Novak Djokovic, despite being a four-time champion, never really felt loved at Wimbledon. All he had won was a reluctant admiration. On Sunday, he gave the crowd at SW19 and around the world a new opportunity to re-evaluate this relationship with a performance for the ages in order to defeat the winner eight times, Roger Federer, 7-6 (5), 1-6 , 7-6. (4), 4-6, 13-12 (3) and clinched his fifth crown and 16th overall.

In the battle of will that lasted four hours and 55 minutes, Djokovic raised the dead in the final set of nearly two hours, saving two match points with Federer serving at 8-7. The first was a good forehand while the second was a mistake from Federer on a forehand Djokovic.

Then, at 11:11, he pushed two points - the second with a bold charge to the net - to slide the set towards the newly introduced deciding game. Once there, it seemed like a familiar territory, as he had won both ties, as he was coming home with only three points.

Djokovic may have beaten the duel on the court, but Federer had the evening line. "We will never forget this match," he said. "I'll try to forget," he replied. For Federer, defeat will surely hurt. For the first four sets, the Swiss was clearly the best player. Yet he magnanimously praises Djokovic.

"I had my chances. He did it too, he said. "I am very happy with the level of my performance. Novak ... Congratulations, man. It was crazy! Now, it's become a father and a husband again. It's perfect."

It was a match that Djokovic should have completed well before he reached 4-2 in the fifth set. But Federer found the mark at 4-4 and kept up the pressure. Once he had lost the opportunity to serve him at 8am / 7am, there was a sense of inevitability about the tie-break.

Earlier in the afternoon, the first set was dedicated to cat and mouse. Federer was brave, hitting closer and closer to the lines, especially on Djokovic's side, to take the ball far beyond the Serbian strike area. However, whenever compelled, Djokovic offered a clutch service.

It was a tiebreaker to settle the first set and Federer, who had previously shaded tennis, cracked first, missing two strokes unusual. But the Swiss have quickly let go of their lethargy. He was riding 5-3 and with a service still in the bag, it was up to him to lose. But the 37-year-old dismissed two straight shots, each time trying to find the extreme angle. A non-forced error gave Djokovic the first shy on the set and forced a backhand error to win.

The defending champion, however, completely went out on the second run, losing 6-1. Djokovic paused, as if to clear his thoughts. It does not necessarily come out with a spring, but is sufficiently prepared to stop the slide.

The competition was reset and for the first eight games of the third set, Djokovic and Federer appeared to be two boxers who fought in the first rounds of a heavyweight fight. In the ninth, however, the level rose.

Federer got a point with a majestic volley of volley, which could have left the big John McEnroe to tears in his eyes. The crowd burst, but by the time they settled in, Djokovic made his way home and finally won the match. Play in the fourth wobbled before Federer broke into the fifth and seventh games. Djokovic was allowed a break, but Federer held on to a fifth. But it was not his day.