Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer squared off in the Wimbledon Gentleman's Singles Final on Sunday, and their spectacular five-set match drew the attention of some notable NBA people.
Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey and San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge were in awe as Djokovic and Federer battled in the fifth and final set:
— Daryl MorΞy 🗽🏀 (@dmorey) July 14, 2019
This is crazy!!! #Wimbledon
— LaMarcus Aldridge (@aldridge_12) July 14, 2019
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love also reacted to the instant classic, praising both players for the effort:
Just witnessed an all time great Tennis match. Fed and Djoker thank you!!! Wow.
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) July 14, 2019
In what turned out to be the longest final in Wimbledon history, Djokovic bested Federer 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 13-12 (7-3) to win his fifth Wimbledon title, matching tennis legend Bjorn Borg.
This is the third consecutive time Djokovic has beaten Federer in a Wimbledon final after defeating him in 2014 and 2015. It was the first time in grand slam history that a final reached a fifth-set tiebreak.
Federer had multiple match points in the fifth set, but Djokovic was able to hold and battle to the tiebreak, where he closed out the match after five grueling hours of play.
A number of NBA stars have dabbled in tennis in the past. Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward was actually a renowned tennis player in high school, and he may have pursued a career with the racket had he not experienced a late growth spurt.
Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has frequented local courts in Philadelphia, and he has even jokingly called himself the “Black Roger Federer.”
Athletes in every sport often take the time to marvel at the achievements of others, and with Djokovic and Federer engaging in one of the greatest finals in history, Sunday afternoon was no different.
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