Tennis: Toilet break key moment for Djokovic

Novak Djokovic. Photo / AP

Novak Djokovic revealed yesterday that a self-administered pep talk in a toilet cubicle helped him push over the finish line of the Wimbledon final - a showdown with Roger Federer that Martina Navratilova has described as one of the five best matches of all time.

Andy Murray has admitted that "I started talking to myself" in front of the toilet mirror at the identical stage of his own breakthrough victory over Djokovic at Flushing Meadows two years ago.

"It's like Andy in the US Open," Djokovic said yesterday, "except that I wasn't looking in the mirror. I was looking at the toilet seat. I needed some time to refocus and forget about what happened in the fourth set, forget about the missed opportunities and move on."

Djokovic had twice led by a service break in that fourth set, and held a match point at 5-4, only to let Federer roar back with a sequence of five straight games. With five defeats in his previous six Grand Slam finals Djokovic started the decider under extreme pressure.

"You go through different emotions during such an important match," he added. "There are times when you have doubts. Especially after the fourth set, there is disappointment which brings with it fear and doubt and all these different demons inside.

"When you start fighting them, that's the biggest fight you can have.

"That's what I experienced and I managed to have my convictions stronger than my doubts in this moment and managed to push myself the very last step to win the trophy."

For the second year running, Djokovic faced not only a determined opponent but a biased crowd, for Federer enjoyed almost as much support as Murray had done in 2013. Yet the new champion insisted he understood the fans' sentiments.

"I know that this is something that I have to earn," said Djokovic. "Playing against Andy Murray last year in the final, how could I expect the majority of the support? It is normal that they all support their home favourite and the hero.

"This year, playing against Roger, who is the probably the most loved tennis player in the world, there is also no question about. He deserves it [the support] for being so many years who he is, and successful as he is."