Fifty matches, five Grand Slam finals and the longest Wimbledon final ever played. The rackets behind the rivalry.
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic played each other 50 times, and Djokovic finished ahead 27–23, including 13–6 in finals. They met in five Grand Slam finals: the 2007 US Open, which Federer won, and four later ones, all won by Djokovic, three of them at Wimbledon.
The Rackets
Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph (Federer) — in 2014, after years on 90 square inch frames, Federer made the biggest equipment change of his career and moved to a 97 square inch head. Wilson lists the RF97 Autograph for 2014 to 2022. That means the 2015 Wimbledon and US Open finals and the 2019 Wimbledon final were played with it; in the first half of 2014 he was testing a prototype, before the production frame appeared. For his earlier frames, see Federer and Nadal and Federer and Roddick.
Head (Djokovic) — Djokovic has played Head since 2009. The racket he uses is a pro-stock frame painted to look like the model he endorses. See Nadal and Djokovic for the full story.
The Strings
Both men played the same kind of hybrid: natural gut in the mains and Luxilon Alu Power in the crosses. Federer used Wilson Natural Gut, which Wilson sells with Luxilon as its Champion’s Choice set. Djokovic used Babolat VS Touch gut. Two rivals, two brands of gut. Gut never really left.
The Ball
All three Wimbledon finals were played with a yellow ball. Wimbledon had given up white in 1986. Here is the story of how white disappeared.
Five Finals
2007 US Open: Federer won.
2014 Wimbledon: Djokovic won.
2015 Wimbledon: Djokovic won 7–6, 6–7, 6–4, 6–3. It was Federer’s tenth Wimbledon final, the first time a man had reached ten finals at the same major.
2015 US Open: Djokovic won 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4.
2019 Wimbledon: Djokovic won 7–6, 1–6, 7–6, 4–6, 13–12, in four hours and 57 minutes, the longest singles final in Wimbledon history. Djokovic saved two championship points at 7–8 in the fifth set, with Federer serving. It was the last Grand Slam final of Federer’s career.
The Verdict
Djokovic leads 27–23 overall, 13–6 in finals and 4–1 in Grand Slam finals. Federer won the first Grand Slam final between them and Djokovic won every one after it.
On the record: Djokovic, 27–23.
On Grand Slam finals: Djokovic, 4–1.
Want to play the game the way they saw it? Join the waiting list for The White Ball, or get the free collector’s guide to start your own racket collection.
— The Editor, Court Privée
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