The Crowd Roars for Federer, and Djokovic Tunes Out the Noise

AdvertisementSupported byOn TennisBy Kurt StreeterWIMBLEDON, England — Yes, Novak Djokovic stared down the deepest of holes in a championship match for the ages on Centre Court on Sunday, coming back after Roger Federer held two match points while serving for the title.And, yes, Djokovic did indeed emerge victorious, 7-6 (5), 1-6, 7-6 (4), 4-6, 13-12 (3), in the longest Wimbledon singles final, and the first to end in a fifth-set tiebreaker with the score tied at 12-12.[Read about how Novak Djokovic outlasted Roger Federer over nearly five hours.]But amid all the marveling about the tense moments and the miraculous shots, it shouldn’t be overlooked that the vast majority of Centre Court fans frothed for Federer from the first ball to the last. Crowds always respond to him with that kind of backing, but the nearly existential fervor is only growing as he continues to challenge for major titles at 37.“Let’s go Roger!” and “C’mon, Roger, you can do it, Roger!” echoed so loudly and with such strident urgency that it is probably still ringing through the Wimbledon air.When Federer at long last pushed the match to the brink, gaining a match point as he served at 8-7 in the fifth set, the crowd seemed ready to shake Centre Court to its studs.But Djokovic simply would not back down. Djokovic won when Federer shanked a forehand that fell well out.Often times, when he wins a big match, Djokovic makes a display of thanking the crowd by turning to each side of the court and blowing kisses and making gestures that show his love.On Sunday, when the end finally came, there was none of that.