Few could resist being drawn to the immaculate Novak Djokovic, who yesterday turned a tight match his way to win his third Wimbledon title. But many on Centre Court also mourned for Roger Federer, who fell in four sets, 7-6(1), 6-7(10), 6-4, 6-3, on a day that triggered more questions about whether he can, when he returns next year at 34, be the credible force that he was over the past two weeks.

Although he lost to Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon final, Federer hasn’t won a major since his eighth Wimbledon title three years ago. His overall Grand Slam tally remains at 17, more than any other player in history.

“I’m right there. My game is good,” he said after the match. “I played on my terms. Things are all right.”

World number one Djokovic, equalling the three-win record of his coach, Boris Becker, and earning his ninth Grand Slam, played a game that squeezed every part of Federer's arsenal, from serving and even passing shots at the net to baseline rallies.

Federer may have contributed to his own downfall with a higher than usual unforced error count, 35 in all, and a serving efficiency that fell below that of his soaring semi-final win against Andy Murray. Djokovic's spartan game kept his unforced return errors to just one in the entire match.

But even in defeat and with his game under pressure, Federer regularly scattered gems around the arena as Djokovic, who has overtaken Andre Agassi and Jimmy Connors on the all-time list of Grand Slam winners, set out to send most of his opponent's balls back across the net.

Avaricious attention

Set beside Federer’s magisterial style, Djokovic’s avaricious attention to the less glamorous task of returning the ball won him the match. He was aided and abetted by a mental strength that functioned perfectly on the high-wire act of a Wimbledon final.

Djokovic turned pivotal points his way and capitalised on loose Federer serving to pocket a one-sided first set tiebreak 7-1. Even in the epic second set tiebreak, which Federer won 12-10, the older player was forced to save seven set points before his volley at the net closed it out for one set all.

It was an error in the third set that gave momentum to Djkovic. Earning a break point on Federer’s serve, Djokovic then ballooned a return with his opponent at the net. It was a volley a club player would have put away. But Federer crashed it out of play and handed Djokovic his serve in the third game, which cost him the set 6-3.

While there was hope for Federer at 2-1 down, especially with the crowd loudly and brazenly cheering on the older man, Djokovic remained solid. Then, in the fifth game of the fourth set, he sent back a return of serve to the baseline at Federer’s toes. Federer tried to pick it up, but couldn’t, again handing over his serve.

“He continuously puts a lot of pressure on you,” said Djokovic. “Especially on the grass, he plays one, two games very quickly, chips and charges, just takes away the time, which Andy and I need. We are baseline players and we need a little bit more time. We are not as talented as Roger.”

Peak moment

From there, Federer chased, but the sense was that the Murray game in the semi-final was his peak moment of the fortnight. The crowd accepted that and warmed to the imperious Djokovic, a cross-court winner sealing the match in just under three hours.

“I still think I had a great tournament,” said Federer. “You can have a good tournament without winning. I still won six matches, lost one. The ratio still remains very good.

“But of course you sort of walk away empty-handed. For me, a finalist trophy is not the same. Everybody knows that. Thankfully, I’ve won here in the past, so it does not feel like I’m chasing anything.

“But clearly I would have loved to win today. There’s no doubt about it. But like you said, I still think I can be very happy with the level of play. Even today, it was fine.”

When it was done, the Serb fell to his knees as before, and placed a blade of grass in his mouth. The crowd then forgot their disappointment.

“Ever since I got married and became a father, I haven’t lost many matches, I won many tournaments,” said a buoyant Djokovic, on his wedding anniversary. “I suggest that to every player: get married, have kids, let’s enjoy this.”