Novak Djokovic took sole ownership of eighth place in the all-time Grand Slam championship title winners list Sunday when he captured his ninth major crown.

The top seed clinched his third trophy at The Championships when he defeated second seed and seven-time former champion Roger Federer 7-6(1), 6-7(10), 6-4, 6-3 on Centre Court.

It was his 200th Grand Slam match win and also his third triumph at the All England Club, which equals the mark of his coach, Boris Becker, the 1985-86 and 1989 winner. Djokovic is the first man to retain the Wimbledon title since 2007.

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"It's a great privilege to play against Roger, who is a great champion," Djokovic told BBC television on-court. "He has done so much for our sport on and off the court. It's a great honour to play him again. I was aware coming onto the court, that Roger would play his best when it matters the most. He pushes you to limits."

By winning the 54th title of his career, Djokovic earned £1,880,000 in prize money and 2,000 Emirates ATP Rankings points. He is now 48-3 on the season, which includes six trophies.

Federer admitted, "Novak not only played great today, but also this year, last year and the year before that! Well done, Novak, you deserved it. At the end he was rock solid. I didn't play bad myself, so I can be very happy. That's the way it goes. Once more, it has been a privilege to play here."

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Read: How The Wimbledon Final Was Won

Djokovic saved two set points at 5-6 in the first set, then won 14 of 15 points - including a commanding performance in the tie-break. At the end of a pulsating final, he moved to 176-7 lifetime at majors after winning the first set (13-1 versus Federer). But Federer continued to press, although he could not convert two break points at 2-2 in the second set.

Djokovic stepped up and when Federer struck a double fault at 4-5, 30/30, it gifted Djokovic a set point chance that he did not win - striking a forehand long. Federer responded immediately in Djokovic's next serving game, which lasted eight minutes. Federer rattled the tape with a searing forehand on break point, 30/40, but Djokovic held on for a 6-5 advantage.

In a dramatic tie-break, which was full of tension, Federer fought off set points at 3/6, 6/7, 8/9 and 9/10. He saw one chance at 8/7 pass, before sealing the 66-minute set on his second set point chance to get back into their 40th meeting.

Djokovic broke Federer's serve at 1-1 in the third set. By 4:21 p.m., a rain shower saw the players scurry back to the locker room. At 4:41 p.m., the battle resumed and although Federer was more aggressive, Djokovic proved to be impenetrable - winning 94 per cent of his first serve. He closed out the 32-minute set with a hold to love.

The pressure continued to build on Federer in the fourth set, as Djokovic's returns continued to pepper the lines and he earned the break for a 3-2 lead. Federer held off two break points at 2-4, but could not deny Djokovic, who struck a forehand winner into space to wrap up a memorable victory.

Federer, now 40-7 in 2015, had been attempting to lift his 18th Grand Slam championship crown. It was his 10th Wimbledon final (7-3 record).