their battle 3-0.

It's the consistency and longevity of Djokovic that has helped him so successful over the years. 2021 has been no different as his win-loss record for this year reads 28-3. Djokovic has joined Rod Laver (1962, 1969), Bjorn Borg (1978, 79, 80), Rafael Nadal (2008, 2010) and Roger Federer (2009) to become the only men to win both French Open and Wimbledon in the same year. Staggering! Agencies

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