Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic an untouchable pair on top of tennis world

 

It was an unexpected way for Wimbledon to end: with the two victorious players gyrating on stage at London’s historic Guildhall to the strains of the Bee Gees’ Night Fever.

Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer for third Wimbledon, ninth Grand Slam title

“It’s a tradition that had been a little bit forgotten,” said Novak Djokovic, with his characteristic feel for tennis history. And he was right, for what was once the Champions’ Ball was renamed the Champions’ Dinner as long ago as 1977. Until Sunday night, the idea of two newly-crowned players gliding across the dance floor had seemed as out of date as wooden rackets, mullet hairstyles and tiny shorts.

 If the celebration was a surprise, the identity of the respective champions was not. Serena Williams has just won her eighth grand slam title from 13 attempts, while Djokovic’s note-perfect display against Roger Federer on Sunday took his tally to three from the past five.

When was the last time that two players had the sport in such an armlock? You probably have to go back to 1969 and the Australian pairing of Rod Laver and Margaret Court, who won seven of the eight majors that year.

While Williams now looks nailed on to equal and probably overtake Steffi Graf’s Open-era record of 22 grand slam titles, the former professionals were musing on Sunday night about Djokovic’s chances of making a similar challenge of his own. Greg Rusedski predicted another five or six majors, and Mats Wilander went further still, suggesting eight or 10. That would take Djokovic past Federer and make him, statistically speaking, the greatest of all time.

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