Novak Djokovic has beaten Matteo Berrettini to win his 20th Grand Slam title and sixth Wimbledon crown. Meanwhile Australia‘s Ashleigh Barty has won her maiden title in SW19 and her second slam overall, beating Czech Karolina Pliskova in the ladies’ final.
The men’s final saw two of the sport’s most in-form players battle for the most emblematic prize in tennis. Berrettini, the first ever Italian to reach the final at the All-England Club, was the underdog going into the match but had high hopes of emulating Boris Becker, the last player to win the warm-up event at Queen’s Club on his debut before going on to win Wimbledon. Djokovic served for the first set at 5-3 but let the lead slip before the world #9 bounced back to clinch a tie break and take the lead in his first major final.
Arguably Djokovic’s greatest strength is his ability to bounce back from adverse positions and sure enough the juggernaut was on full display throughout the next three sets as the defending champion edged ever closer to etching his name in the history books once again. The 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4 6-3 win pulled him level with rivals Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer on 20 Grand Slam titles and saw him become only the fourth man in the Open era to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles.
The women’s final saw Barty overcome a spirited fightback from Pliskova in the second set to play flawless tennis in the decider. Her self-described childhood dream became a reality as she eventually took the title over her Czech opponent 6-3 6-7(4) 6-3. The win enabled her to successfully emulate her idol Evonne Goolagong by winning the title 41 years on, and Barty expressed her hopes that she too would inspire “young girls and boys to believe in their dreams.”
After wins in Miami and Stuttgart as well as a runner-up berth in Madrid, Barty has consolidated her spot atop the rankings. Meanwhile, the Serb looks almost unbeatable as he maintains his stranglehold on the top spot and turns his attention to achieving the ‘Golden Grand Slam’ in 2021.
STANDOUTS
The feel-good story of the tournament was that of British teenager Emma Raducanu. Taking advantage of her wildcard status, the Londoner delighted local fans all the way through to the round of 16 before her health got the better of her. Sadly, she was forced to withdraw in the second set against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic.
Miami champion Hubert Hurkacz of Poland was the unheralded story in the men’s draw. Despite a poor run of form since achieving his breakthrough tournament win, he scored back-to-back wins over Daniil Medvedev and Roger Federer to make his first Slam semi-final, eventually falling to Berrettini in four sets.
BREAKTHROUGHS
Marton Fucsovics of Hungary made his Grand Slam quarter final debut. Upsetting Andrey Rublev in round 4, he eventually went down in straight sets to Djokovic in the quarters.
Viktorija Golubic also posted her best Slam performance. The Swiss player had beaten the likes of Danielle Collins and Madison Keys before falling to Pliskova in the quarterfinals.
French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova proved that her form in Paris was more than fleeting. She made it to the last 16 on her first appearance in the Wimbledon main draw, where she fell to Barty in two tight sets.
A resurgent Angelique Kerber was another tricky opponent Barty had to overcome. Their semi-final was one of the matches of the tournament, with the German back in form and with a grass court title in Bad Homburg.
SHOCKS
Stefanos Tsitsipas made a stunning first round exit, falling to Frances Tiafoe in straight sets, a disappointing setback for the Greek #1 who had reasons to be optimistic about his title chances after reaching the Roland Garros final.
Petra Kvitova was also seen off in the first round by another American. The ever-dangerous Sloane Stephens scored a straight sets win over the 2011 and 2014 Wimbledon champ.
Serena Williams’ first round exit was out of the blue more for the manner in which she departed than the result itself. The American, still chasing the elusive 24th major, withdrew injured and teary-eyed thirty minutes into her opening match.
JUNIORS
Ane Mintegi Del Olmo became the first player from Spain ever to win the junior girls title. In the final, she turned the match on its head, coming back from a one-set deficit to defeat Nastasja Mariana Schunk (GER) 2-6 6-4 6-1. On route to the finals, the Spaniard defeated a host of well-known junior names including Linda Fruhvirtova (CZE) and second seed Alexandra Eala (PHI), both former Tennis Europe Junior Tour #1s. Top seed Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva (AND) battled through the third round as well as the quarterfinal, before being edged by the finalist Schunk in their semi-final encounter.
The boys’ singles final was an all-American affair as Samir Banerjee defeated Victor Lilov 7-5 6-3. Amongst the European players to post promising performances were Jerome Kym (SUI), Jack Pinnington-Jones (GBR) and Mili Poljicak (CRO), all of whom were halted in the quarterfinals. Vojtech Petr (CZE), the 2019 14&U Player of the Year, and Macedonian Kalin Ivanovski continued their progress, both reaching the third round.
Boys’ doubles final:
Edas Butvilas (LTU) & Alejandro Manzanera (ESP) d. Daniel Rincon (ESP) & Abedallah Shelbayh (JOR) 6-3 6-4.
Girls’ doubles final:
Kristina Dmitruk (BLR) & Diana Shnaider (RUS) d. Sofia Costoulas (BEL) & Laura Hietaranta (FIN) 6-1 6-2
DOUBLES
Gentlemen’s doubles final:
Nikola Mektic (CRO) & Mate Pavic (CRO) d. Marcel Granollers (ESP) & Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 6-4 7-6(5) 2-6 7-5
Ladies’ doubles final:
Su-Wei Hseih (TPE) & Elise Mertens (BEL) d. Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) & Elena Vesnina (RUS) 3-6 7-5 9-7
Mixed doubles final:
Neal Skupski (GBR) & Desirae Krawczyk (USA) d. Joe Salisbury (GBR) & Harriet Dart (GBR) 6-2 7-6(1)