Wimbledon 2021 final LIVE RESULTS: Djokovic facing Berrettini as he aims to equal Nadal and Federer's 20 Slams
NOVAK DJOKOVIC is out to make history in the Wimbledon men's final as he takes on Matteo Berrettini.
The Serb has currently won 19 Grand Slams and victory today will see him equal Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer's joint-record of 20.
- Start time: 2pm BST
- TV/ live stream: BBC/BBC iPlayer
Follow ALL of the latest updates below….
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- Jake Lambourne
AUSSIE RULES
Tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley has paid an emotional tribute to “little sister” Ashleigh Barty following her Wimbledon title.
Two-time Wimbledon champ Cawley, 69, has been in regular contact with the world No.1 and revealed: “One of the last messages I sent to Ash was: ‘Dreams do come true and it’ll come true for you.’
“I felt so confident. I’m so proud of Ash and the way she handles herself. Not just on the court but off the court, too. She’s a great Australian, everybody loves her.
“Ash is like a little sister and part of my family and we treat each other that way.
“It’s magical when you achieve your dream. I’m sure it’s magical for her. Everybody reacts differently when they win Wimbledon for the first time.
“It didn’t hit me until later, because you turn numb. You’re in shock, just as Ash was.
“We were so excited. Now I see the other side. My family, how they were when they were watching me win. They were jumping up, crying, screaming – exactly what we were doing.”
- Jake Lambourne
FANDEMONIUM
Novak Djokovic believes the Wimbledon crowd could be cheering on Matteo Berrettini as fans love to support the underdog.
Speaking prior to their final clash, he said: "He's in great form. He's serving big, playing big.
"So it's going to be a very tough match I think for both of us. But I'm looking forward to a great battle.
"Berrettini is kind of an underdog.
"People also like to see someone win who is an underdog or is not maybe expected to win, is not the favourite to win.
"But hopefully people can also recognise also the importance of this match for me, the history that is on the line."
- Jake Lambourne
McENROE CONTINUED
John McEnroe believes that Matteo Berrettini could struggle for nerves in his maiden Grand Slam final.
The American legend has stated that the Italian could freeze against Novak Dokovic, similar to Karolina Pliskova in her defeat against Ashleigh Barty.
He said: "It is going to hard for Berrettini to handle the nerves. We saw that in the women's final with Pliskova, it is tough," said McEnroe.
"But he knows his best tennis is on grass and needs to let it all hang out.
"I think he will win at least a set, but I wouldn't pick him to win the match."
- Jake Lambourne
ROE YOUR BOAT
Seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe has backed Novak Djokovic to win the Wimbledon title this afternoon.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "Obviously, Djokovic is a huge favourite against [Matteo] Berrettini and he seems to be able to embrace and talk about what he is trying to accomplish.
"That's not easy to say that and back it up.
"Berrettini has a puncher's chance. He has a huge serve and a huge forehand, but it is about whether he can execute and take it to Djokovic enough.
"If he can get Djokovic on his heels often enough then it could be competitive."
- Jake Lambourne
HOW ABOUT MAT
Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini believes it could be a special Sunday for Italians.
Not only could supporters be supporting the first Italian Wimbledon champion, but also a European Championship when they face England in the final tonight.
Commenting on the prospect of a double celebration, Berrettini said: "My first final in Wimbledon, it's just crazy to think about it.
"I think I never dreamed about this because it was too much for a dream."
"Obviously for Italian people in general, it's going to be tough Sunday. But I think we deserve it. I think it's going to be a special Sunday for all of us.
"It's great day, great sport day. I'm really happy that together with football tennis is now one of the biggest sports in Italy."
- Jake Lambourne
OH NO YOU DON'T
Novak Djokovic has risked incurring the wrath of England fans ahead of his Wimbledon final against Matteo Berrettini.
The Serbian ace has revealed he is rooting for Italy in their Euro 2020 final clash against the Three Lions later.
He told Sky Sport Italia: "Football and tennis, Mamma Mia Italia, it’s fantastic!
“Berrettini doesn’t have much to lose against me, perhaps Italy have more to lose with England.
“I hope it’s a wonderful couple of matches and that Italy only win in the evening!”
- Jake Lambourne
SUPER SERB
Novak Djokovic is looking to equal Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's 20 Grand Slam victories later today.
Take a look below at the most Grand Slams won by male tennis players.
- Jake Lambourne
FREE FINAL
Novak Djokovic is looking to equal Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal by winning a 20th Grand Slam title.
The Serb has won five Wimbledon championships and now has just Matteo Berrettini standing between him and immortality.
What time does Djokovic vs Berrettini start?
- The Wimbledon men's final takes place on Sunday, July 10.
- The match commences at 2pm UK time on Centre Court.
What TV channel is Djokovic vs Berrettini on and can I live stream it?
- The Wimbledon men's final is live on BBC One.
- Coverage commences at 1.05pm – 55 minutes before the start. To stream it live, head to the BBC iPlayer.
BRING ON THE BOYS
Australia's Ash Barty reigns supreme at Wimbledon after her 6-3 6-7 6-3 victory over Karolina Pliskova in the Ladies' Singles Final.
The 25-year-old fought off a brave fightback from her opponent to seal her second Grand Slam success, and become the first Australian to win the women's title in 40 years.
That's all from Centre Court for today, but we'll be back tomorrow to watch the men do battle.
Novak Djokovic could make it a double for world number ones after Barty's triumph, and with it seal a sixth Wimbledon title, as well as a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam.
Standing in his way, however, is the eye-catching Matteo Berrettini. Fresh from his triumph at Queen's, the 25-year-old continued his fine form by hitting 22 aces in his semi-final with Hubert Hurkacz, becoming the first ever Italian to reach the Men's Singles Final.
The action begins at 2pm on Sunday, and we'll have all the build-up from SW19 on what will be a memorable day of sport.
- Sam Dymond
ASHLEIGH'S AWESOME FOURSOME
It's been a day that Ash Barty will never forget – although, in fairness, it's been quite the memorable year for the 25-year-old Australian.
Barty adds the Wimbledon Grand Slam to her three titles already won on the WTA Tour in 2021 at Yarra Valley, Miami and Stuttgart.
- Sam Dymond
HATS OFF!
Follower of fashion, Ash Barty caps her championship win by using her head.
- Sam Dymond
CHILDHOOD TO CHAMPION
Ashleigh Barty realised her dream on Centre Court this afternoon when she lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish as the Ladies' Singles Champion of Wimbledon.
It completed her remarkable journey from childhood prodigy to a double Grand Slam-winning star.
- Sam Dymond
ASH EMULATES EVONNE
Ash Barty has spoken a great deal about the impact of Evonne Goolagong Cawley on her career as a fellow indigenous person of Australia, and now the world number one has followed in the footsteps of her idol fifty years to the summer she first won a Wimbledon title.
She means a lot to me, and I just hope I made Evonne proud.
Ash Barty
- Sam Dymond
AUSSIE ACE
For the first time since Ash Barty's hero, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, triumphed in 1980, Australia have a Wimbledon Ladies' Singles Champion.
- Sam Dymond
SWEET KAROLINA
An emotional Karolina Pliskova has been speaking through tears after defeat in the Wimbledon final, but the Czech showed real grace in congratulating Ash Barty on her victory. Pliskova may have lost, but she won a lot of fans on Centre Court today.
I enjoyed every minute playing on this court. I never cry. [Ashleigh Barty] has played an incredible tournament, and played incredible tennis today. Congratulations to her and her team.
Karolina Pliskova
- Sam Dymond
GET THE BARTY STARTED
Centre Court is rocking, but there is no bigger smile than the one upon the face of Ashleigh Barty, the Ladies' Singles Wimbledon Champion for 2021.
- Sam Dymond
*BARTY 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 PLISKOVA
SHE'S DONE IT! ASH BARTY IS THE QUEEN OF WIMBLEDON!
She comes through her service game despite a rare netter handing Pliskova her first – and only – break point of the final set.
But Barty is more than just a stylish stroke player, and shows guts to come through deuce with an ace, and then takes the title when Pliskova is unable to return her forehand.
Cue the emotion! Start the celebrations!
- Sam Dymond
GAME, SET AND MATCH!
ASH BARTY IS THE WIMBLEDON LADIES' CHAMPION!
SHE WINS 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-3! - Sam Dymond
CHAMPIONSHIP POINT FOR ASH BARTY!
- Sam Dymond
BARTY 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 5-3 PLISKOVA*
A sensational first point in which the players exchanged volleys at the net sets the tone for a wonderful game – and brings a standing ovation from the Centre Court crowd.
It was won by the backhand of Pliskova, and that follows a pattern for two more points as she holds in style.
Barty will now serve for the championship.
- Sam Dymond
*BARTY 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 5-2 PLISKOVA
Pliskova follows a brilliant forehand winner across court to draw level at 30-30 with an awful miscue from the same position to leave her opponent in charge.
That kind of interchangeable inconsistency has been the reason why the Czech will now serve to stay in the championship – although that doesn't give enough credit to Barty, who, at times, has been excellent.
- Sam Dymond
BARTY 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 4-2 PLISKOVA*
The best point of the game belongs to Barty – but the other four go the way of Pliskova, who is very much still fighting for the title.
The Czech's forehand is doing the business all of a sudden, and she even gets a volley just right as she battles through to hold her serve.
- Sam Dymond
*BARTY 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 4-1 PLISKOVA
A loose Pliskova forehand from the baseline nestles into the net, and hands initiative back to Barty at a vital moment.
The scores were tied at 30-30 when Pliskova miscues, and from then, the world number one doesn't look back.
Barty tests her opponent with a combination of power and precision, and eventually wins through when Pliskova squeezes a return wide.
- Sam Dymond
BARTY 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 3-1 PLISKOVA*
Pliskova gets off the mark for the third set with an array of impressive serving and shots.
"You just never know when she's going to turn the hot tap on and off," remarks Sam Smith.
Three forehand winners including a smash at the net suggests the water's temperature is just right. Now it's time to bottle it.
- Sam Dymond
*BARTY 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 3-0 PLISKOVA
Barty holds, and now has a commanding lead in the deciding set.
"I thought those nerves had gone," remarks Sam Smith of Karolina Pliskova.
"So did she," responds John McEnroe as the camera lingers on the Czech looking puzzled.
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