Sunday 12 July 2015 13:07, UK
Novak Djokovic has stated that Roger Federer is the best ever tennis player ahead of Sunday's final showdown at Wimbledon.
Federer produced a masterful display on Friday in brushing aside Andy Murray in straight sets to set up his 10th Wimbledon final and 26th at all the Grand Slams.
The 33-year-old Swiss star is hunting an eighth title in London, while his Serbian opponent is targeting a third All England Club triumph and a ninth Grand Slam victory, which would match his coach Boris Becker's tally.
We all know how good he is: he's the greatest ever. There's not enough praises for what he does.
While joking he didn't want to spend too long saluting his fierce rival, Djokovic admitted: "He's one of the people that actually made me a better player.
"In the matches against him, I went through a lot of different emotions and things that allowed me to understand what I need to do to become a better player and to win against him and win grand slam trophies.
"He's so good and so consistent: we shouldn't spend too many words about him. We all know how good he is: he's the greatest ever. There's not enough praises for what he does."
Djokovic showed no mercy in last year's thrilling five-set final but is wary of the resurgent powers of the former world No 1, who will be the oldest man in a Wimbledon final since 1974.
"This is where he loves to play: this is where he plays his best tennis," added Djokovic.
"The Centre Court of Wimbledon, seven titles: it's his court, he loves it. He usually rises up to the occasion. He's always playing his toughest when it matters the most.
"That's why he's a big champion. It's going to be probably the biggest challenge I can have."
Djokovic edged out Federer last summer to end a spate of three successive Grand Slam final defeats.
The Serbian top seed still views last year's victory as a mini turning point in his career and is determined to improve on his record of winning half of his 16 major finals so far.
"It was a very important match for me to win last year in the Wimbledon final because I've lost quite a few Grand Slam finals," said Djokovic.
"I was on the verge of the win, Roger came back and we went down to the wire in the fifth. To win that match in five sets against Roger on grass was definitely something that gave me a lot of confidence.
"A few days after that, I got married. That was more than a few things that happened in a positive way in my life. Of course, I became a father as well, entered a new dimension of joy and happiness and love.
"I'm trying to stay on that wave as much as I can and hopefully I can do well on Sunday."
