Wimbledon 2014: Federer vs Djokovic is a fitting finale

Novak Djokovic (L) and Roger Federer

When Roger Federer meets Novak Djokovic in the final at Wimbledon, it will provide a fresh glimpse into their rivalry, which has over the years been overshadowed by intense rivalries between Federer and Rafael Nadal and later, Nadal and Djokovic. Considering that these two have played each other multiple times on every surface, and that they remain fairly even (overall 18-16 in 34 games in favour of Federer), it is evident that they have both had exceptional periods against each other. Dominated early by Federer, Djokovic raised his game as the years rolled by, evening things a little by now.

The 2014 Wimbledon final has snuffed out the threat of the next generation, for now

Nadal’s early exit at Wimbledon provides both these exceptional players with a great incentive – to win their first Grand Slam of the year. And in that respect, it probably matters more for the Swiss, who’s had a dry spell since he produced magic on these same courts two years back.

When Stan Wawrinka at this year’s Australian Open became the first player from out of the Big Four (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray) to win a Slam in nearly five years, it was widely expected that a newer generation of players would come forward. But after a Nadal-Djokovic French Open final, the Wimbledon 2014 final too could be said to be along expected lines.

Since 2003, when he first won the tournament, Federer has always been consistent on this surface, providing very few opportunities for anyone to defeat him. Djokovic on the other hand has been the most consistent player over the last few years, always there or thereabouts in the big tournaments.

Rooting for Roger Federer comes naturally to most

There’s been an extraordinary calm about Federer’s game this time around. He’s looked a lot more relaxed, a lot more confident even, and it has told in his game. Every year when this historic tournament comes around, expectations peak for this great player from Switzerland, and all his fans and possibly a lot of neutrals too would love to see Federer get one last hurrah if not more.

His game has always been easy on the eye; the simplicity, the flow, the grace – it’s an honest throwback to a lovely memory of an era gone by. There’s also his persona, an aging champion amidst big hitting youngsters, which makes it a little easier to identify with him. When he dominated the game for many years in his early days, he was almost robotic, emotionless on the field, and a little away from adulation.

But as his days got numbered, a more human side (for the lack of a better word) showed, and made him less enigmatic and more personal to his fans. His fans will want nothing more than to rub a victory in the faces of all the naysayers in the crowd, but for that to happen, the emperor will have to rise again.

Djokovic will not roll over easily though

Standing in his way though, is a man who himself is not averse to this situation. After 2011, where he won three Grand Slams in the year, Djokovic was widely expected to reign for years to come, similar to what his predecessors, Federer and Nadal did. However, managing to win only the Australian Open in the two years that followed, and then not having won a single Grand Slam title by the third event of this year, must provide immense motivation to him.

Djokovic is a very difficult player to defeat, and on his day he can raise his game every time it looks like the chips are down. Mentally too, Djokovic has been able to improve year after year, and he remains a massive threat on any surface.

An 18th overall title for Federer would be fitting on the lawns of Wimbledon, which has been a second home to him away from the mountains of Switzerland. But his opponent will not want this great player to add one more title to his tally, making it even more impossible of a task to catch. In the end, whatever happens, it will write a new chapter in one of their careers, and that in itself is reason to cheer.

The head-to-head numbers

Tournament	Djokovic	Federer
Grand Slams	5	6
ATP World Tour Finals	2	1
ATP World tour Masters	9	10
Davis Cup	0	1