After a fantastic year for the sport of tennis – and a significant boom in popularity here in the UK – it all came to an end tonight in London’s 02 Arena.
The main instigator for that popularity boom, Andy Murray, would not be in attendance however as this match, the final of the ATP World Tour Finals would be contested by two tennis legends. Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, the top two players in the world right now, took centre stage to continue a rivalry that had lit up the tennis world throughout the year.
In 2012 these two titans had been on an even keel, facing each other four times, winning two each – this would be a decider of sorts and the atmosphere inside the 02 reflected that. The 02 arena seemed like the ideal location for this decisive clash as the acoustics inside the arena really intensified the atmosphere. Federer started electrically, breaking Djokovic twice in the first three games.
The third game was an absolute war as Federer used every shot in his arsenal while Djokovic defended to a typically exceptional standard before Federer eventually got the better of him to take a 3-0 lead. All the signs were pointing to Federer taking the first set with ease especially in the fifth game where Djokovic seemed to have the Swiss star on the ropes before Federer struck with a beautiful forehand down the line to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Djokovic then demonstrated why he is the best player in the world, breaking back and taking the set to a tie-break, dominating from the baseline and picking the perfect moment to come to the net and snatch the set 7-6 (8-6).
Djokovic’s quickness got him out of trouble in the first set but Federer wasn’t making it easy for himself either hitting a worryingly large amount of forehands into the net or long. The Serbian showed evidence of fatigue early in the second set as Federer managed to break him again after another cagey rally saw Djokovic hit a shot well wide. Federer had seemed to limit the amount of unforced errors he was committing but was again caught out by Djokovic who turned up the pace to save the second set and break back at the crucial moment to tie the set 5-5. The pressure was suddenly all on Federer as he found himself 6-5 down and serving to stay in the final. Djokovic, tennis’ ultimate opportunist, sensed the opening as Federer’s unforced errors came back to haunt him. Federer steadied the ship slightly as Djokovic was playing for championship point and seemed to have the world number one out of position until Djokovic spectacularly dove along the baseline to smash a shot beyond a staggered Federer. The Serb roared in victory and jogged across the court followed by rapturous applause.
Djokovic has his critics but that’s part and parcel of being the best. After a performance like that in conditions like this where Federer was at his peak and in his preferred environment, Djokovic was truly stepping into the lion’s den and came out on top in style. It may be the end of a spectacular season for tennis but next year promises to be even better. With talents like Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, Murray, Del Potro and Ferrer, tennis is in a golden age right now and the future looks very, very bright.