What Novak Djokovic said about breaking Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s dominance after winning first Wimbledon title

Follow us on Google Discover

Heading into Wimbledon in 2011, Centre Court hadn’t seen a champion not named Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal since 2002.

Federer won five titles in a row at the All England Club from 2003 to 2007, and picked up his sixth in 2009 against Andy Roddick.

Nadal emerged victorious in 2008 against the Swiss legend and clinched his second crown at the championships in 2010, defeating Tomas Berdych in the final.

The second seed in 2011, Novak Djokovic, had won his second Australian Open that year and was looking to put an end to the Federer-Nadal dominance at Wimbledon.

He did exactly that, triumphing over the Spaniard in the final over four sets to lift the trophy for the first time.

Following the victory, which saw him become the first Serbian in the Open Era to win the tournament, Djokovic was asked about competing with the two former champions.

What Novak Djokovic said about breaking Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s dominance

In his post-match press conference, he was asked: “When you started to play really well, Federer and Nadal had the world divided and they owned the world basically.

“How difficult was it to break this, both personally, psychologically in your own mind, to be able to beat both these guys, and also just in general?”

Djokovic responded: “Well, we all know the careers of Nadal and Federer. We don’t need to spend words again. They have been the two most dominant players in the world for the last five years. They have won most of the majors we are playing on.

“So sometimes it did feel a little bit frustrating when you kind of get to the later stages of a Grand Slam, meaning last four, last eight, and then you have to meet them. They always come up with their best tennis when it matters the most.

“But, look, you know, it’s a process of learning, a process of developing and improving as a tennis player, as a person, and just finding the way to mentally overcome those pressures and expectations and issues that you have.

“I always believed that I have quality to beat those two guys. I always believed I have quality to win majors, Grand Slams, and that was the only way I could be here in this position, you know.

“I mean, I have full respect for those two guys, what they have done. Anytime I play them, I mean, it’s a great match. But the mental approach has to be positive. You know, I have to win this match. There’s no other way.”

Novak Djokovic’s record against Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon

Djokovic played Federer four times at Wimbledon throughout his career, the most recent of which was their 2019 clash in the final.

Their first meeting at the championships was in the 2012 semi-final, which Federer won over four sets.

Djokovic won their next three clashes in South West London, which all came in the final, beating the 20-time major champion in 2014, 2015 and 2019.

Nadal has played the Serb at Wimbledon three times, in 2007, 2011, and once more in 2018.

Djokovic won their bouts in the 2011 final and the 2018 semi-final, and was tied at one set each in their 2007 semi-final showdown, before he withdrew due to injury in the third set.

In pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title this year, Djokovic could equal Federer’s record tally of eight Wimbledon championships, should he emerge victorious this year.