It takes a lot of class to admid that your opponent was the far better player. Especially when he is one of your rivals. Very well spoken djokovic, very honorable.
@clancykelly5508 I was just quoting djokovic it was not my personal opinion. However I don't think he said that to be kind. Maybe he said that cause that's how he felt during the match, not being ahead in the score for over 4 hours. Anyways it doesn't matter if that was the case, you can be (far) better for most of the time but if your opponents mental game is that much better, you will lose in the important moments and djokovics mental game is far better.
@@clancykelly5508 Federer was the better player for most of the game but he couldn't make it count in the tiebreaks- unfortunately having more points, aces, breaks and fewer errors doesn't win you the game But Federer did outplay Djokovic for most of the game, the 1st, 3rd and 5th sets were quite even with Djokovic pulling a crucial equalising break and winning each tiebreak, while across the 2nd and 4th sets Federer managed 6 breaks to Djokovic's 1
Learned more in three minutes than i learned in years. Ali said something similar. He said before every fight he had fear so he fought as if the other man could kill him. Respect.
As a die-hard Roger fan, I almost pulled my hair out of frustration upon seeing those two championship points being wasted. But nonetheless, Novak deserves all the credit for coming back from the brink. In fact, the one thing that sets him apart from everyone else and makes him the GOAT is his ability to win points at critical junctures of a match. Hats off to the guy. He is really one of a kind.
@jer8279 indeed. Over a tennis match a large amount of points are contested, so there's no way the winner of the match does not deserve the victory. Even if Novak says that Roger played a better match, to me Novak fully deserves to be the winner.
@MarcaoPT Amazingly Roger won 14 more points than Novak in the Wimbledon 2019 final - but he didn't win a majority of the most critical points. Novak is a mental beast.
@mainemceachern1521 actually Roger led most statistics. But in the end it all comes down to the critical points. And in those cases Novak simply doesn't buckle.
Yup. I hate to admit it, but man, when he saved those 2 match points, I was like " shoot, he may be better at Tennis. " that was all world incredible did that to Roger, in a final, on grass, at Winbledon.
You just can't deny the man's greatness. For so many years he caused me so much pain. But watching him last year. 3 majors. How he responded against Alcaraz after losing the Wimbledon final was amazing. The Cincinnati final was arguably his greatest ever win.
@@AMOROLD One of his shenanigans is living rent-free in your head forever while beating all the records of your favorite players one by one until he's 40 😎
Imo, this was Novak's hardest match in his career. Federer statistically was the better player, winning more overall points than Novak. In addition, although it was Wimbledon, it almost felt like Davis Cup in Switzerland because the crowd from the 1st point to the last were extremely pro Federer. I'm my opinion, no other player in history wins this match which such circumstances. Credit to Novak greatness and mental fortitude
I can only image how you, a Federer fan, felt. Along with other Novak followers, I was watching the game on a large screen in the heart of Belgrade. Despite the pro-Novak euphoric mood in the audience, I had the impression that Federer was the better player that day, but Novak is somehow holding on. I was also worried that Novak would lose the match, but despite my doubts and concerns, Novak managed to play his best on the most crucial moments, win the final tie break, and thus the entire match.
@@theUroshmanmy favourite player is Roger so this match gave me depression as well, but matches like this are the reason Novak is the undeniable goat of this sport.. hell of an athlete and hell of a person, i hope he wins a couple more slams before he retires
I feel there was something awful Federer did in the Matrix- to p**s God off, only he knows why, I guess we'll have to ask him in the afterlife- or he can reveal it in a dream.
Still can't believe Roger lost that. Novak is a great player and respectable guy. Roger's game though was so much more fun to watch and entertaining. The battle of styles between Nadal and Federer was poetry and created perhaps the most colorful era in tennis history.
Just because someone didn’t experience is a bloody war as a child doesn’t mean that’s a “cushy” life. But maybe understanding that is a bridge too far for you to cross.
Federer earned the 40-15 nickname because of 3 of the matches he lost to Novak when he was up 40-15 on match point. Shows how significant this match was. Federer is mentally weak especially when it comes to the critical moments. This doesn't happen to Novak. Proving why Novak is the GOAT
I remember reading a stat that Federer has the highest rate of "losing the match despite winning more points" and it has happened 36 times in his career, which is apparently much higher in ratio than other players.
Simpson's paradox. I agree with your stats though. Not surprised because Fed plays every point the same (basically) whereas someone like Djokovic ramps it up when needed and sort of gives away less important points.
@@babatundeolowu Roger is simply an extremely aggressive player from the very first days. He fearlessly took risks to go for winners. Djokovic, on the other hand, is clever enough & more consistent in his groundstrokes. Rafa, in those years, was a beast on clay. That's the facts.
@andreaho Yes, he is an aggressive player by default, but then every top-level player can attack as well as defend to varying degrees. I think Fed just doesn't enjoy the back and forth like Novak and Rafa does so he gets frustrated and makes silly mistakes. He was a bit part of the serve-volley era, short rally typo players
Not sure if people know this but the exact same thing happened in the us open semi final in 2011. Federer was set to serve out the game 40 to 15 but blew it just like he did in 2019. Djokovic has always seemed to have the edge in the mental game.
I think the fact that he won three times from double match point down against Roger in three different Grand Slam matches is half his undoubted mental strength and half freak coincidence. You're never fully in control of a single point against a player like Roger or Novak and neither of them has anything like that record with anyone else.
@@Molybdaenmornell Roger had a volley on top of the net in 2019 Wimbledon match point. A shot that he would make & hit a winner 95/100 times. I can't say whether that was a coincidence or not. But I can say that particular instance didn't have to do with any undoubted mental strength from Djokovic's side. Many factors make up the reality we live in, Djokovic's mental strength being a grain of sand in the desert.
2011 was tough. But not necessarily a weakness of Federer but absolutely insane under pressure performance by Djokovic. That one return on one of the match points against a decent serve. Absolutely bonkers. But he made it and he took the match riding on the wave of confidence after that.
@@YouBetterBeYou I remember that return like it was yesterday. In my humble opinion he hit that shit desperately, eyes closed and ready to walk off court... And lucked out hard af. But such is tennis, it's all fair.
2019 Wimbledon final still is the worst day of my life so far. 😢. Pretty sure every Roger fan will never get over that scar. Oh well, one has to tip his/her hat to Novak and just cherish the 20 slam victories of Roger.
Very interesting. A Federer fan, but admire Novak. What he does to perform at his best should be a blueprint for any young star who really wants to make it to the top.
Federer was generally the much better player throughout the match, he must have known that it was his last ever chance to win another slam title, that would have been something special for him to beat Nadal and Djokovic (his 2 biggest rivals) back to back for the very first time to win a slam (and would have been his last one) but it wasn't meant to be. Remember that this wasn't the first time Federer lost a slam match against Djokovic when he had 2 match points (2010 USO SF, 2011 USO SF) Full credit to Djokovic, he was below his best the whole match but managed to still play his best when it really mattered (during the 3 tiebreaks), Djokovic made a total of ZERO unforced errors whilst Federer made 11. That is what got Djokovic over the finish line and led to him holding up the trophy after that 5 hour battle. Federer's sloppy footwork on his 1st MP and boneheaded decision to hit a poor approach shot to Djokovic's FH on the 2nd MP cost him big time.
yeah this one was tough. I think I can simultaneously give Djokovic credit for his achievements and also make the statement that Roger was truly the most talented player I have witnessed and he faltered as he has many times in his career. I think for me I always want the BEST player to win and there have been times when Djokovic has been better BUT there have also been times when Roger has decidedly been better and he has lost it in the deciding moments. and I think for anyone watching who is honest--that wasn't exciting drama that you want as a fan of tennis--it was watching someone lose the match truly than it was someone fighting for their life and pulling out the dramatic W
I watched the match. It was epic BUT I felt both didn't play their best, and Fed missed a lot of easy balls. Still, he had those match points but full credit to Novak, played when it counted. Actually, I guess that's the frustrating thing with Novak. He only plays his best when it counts (he even admits it in the vid) yet Fed plays beautful 100% effort every single point.
@@tomr6955 Could not agreed more! Djokovic played below his level for most of the match. Missing some easy shots, lot of UFO errors, being late to the balls; sometimes not even (mentally) being there in the rallies. Then, in TBs when sets were to be decided, or facing MPs - he lifted his level to his 100%! Literally. And that's done the damage. Poor Rog had no chance.
Federer could play great another 1,2 years, it was covid that cale and then Fed thiught to do the surgery which did not go well but he could postpone it and play pne two years without no play
Federer has always been a great player but his weak mental game is what cost him many more grand slams, not closing out games with match point and choking on crucial points to lose.
Federer woulda been ultimate Goat if he didn't choke.. he should have at least 23 Slams.. his ultimate peak and talent is highest ever in tennis. Only 2011 peak Novak can compare.. Novak just more consistent than Fed that's why he's got more big title's
@shaunbures7557 If his peak and level is the highest in tennis, then where are his clay titles? Where is Rome and Monte Carlo? Only won 1 RG because Soderling beat Nadal for him.
@@TrevorNoremac Federer is Top 5 if not Top3 all time on Clay.. he faced Nadal who gobbled up most Clay titles and Nadal is by far best Clay player ever. Then Federer had to face either Djokvic or Nadal on Clay throughout most of his career which is almost impossible to beat both in same tourney on clay.. and Federer has Clay titles but he skipped on most the 250 Clay events Not to mention Federer beat Novak in 2011 at French Open Semi when Novak had prolly his best season I'm 4 sets.. if you can't comprehend Federers greatness than your a hater
@@shaunbures7557 Top 5 on clay? Top 3??!!! He's not even top 10. It's not about someone being a hater. He doesn't have the credentials. There are plenty of better clay players. He lost to a bunch of players in Rome that weren't Nadal. That's why he never won it. He lost to Wawrinka in a Monte Carlo final.
I remember this. If Federer had won, it would had been alltime Grand Slam record. But it also makes you wonder that if everything is achieved, how to self motivate? What is left? It's much easier to keep practising and continue career if there still is something awesome out there. Olympic Gold Medal for example, is one of those things that these players might kind of think as ultimate goal, but at the same time be afraid that what it might do on motivation of keeping career up & running.
I'd agree if they didn't use that never again used 12-12 all short tie break to resolve it. That was so players weren't dead for their next match. It should've never applied to the final yet it was the only match to ever use that rule. The biggest title in tennis decided w/ an experiment and these guys work so hard for that legacy. Sad for both IMO. Even if Fed won I'd say the same. Djokovic's celebration was very muted due to this I believe in addition to showing respect for the opponent.
@@Vilmir Yeah! That is a contender for best GS final ever IMO also but had it ended it with an experimental new rule & imagine Nadal won, we'd always have to sort of cringe at, what was sort of taken from us as fans. It ended 7-5 but had it went on, what more can you ask for from a sporting experience. As far as I recall no one was injured, they were just exhausted. That's when the true champion emerges 👑 And he did...I'd reference 2017 too. Roger recovering from a break & his backhand of all things basically winning that set for him. We are so spoiled from the last several gens of tennis. I hope the next gen can take the torch forward with the game. 🤞
@@Vilmir Djokovic still tore his shirt off and went over to the fans screaming in celebration in that game, I think he felt quite lucky in 2019 while 2012 was a very even battle
@@loc7909 while I think I agree with you, there is some sense behind it - it would be weird to have one rule for the knockouts and a different rule for the final, and there is a tiebreak in every other set even if one player has a chance to win - I dont like games being decided by tiebreaks but at the same time you can't just let the game go on forever, and the rules are set out in advance so both players know if they want to avoid the 'lottery' of a tiebreak they need to win in the 12 or 24 games- in this game Federer was the better player and he nearly broke at 11-11, but couldnt make it count and ultimately lost in a tiebreak - it's a bit like a penalty shootout in a football game, if they're tied after 90 or 180 minutes, theres 30 mins of extra time and after that, they can't really keep going until the players drop with exhaustion so they each take 5 penalties against the keepers and whoever scores more wins - the last world cup final (largest sporting event on the planet) was decided by a penalty shootout for the 3rd time ever, and the better team won, but had they lost on penalties they'd have only had themselves to blame for failing to capitalise in the game, which is what happened at Wimbledon 2019 - Federer had great chances to win 9-7 or 13-11, or even win one of the 3 tiebreaks, but he didn't and unfortunately that meant the title was decided by a tiebreak Anyway sorry about the clutter there that message was far longer than it had to be, I like the idea of games going on in sudden death until we get a winner but I think they have to have a tiebreak eventually - 12-12 was a good cut off point - maybe they could've made it a bit higher but even in a final the last thing the players need is a game like Isner-Mahut 2010
Those if us who have been following his professional career from the start know how hard he must have worked to accrue this mental strength. He has improved himself by leaps and bounds and have adopted some of the best components of his competitors' games and personality while steering clear of their vices. Some fans might be angry at me for saying this, but I think he learnt humility and grace from both Federer and Nadal and that has made a tremendous difference in his demeanor. He started to behave like a champion and became the biggest champion in the history of tennis. There is so much to admire.
Novaks body is freakish, just built in a different way, perfect for tennis, lithe, not carrying too much muscle, wirey, compact, nothing wasted, symmetry, a never ending will to win, metal resilience like a Giant, i love Federer ans kind of wish hes won, but i take nothing away from Djokovic. he found a way to win and came out the victor, one of the Greatest tennis Matches Ever !
Why would you have expected Federer to win? He was at the tail end of his career, while Djokovic had been in the zone since 2011 and was in the prime of his career. If anything its surprising Federer did as well as he did in this match.
A player like Federer missing the forehand, was the clincher. He should not have lost that forehand. Djokovic and Federer and Nadal and Wawrinka and Murray work on their mental strength. Some do it better than others.
37 years old Federer had enough could not train his mental focus to go on any further than this 4 hour match final in 2019. It really was tough to watch
Federer didn't find an ace and then played poorly those two match points, seeking the shortest possible way to end the match, and unfortunately failing. That's the only truth about that devastating loss.
Agree with you. For me Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time, with the racket. However Djokovic psychologically bettered him, and had the grater mental resilience. Therefore statistically Djokovic is overall undoubtedly the greatest ever, despite not being as naturally talented as Federer
Kudos to Djokovic's mental strength. He did however have that advantage of 'chasing' Federer's records during their rivalry. There is a bit less pressure than defending one's position. Watched a doco on McEnroe and he summed it up nicely saying the thrill of the journey to the top is more enjoyable than being at the top and looking over one's shoulder at the competition that wants your spot.
@@kweizi5712Bro cmon Novak was at every disatvantage you can imagine. He always fought crowds + opponents, and he won his slams in the hardest era possible ( while Fed won most gs versus weaker competition ), also Novak was wrongfully kicked both out of Us Open and Ao Open, and still came on top. And I dare you to open official tennis statistics and check how many top 10 wins Novak had to get on average to get GS tittles in comparison to Federrer. You will be shocked on average.
He is correct! I wish Federer had won this one, it would have been massive (Nadal and then Djokovic in his garden), but Djokovic prevailed ! I am not the biggest fan of his personnality etc. but in terms of work routine, mental, focus etc. he is magnificient.
Federer was not the better player 2019 Wimbledon final The better one wins the match Stats are just numbers without back up if you lose the match I can win 2000 points but if i lose all tie breaks and even the First Set Tie break where Rofer was leading then u are missing the mental part clutch part 😅
This match must haunt Federer even now?? His last chance to win a slam, holding 2 match points - on serve - and still blowing it!! I watched this match as a Federer fan, and was devastated how it ended. But, although I prefer Federer's playing style, Novak is the undisputed GOAT. What really hurts Roger is his abysmal record against Nadal. Nadal owned Roger mentally, and you could see it in his face when he played. On both their faces!!
In my knowledge there is not and there was not a player who would say that. To say that his opponent was better than him. Anyone would have said that he was the best and that’s why he won. I respect his sincerity
Me too. I don’t even hate Djokovic, I think he’s a stand up dude, but it would have been the perfect ending for Federer’s career, and he kinda deserved it. The gods of tennis treated one of the goats pretty badly that day.
My point exactly, Federer f'd up something real bad that day, for God to make so many people sad, Federer said he was crying for months after this match- which mentally broke him, and caused his retirement.@@theamazingbrokenman
Its like in football(soccer)somehow one team has all the possesion the whole entire game is the much better team but cannot finish by scoring and they draw at 90 minutes. So they go to penalties and the "better" team lose in the penalty shootout.. Its tough to watch but it happens
I understand that many people tend to judge those who are world-class performers without having the necessary expertise in the physical or mental areas required for such achievements. As a performance coach, I work closely with individuals striving to reach the pinnacle of their abilities. It's important to recognize that some individuals attempt to elevate their own self-worth by diminishing the accomplishments of high-performing individuals. Before passing judgment, it's valuable to introspect and understand why one might feel depleted when witnessing world-class athletes. By setting aside our own ego, we often discover that the aspects we criticize in others are those we struggle with ourselves. It's a journey we all share, and self-reflection can be incredibly enlightening. Let's work on this together…
It would be foolish not to admit it. Federer had more winners, won more points, had a dominance ratio of ~1.4, etc. He outplayed the best Djokovic in 2011, and still did the same thing 8 years later, as a 38 year old nearing retirement. Obviously Federer is the better player, even more so technically, he just didn't have that killer instinct. Djokovic got away with a lot more than he should have skillwise, fair play to him for admitting it!
I can't believe I just pressed like on a Djokovic video but this truly is amazing and so telling as to why, and I can't believe I'm about to say it, he is the greatest of all time. He is. Got to give it to him. Now let me get back to bashing him for other reasons why I don't like him as a tennis player 😀 but he totally deserves the respect he deserves.
He is not just the Greatest so far but also a gentleman of the game He never wished the other man to lose like the other one who very much wanted it He never starts complaining when he is losing He is even conceding Roger played better but that is the sad part of Tennis that one has won more points can be on the losing side He did not complain when on flimsy ground he was shown door in U S open but Nadal?
Back in the day I used to feel sorry for djocoviic because he was always in shadow on federer, he was just unstoppable- but now, djocovic is absolutely unstoppable
As a Serbian and Nole's fan, I would turn down the TV volume not to hear the crowd and especially the commentator. Back in those days when I was really hyped up and and so nervous anticipating the Nole's win - I would do push ups between points - silence, only video. What pissed me the most with the volume was that whenever Nole played some great shot or game - TV broadcaster would go: "These guys are unbelievable...bla bla" and whenever Fed pulled a great shot or game commentator was like: "Federer is just, ... Roger bla bla". Come on! At the end of the day if you believe in God we are all God's children. Why do we need to be so harsh to some and so easy to others. Peace to all. God bless you all....
i watched it .. and novak's right .. roger overall was the better player .. BUT .. and this is a big BUT .. if you don't take your opportunities when it counts you will ultimately lose .. this is a universal rule for almost all team sports .. except for maybe football (or as some call it soccer) because the draw is as probable as a win or a loss
@@mambi74 Fed is better to watch (for me) because he tries every single point. This is why it often results in him winning more points even when he loses matches.
@@tomr6955and it's why he also lost more. Super high number of errors. Federer didn't lose to Djokovic, he lost to himself as he often does, sadly. But generally, Federer on a bad day is a better tennis player than Djoko and Nadal combined. The problem is that this also means that he'll try harder and make more mistakes. Federer would've had 10 slams more, easily, if he didn't make so many mistakes. Not even on crucial moments, just overall, it's not the pressure. Federer has always been his worst enemy. His biggest rival was always himself.
I watched Wimbledon final 2019 and find it hard to watch it again on RU-vid. Whenever i think about it i can't believe how Roger lost after having all those match points. He choked and it wasn't the first time. If he had better mental strength then he would have won that match and his 21st grand slam. If his mind was stronger than he could have won about 30 grand slams. Im surprised his Coaches never worked on this or if they did they didn't do a great job
"Novak is a first class guy on and off the court" - What, hitting tennis balls at officials? Holding tennis tournaments during a global pandemic? Faking COVID tests to get into Australia? You mean that first class guy?
that USO fraudulent ejection and then COVID BARRED from USO AND AO are the biggest scandal in tennis history. History records this guy is the GOAT despite being cheated @@thepsychologist8159
Decía el gran Kobe Bryant, importa un poco el comiezo para agarra impulso y lo que más importa realmente es como cierras cada cuarto y en especial un partido. Y Novak Djokovic es especialista en los momentos decisivos, si, ha tenido suerte, pero la suerte se busca, la tienen los verdaderos campeones! Novak idoló de muchos, saludos desde Uruguay, tierra de Pablo Magic Cuevas!
Did you watch the semi-final match between Serena Williams vs. Amelie Mauresmo -- Wimbledon 2004??? Mauresmo played the match of her career and still lost.
Federer's backhand is an enormous liability during high stakes tiebreakers. It breaks down during long rallies. Roger's greatest strengths is his serve and forehand. Nadal and Djokovic have always went to the backhand of Roger's to neutralize Federer's greatest weapon.
Funny thing is that people always say that these things happen and fed loses another match. But its not true these things dont happen according to history... It hasn't been since 1948 that a player has lost having match point in the Wimbledon finals!!! Let alone two championship points. Just let that sink in for a moment. So when someone says these things happen... No they dont lol
It was obvious to anyone who watched the match. I would just add one point. It was not just his own incredible mental fortitude, but also Roger's somewhat weak one, that gave Novak the win in that match, and the advantage in career slams. Just as Novak has the greatest record in tiebreakers, because his nerves withstand the pressure and allow him even greater focus in them, Roger was unfortunately the opposite. It happened in this match too. Roger was serving stupendously and giving Novak fits with different speeds and revolutions on almost every play. But as soon as it came to the tiebreakers, he started making boneheaded plays and unforced errors, and missing his first serves, all of which helped Novak win all 3 breakers. In judging their careers, I will always consider Roger to be the most talented men's tennis player in history, but Novak is the GOAT because his mental prowess towered over everyone else, whereas for Roger, that was his primary weakness. He lost at least 3 or 4 other slams for the same reason, while Novak won at least 4 or 5 primarily because of outlasting his opponent mentally.
hmmm...headline: ... _shocking confession_ is meant to attract clickers, I assume. There is nothing shocking there. Djoko said that at some other times.
I do believe that Federer really does have a weak memtal game. I really think he should not play so quick between points to acknowledge his nerves and process it instead of going at it without thinking much of it.
Fed was the only one from the big 3, to have a technical weakness: his backhand was not enough consistent. Nadal and Djokovic may not be as genius as he was. But they had not a huge weakness.
I think this match should have an asterisk regardless of winner. The 12 all tiebreak was the stupidest thing I've ever witnessed in tennis. Why not just let them play it out? There are no more matches after the final. Notice they never used that rule again...shame such a great match was resolved with a ridiculous rule.
I’m not sure who’s commentating this video but it said that Federer won two match points on his serve and that wasn’t enough. If you win 1 match point you win the match…
No doubt in my mind when federer had those 2 match points he was definitely thinking of the previous times he was in the same position with Novak such as the us open 2011 and I think it just got to him.
N Djokovic... weakness is... you should win 🏆 first 3 consecutively... otherwise you can't tackle him... bcoz ... his stemmina ; 4hrs also without losing concentration 📉 he'll outplay U pretty good. 👍.That's his record tells... you can ✔️ check .
"They were devastated because the real king displaced the fake one" - That really is a stupid comment, honestly. - I'll tell you the reason Federer lost that match. He wanted it too bad. He didn't expect it, but he wanted that last game to be uncontested. I truly believe Federer would have retired after that match. - However, do I think Djokovic is the best or the GOAT? No. I believe the level these three players got to, how they pushed each other, the tally of tournament wins and grand slams, they are equal to me. - Some would argue that because Djokovic keeps winning that he's the GOAT. Not so. He's just found a formula for winning and unfortunately most players on tour play the same brand of tennis as Djokovic, except he just plays it that little bit better. No different to Federer between 2004-2008, he was just playing at a higher level and had the formula to win. As players would often say, that they felt they had lost the match before it had even started. It's the same now with Djokovic. - As for pure talent, as for playing 'the beautiful game', Federer has that over Djokovic every day.
@@thepsychologist8159 no it is not ridiculous…too many times Federer fans call him a king…of what…when Nole started to stop being a clown he had him down for the count when it counted…
