Novak Djokovic the gatecrasher ruins party in Roger Federer's house as he overcomes Swiss star in Wimbledon 2015 final 

• Novak Djokovic was simply too good for Roger Federer on Sunday
• Serbian World No 1 beat seven-time champion to lift Wimbledon title
• Overcame the Swiss in four sets 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 on Centre Court
• The SW19 crowd made it plain they wanted Federer to claim win 

By Martin Samuel - Sport for the Daily Mail

Published: 16:30 EST, 12 July 2015 | Updated: 03:50 EST, 13 July 2015

Ultimately, Novak Djokovic was just too good to be denied. Centre Court made it plain who they wanted to be Wimbledon champion this year, but their wishes went unheeded.

There would be no eighth title for Roger Federer, no Muhammad Ali-style return to the pinnacle of his sport. History was bunk, romance too, ruthlessly dispatched by a reigning champion who was unfazed by emotion or the desires of the multitude. 

Djokovic stood in the way of the nation’s sweetheart and, as such, was cast in the role of villain. He shrugged it off. The loudest cheers were for Federer, even at the post-match victory parade. Sue Barker seemed to place greater emphasis on Federer’s name as she called him up for the consolation prize. 

Novak Djokovic celebrates with the Wimbledon trophy after beating Roger Federer in the final on Sunday

Djokovic lifts the famous cup above his head as Federer had to settle for second

The Serbian World No 1 overcame the seven-time champion in four sets 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3

Djokovic celebrated after his victory by eating a blade of the famous Centre Court grass

Djokovic poses on the Centre Court clubhouse balcony in front of thousands of fans with the trophy

Djokovic was unconcerned. 'I expected that support coming into the match,' he said. 'Roger is a very likable guy, a champion on and off the court – he has done all the right things to get that backing. More or less anywhere I play against Roger it’s the same.' 

He made it sound as if he was cheering for Roger, too, right up until that moment when he had to take him down.

Then, Djokovic was alone in resisting the pressure to be crowd pleaser. He battered Federer into submission over three hours and four sets, immune to the quiet disappointment felt at his victory. Centre Court is rarely less than polite, but this was not the result they had hoped for. No matter, though. The best man won.

It is three Wimbledon titles in the last five for Djokovic now, and nine Grand Slams overall. On Sunday he moved past Fred Perry, Ken Rosewall, Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi and Ivan Lendl. 

Djokovic tries and fails to rip shirt off during Wimbledon final

Djokovic holding up the gold cup for all to see on Centre Court after his third Wimbledon win

Djokovic also beat Federer in the final at Wimbledon last year, although it took him five sets 12 months ago

Federer was forced to settle for the runner-up spot again and has now gone three years without a Grand Slam

Djokovic battered Federer into submission over three hours and four sets on Centre Court

Federer clawed his way back into the match in the second set but ultimately couldn't withstand Djokovic

He is closing in on Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver. This is a great champion, have no doubt of that. Anyone who saw Federer’s straight sets win over Andy Murray on Friday knows the form he has been in at this tournament. It is some of the best of his life – and the best of Federer’s life means, quite simply, some of the greatest tennis ever played.

So that is what Djokovic was up against, plus the fervour of the crowd. Tennis is gladiatorial. It is also very lonely if a player lacks support. It wasn’t as if Djokovic was jeered but, clearly, the locals were rooting for his opponent, and not hiding that allegiance. 

In the second set, tied at 5-5, Federer had a break point on Djokovic’s serve and found the net. Collectively, Centre Court exhaled and rocked in its pricey seats, emitting a mighty groan of frustration. 

Later, when Federer somehow saved three set points in the tiebreak – he saved seven overall, before winning the set – the place was in uproar. The greatest testament to Djokovic’s brilliance is that he recovered from the pandemonium of a 22 point tiebreak, and the missed opportunity to lead by two sets, to win the third in almost routine fashion. 

A break up early, and the match then delayed 15 minutes by rain, the last four games of the set were played out to love, routinely plodding to the inevitable 6-4 Djokovic win. He never looked back from there.

Djokovic talks about winning 'emotional' Wimbledon final

Federer has been in some of the best form of his life at Wimbledon over the past two weeks

He was hoping for an eighth Wimbledon title and 18th Grand Slam triumph overall on Sunday

Djokovic took the first set on a tiebreak but was frustrated after being pegged back to 1-1

But a superb performance saw him see off his opponent Federer and take the next two sets for victory

Djokovic's coach Boris Becker watching on from the player's box during the final

Of course, it is easy to see why Federer has such appeal. It is more than just his magnificent play, his easy charm or his record number of Grand Slams. He has a style that transcends the greats, that makes other players appear ugly, even a competitor as fearsome as Djokovic. 

Federer glides, he barely seems to sweat, he is elegance, poise personified. He wins apparently without effort. Nothing looks hurried, no stress, no strain. By comparison, Djokovic puts himself through the wringer. 

His athleticism is enormous, the physical demand all-consuming. On several occasions he slipped on a surface that looked bare and bone dry, ending up in an unsightly heap or spread-eagled. One cannot imagine any situation that would allow Federer to appear ungainly. Give him roller skates on ice and he would somehow find a way to come out like John Curry. 

Some of his shots were just exquisite. Each time Djokovic served up a lob it was misjudged and returned as a smash. Yet in the third set, the game after the rain fell, Federer spooned the ball up into the air so delicately yet with such precision, Djokovic had no chance. In the first set there was a faultlessly disguised drop shot that should have its own show in Las Vegas, so clever was the sleight of hand.

Djokovic, meanwhile, was all about power and precision, hitting the ball relentlessly deep, finding slivers of space, terrifyingly acute angles. It is not always a beautiful game, but it's a mightily impressive one, and it was too much for Federer, whose serve was broken regularly for the first time in this tournament.

Federer looking frustrated in his chair as he toweled down during a changeover between games

Federer approached the net as he served to stay in the second set of the match

A dejected Federer fan, wearing his signature hat, looks dejected as she watched the Swiss star fall to defeat

Ultimately Djokovic was too strong for Federer as he powered towards his ninth Grand Slam title

There were double faults, too, three compared to one against Murray. That was the key to it, really. Had Federer achieved a level of service game consistent with his play throughout the competition he would have won. 

When he hits that mark, Djokovic has never beaten him. He didn’t. He got 85 per cent on his first serve against Murray in the first set, and 59 per cent here against Djokovic. That was the match, right there. 

At vital moments, his service game stumbled. Djokovic won the first set tie-break 7-1, the concluding point a Federer double fault. It was Federer’s worst tie-break performance in 11 years. Djokovic also won half the points on Federer’s second serve.

Federer still won the odd service game in what seemed a matter of seconds, but Djokovic was able to place him under pressure in a way Murray could not. That must be worrying for the Scot. Djokovic found a way of winning, when Murray could find no path through. 

The Serb is the best player in the world right now, ahead of Murray, ahead of Federer, a distance away from Rafael Nadal. Centre Court may not like it, but they are going to have to get used to it. He will be around for a while – long enough to win them over, perhaps.

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