Tennis: Novak too good today, Federer

Roger Federer, right, couldn't add to his 17 Grand Slam titles yesterday but remains upbeat despite losing in four sets to now three-time Wimbledon champ Novak Djokovic. Photo / AP

Roger Federer will continue his pursuit of more Grand Slam glory after accepting his latest Wimbledon final loss in the same stylish fashion with which he's graced London's hallowed courts for the past 16 years.

Federer paid tribute to Novak Djokovic's class and resistance after the world No1 ground out a spirited 7-6 (7-1) 6-7 (10-12) 6-4 6-3 win over the seven-times champion yesterday.

In a phenomenal display of counter-punching, Djokovic withstood 58 winners from the Swiss great and made just 16 unforced errors in four sets and almost three hours to reign supreme for a third time at the All England Club.

The defeat denied 33-year-old Federer another page in the record books as the oldest grand slam champion in professional tennis and also extended his barren run in majors to three years.

But he departed with few regrets and feeling good about his game after difficult seasons in 2013 and 2014 when he battled injuries and performed below his best.

"I lost against the world No1 at the moment. That's the kind of guy you probably can lose against," Federer said.

"But I'm not going to accept it and say it's normal. It's not. I've beaten him a few times. I'm one of the few guys that's gotten a chance.

"Same with Stan [Wawrinka at the French Open] and a few guys that have given Novak a run for the money.

"Clearly I was always going to believe hard today that I was going to come through as the winner, but still always being humble knowing how tough it was going to be."

In the twilight of his career, Federer hasn't claimed a grand slam title since winning Wimbledon in 2012.

"I'm still very hungry and motivated to keep playing and a match like this is very helpful," he said.

"Of course I would like to have won but Novak played really well."

Grand Slam leaders

17:

Roger Federer (SUI)

14:

Rafael Nadal (ESP), Pete Sampras (USA)

12:

Roy Emerson (AUS)

11:

Bjorn Borg (SWE), Rod Laver (AUS)

10:

Bill Tilden (USA)

9:

Novak Djokovic (SRB)

8:

Andre Agassi (USA), Jimmy Connors (USA), Ivan Lendl (USA), Ken Rosewall (AUS), Fred Perry (GBR)

- AAP