Greg Rusedski: 'Novak Djokovic delivered Roger Federer's most heartbreaking loss'

Greg Rusedski believes that the Wimbledon 2019 has to be Roger Federer's heartbreaking loss and the one that can determine the GOAT race! Had he converted any of those two match points against Novak Djokovic, Roger would have kept both Novak and Rafael Nadal behind ahead of the 2021 season, despite the fact he had to miss almost the entire 2020 after two knee surgeries. Instead of that, Djokovic stole a 7-6, 1-6, 7-6, 4-6, 13-12 victory in the longest and most thrilling Wimbledon final, leaving Federer empty-handed and reducing the gap in their battle for the greatest player of all time. The Swiss won 14 points more than the Serb, scored four breaks more than Novak, had 40 winners more on his tally, two match points and two break chances at 11-11 in the decider up for grabs, squandering all that and allowing Djokovic to steal the crown and write history books. The Serb gave his best to stay in contention and fight against the rival who had the upper hand in the more significant part of the clash.

Novak repelled those two match points on the return at 7-8 in the fifth set and produced the nerves of steel in all three tie breaks to grab the 16th Major title. The overall numbers were on Federer's side. However, Djokovic did what he had to in the pivotal moments, carried by the incredible inner strength that helped him overpowering both Roger and the crowd en route to the fifth Wimbledon crown. Federer wasted a break chance in the opening set and lost it 7-5 in the tie break. The Swiss quickly left it behind him, storming over Djokovic to grab the second set 6-1, standing as the better player in the third as well but wasting a break chance that installed the second tie break.

Novak Djokovic saved two match points against Roger Federer at Wimbledon 2019.

Novak clinched it 7-4 after six errors from Roger, four in an unforced area from the backhand wing that cost him a slow start and more efficient finish. Federer bounced back to take the fourth set and bring a decider, determined to leave everything on the court and beat the younger opponent.

After all kinds of drama in the deciding set and survived games 16 and 23, Novak was the favorite in the crucial tie break that he claimed 7-3 to wrap up the title and one of his most extraordinary victories. Overall, Federer hit the last ball in 29 out of 33 points in all three tie breaks combined, leaving Novak on three winners and one forced error! On the other hand, the eight-time champion counted to six service winners and five from the court, spoiling that with massive 13 unforced mistakes and five more that Novak forced. Like in the rest of the encounter, tie breaks were on Roger's racquet, and he failed to deliver his best tennis when it mattered the most, spraying 17 errors more than the steady Serb and finding himself with the runner-up prize.

"Roger's eyes are set on Wimbledon, where he won eight titles. After wasting those match points in the last year's final against Novak, that has to be Roger's most heartbreaking career loss. Had he won that, he would have kept Novak on 16 Majors and Rafael Nadal one behind him; those match points could have made a massive difference in the GOAT race," Greg Rusedski said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2WLWUUc