The 34-year-old Serb showed all his fighting skills and mental strength to come off a set and beat Matteo Berrettini 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 to equalize the record . 20th Grand Slam and 6th Wimbledon Taj on Sunday.
he joins the great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on 20 heads.
It also placed him to become only the third man after Don Buzz (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969) to complete a calendar slam.
“I certainly could have imagined it happening and I hope to give it a shot,” Djokovic said after securing the trophy.
“I’ve been in great form and played well and keeping my best form at the Grand Slam is my first priority.”
Djokovic paid a lovely tribute to Federer – who was knocked out in the quarter-finals – and Nadal, who didn’t play so he could prolong his career.
“That means none of the three of us will stop!” He made fun of the trio being tied at 20.
“I have to pay a great tribute to Rafa and Roger, they are legends of our game and two of the most important players I have ever faced in my career.
“Where I am today, that’s why I am.
“He showed me what I needed to do to be strong physically, tactically and mentally.
“It’s been an incredible journey over the last 10 years that doesn’t stop here.”
Federer has had two knee operations and Nadal is also showing signs of wear and tear, with Djokovic looking like the invincible of the three.
Whether Berrettini can line up further problems only time will tell but he certainly caused something for Djokovic on Sunday.
The affable Italian – the first player from his country to reach the Wimbledon singles final – made a good fist of becoming Italy’s first men’s slam winner since Adriano Panetta at the 1976 French Open.
He clearly had the majority of the 15,000-capacity crowd on his side which at times troubled Djokovic.
However, the Serb warmly embraced Berrettini at the net and then gave many praises, labeling him an ‘Italian hammer’ for the strength of his service.
“It was more than a fight. First of all many congratulations to Matteo his team for a great tournament and a tough match today.
“Losing in the final is not the best feeling, but you have a wonderful career ahead of you and, as they say, this is just the beginning.”
Djokovic said he is capturing the trophy for the sixth time, but he is always taken back when he was dreaming he had won Wimbledon.
“At the age of seven I was building a trophy out of improvised materials I could find in my room and it’s amazing to have that,” he said.
“Winning Wimbledon was always my big dream when I was a kid and I have to remind myself how special it is and not to be taken lightly,” Djokovic said.
“It’s a huge honor and a privilege.”
Over the course of the fortnight, Berrettini won many new fans, and after the loss, his grace flashed again.
“Novak is a great champion. He’s writing history on this court,” he said.
“It’s not the end, it’s the beginning for me.”
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