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A32 sports
Dialuna 12 Juli 2021

20 Slams! Djokovic wins Wimbledon to tie Federer, Nadal

(AP) — The Wimbledon No. 1 and has spent more tive championship at the All
final was locked up at a set weeks in that top spot than England Club and sixth over-
apiece after nearly 2 1/2 any other man. “But whether all. Those go alongside nine
hours, and Novak Djokov- I’m the greatest of all time at the Australian Open, three
ic’s bid for a record-tying or not, I leave that debate to at the U.S. Open and two at
20th Grand Slam title other people.” the French Open.
was at a critical juncture,
when he faced two break It is a popular topic, certainly. “I have to pay a great trib-
points while thousands in And every member of the so- ute to Rafa and Roger. They
the full-capacity crowd at called Big Three has his sup- are legends. Legends of our
Centre Court chanted his porters. This season might sport. They are the two most
opponent’s first name. tilt the balance in Djokovic’s important players that I ever
favor in the minds of those faced in my career,” Djokov-
Bothered, perhaps, by the yet to be convinced. ic said. “They are, I think,
challenge he was facing be- the reason that I am where
tween the lines Sunday, and, Already the first man since I am today. They’ve helped
perhaps, by the support be- Rod Laver in 1969 to win the me realize what I need to do
ing thrown behind Matteo first three major tournaments in order to improve, to get
Berrettini, and, perhaps, by in a year, Djokovic will take stronger mentally, physically,
the weight of the milestone got what he wanted; a cho- derer (who reached 20 in aim at a true calendar Grand tactically.”
he was pursuing, Djokovic rus of his nickname broke 2018) and Rafael Nadal (who Slam at the U.S. Open, which
shrugged all of that off and out: “No-le! No-le!” Two did it last year). No other starts Aug. 30. Only two men Federer tweeted his congrat-
steeled himself, as he’s done points later, when he grabbed male tennis player has more — Don Budge in the 1930s ulations, writing, “Wonderful
so many times at so many the game with a 118 mph than 14. and Laver twice in the 1960s performance, well done!”
moments on so many stages. ace, Djokovic put his racket — have gone 4-for-4.
behind an ear, heard more Djokovic, of course, wants This was Djokovic’s 30th ma-
On each of the next two noise, nodded and smiled. more. “I’m going to definitely give jor final — among men, only
points, Djokovic, known it a shot,” Djokovic told the Federer has played more, 31
for his baseline supremacy, An hour later, the match was “I consider myself best, and I Centre Court crowd during — and the first for Berrettini,
charged forward. On each, finished — Djokovic won believe that I am the best, oth- the trophy presentation. “I’m a 25-year-old from Italy who
Berrettini’s passing attempt 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 — and erwise I wouldn’t be talking in a great form and obviously was seeded No. 7.
found the net. After the sec- so, too, was his stated desire confidently about winning playing well. ... So let’s keep
ond, Djokovic stared into the to equal the total of major Slams and making history,” it going.” “Hopefully,” Berrettini said,
stands and pointed to his ear, championships collected by said Djokovic, a 34-year-old “it’s not going be my last
then waved his racket. He his biggest rivals, Roger Fe- from Serbia who is ranked He earned a third consecu- one.”