Rivaliät between Federer and Djokovic: In grass bite – Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have delivered in the past, some memorable duels. Thanks to the Baselbieter says Djokovic, he had become a better player.

Novak Djokovic celebrated his three-set win in the first semi-final against Richard Gasquet. He raised his arms, then he leaned over and touched the grass. The gesture has become a ritual; . Grass he cares only to eat when he also won the tournament – a year like 2011 or before

Djokovic ‘restraint after the semi-final victory had quite their logic: Who won in recent years as much how the 28-year-old Serb, for a final qualification alone is no longer cause for exuberant joy. Djokovic has dominated the past four years on the tour. Since he has taken in January 2011 at the Australian Open in Melbourne his second Grand Slam title he has won seven major titles and stood six more times in the Final. For a year and the second title in Wimbledon he is the undisputed number 1 in the rankings. This year Djokovic has won 47 of 50 games. Only Ivo Karlovic, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka have beaten him

Now Djokovic hits in the Final on Federer. with his victory against this started his second reign at Wimbledon a year ago. “The first title Beginning exceptional for me. The second, however, was even more special because I him against the best grass players’ve probably against the best players won at all, “he said. The match lasted nearly four hours, and appeared twice ruled in favor of Djokovic ‘.

Against any other player Federer has more Grand Slam duels disputed as against the Serbs, and some of them were memorable – as the two semi-finals at the US Open in 2010 and 2011, in which Federer missed two match points. Then the Basel ended in the summer it in Roland Garros Djokovic ‘series of 43 individual victories. And three years ago he stopped the Serbs on the way to his 17th and final major title for the time being in the Wimbledon semi-finals.

“Roger is one of those players, thanks to which even I have become better. I have a variety of feelings experienced against him, thanks to which I have understood what it takes to be itself better, “he says.

Roger Federer has indeed en route to his tenth Wimbledon final only issued a set and a half hours less spent on the court, though Djokovic is slight favorites on Sunday. The Serb survived the first knockout round against South African Kevin Anderson a test over five sets and two days. But at last he had against Marin Cilic and Richard Gasquet no problems.

Still, says Djokovic to play against Federer, was probably the biggest challenge that one could imagine. That may be part of the understatement, which maintains the Serb. He has already played more convincingly than in the last twelve days. But hardly anyone understands it better than him, to grow at the opponent. Against Gasquet disabled him lightly complaints. But on Sunday he will be ready. He wants to bite back in the grass.