WIMBLEDON 2015 MEN'S FINAL

We know by now the triumph of world number 1 tennis player, Novak Djokovic as the men's champion at Wimbledon 2015. How did he get there, how did he beat Roger Federer, world number 2 tennis player?

The scores, 7-6 (1), 6-7 (10), 6-4, 6-3, Novak Djokovic. 

Djokovic won by 5 games, 7 points, or 6 games, 3 points (4 points in a game, rounded). For four sets, a total of 45 games, each player won 19.5 games, where Roger took 43% of Djokovic's game (not enough), and Djokovic took 57% of Roger's game (dominance). 

Interesting, the scores look close with the tiebreakers, even the 6-4 game spread is not bad, in fact, very all right in tennis vernacular, but the 3 game loss in the fourth set was the clincher, the deciding factor in the spread of 14% (not so good for Federer), favor Djokovic.

I saw the match in its entirety, how did Djokovic emerge the victor? Simple, really, he got the ball back one more time, fast! 

How many times have we heard that as League players? Sounds easy, right?  Far from it! 

I was in a singles match a few days ago, and my opponent had the fastest topspin I have come across in my travels as a USTA player. If I could not outsmart her, quickly, then she won the point. And she won many, I may add. My match, similar to Roger's and Novak's, boiled down to who could execute the fastest shots with the best precision. I lost my match because my topspin is not as fast as my opponent's, I could only take 20% of her game, and actually happy I could get that as she was so fast. I know what I need to work on!  

And Roger, he lost his match because his shots broke down when he needed them most. What caused Roger's shots to break down? The speed of the ball from Djokovic's racquet.

When the ball is coming at you that fast, after 8 rally shots or so, it becomes more difficult to control. The one hitting the faster precision shots will win the point, I know, from learning the hard way :)

My recommendation~ to Roger and myself, is to get the ball going faster, stronger, with placement and precision. A tall order, but with more, yes more practice, 50 times more, success can be achieved. This is my goal, stay tuned!

Now, let's look at the official stats for this men's final~

Match Statistics

 

Novak Djokovic          Roger Federer

ACES

13                                  14

DOUBLE FAULTS

1                                      3

1st SERVES IN

95/145 (66 %)               94/141 (67 %)

 1st SERVE POINTS WON

70/95 (74 %)                 70/94 (74 %)

 2nd SERVE POINTS WON

30/50 (60 %)                23/47 (49 %)

NET POINTS WON 

20/34 (59 %)                42/58 (72 %)

 BREAK POINTS WON

4/10 (40 %)                  1/7 (14 %)

RECEIVING POINTS WON

48/141 (34 %)             45/145 (31 %) 

WINNERS 

46                                 58

 UNFORCED ERRORS

16                               35

TOTAL POINTS WON

148                                  138

Distance Covered (Metres)

2967.7                         3172.3

Dist. Covered/Pt. (Metres)

10.4                              11.1

 

If you look at these numbers, there is only a 10 point spread in total points won, where Roger takes 48% of Novak's game.  Interesting how the numbers will vary depending upon your method of analysis. Compare this 48% spread to the above 43%.  Either way, again not enough for the win. You need over 50%, still basic math no matter what.

What definitely glares here is the amount of unforced errors on Roger's part.  35 versus 16 from Djokovic. What does that mean? Aha, translated, it is ball speed. As Novak is teeing up in a rally, Roger has lost control of the ball. He has made 19 more unforced errors than his rival.

But look, Roger has so many more Winners! 58 to 46, a difference of 12 more winners than Djokovic. Again, not enough. 

Another crucial category is the Break Points Won.  Look at how Novak excels in this department. Novak wins 4 out of 10 break points, a lot of opportunity Roger has handed to him, and Roger has only won 1 out of 7 break point opportunities from Novak.

And, Distance Covered, the numbers alone suggest Novak has Roger on the run, again, ball control. Speed. Also, Roger getting to net contributes to this distance factor, but I wonder if that tired him, therefore losing control and the downward spiral begins...

Of great importance here~ Novak keeps the window of opportunity closed for Roger, and opens it wide for himself when it counts. 

And look at the other more closer categories, they are either very even, or again with Djokovic acquiring small gains here and there. What does that tell us? That each and every ball, each and every point, counts.  Little successes add up to a lot. 

In Summary~

Each ball counts

Increase your own racquet speed, now! Use topspin to keep the ball in the court

Run thy opponent

Yes, go for winners

Be opportunistic, break your opponent's service game, it will save you and your game in the long run

Hold thy serve 

For more match stats per set, please click here at the Wimbledon site.

We love you two champions, BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Novak, your gluten free diet I am sure has given you the strength to sustain your number 1 status! 

Check out Amazon for Novak's book Serve to Win, the recipes are terrific!

And Roger, you are wonderful, we look to you at the upcoming US Open in NYC!

courtesy Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

 You may also want to see how Serena Williams won her 2015 Wimbledon title. Please see WIMBLEDON 2015 WOMEN'S FINAL for insights and plays.