One curious gesture told how much winning this epic Wimbledon final meant to Novak Djokovic.

After shaking hands at the net with the vanquished Roger Federer, the Serb fell to all fours, picked a blade of the hallowed centre court grass, and ate it.

He then climbed into the stand where he embraced his entourage, including Boris Becker, a man who knows a thing or two about winning at the All-England Club.

Djokovic defeated Federer in five sets, 6-7 (7-9) 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-4, in one of the greatest ever Wimbledon finals. The match lasted three hours and 56 minutes. By the time it finished, the shadows were lengthening across the court, but no one dared leave their seat.

With the trophy. Photo: Getty

It was the 27-year-old’s seventh grand slam title, and his second Wimbledon triumph. It also established him as the world No. 1.

More important than all that, however, was the manner of his triumph. The Swiss master pushed him to the edge of his ability and physical capacity in a match that reached sublime heights.

After taking a two sets to one lead, Djokovic had a match point in a remarkable fourth set – in which both players were broken twice – only to watch as Federer took the match into a fifth set. Djokovic, who was sliding around on the sun-baked baseline retrieving balls from Federer, was twice treated for leg injuries.

“It was a great match to be part of,” a humble Djokovic said afterwards. Turning to Federer, he said: “I respect your career and everything you have done. Thank-you for letting me win today.”

Djokovic, who is soon to become a father, dedicated the win to his family, in particular “my future wife and our future baby”.

Tennis romantics had dared to dream that Federer had one more masterpiece left in him. In a sense, he did. It just wasn’t a winning one.

With coach Boris Becker. Photo: Getty

At 32, Federer stood to become the oldest champion in the open era, and the first man to win eight Wimbledon singles titles.

“I can’t believe I made it to five (sets),” he said with a broad grin. “It wasn’t looking good there for a while.”

Pointedly, he finished his on-court interview with the words: “See you next year.”

Djokovic started the better of the two, settling into the match like a metronome into a beat. It was only when Federer employed his backhand slice midway through set that he really got into his stride, mixing up the pace and angle, all the better to employ his full repertoire of shots. Federer took the first set in a tiebreak, but there was nothing in it.

Djokovic broke Federer in the third game of the second set, and duly took the set 6-4.

The match stepped up a notch in the third, both players occasionally gaining the ascendancy, only to have it wrested from them. Federer produced a ‘golden service’ game – four successive aces – and was in superlative rhythm.

With opponent Roger Federer. Photo: Getty

Yet Djokovic kept counter punching and produced some remarkable passing shots, and not a little artistry of his own.

A couple of errors from Federer in the tiebreak – an overhit forehand and a backhand slice that drifted wide – were enough to give Djokovic a two sets to one lead.

Then the amazing fourth set. Federer’s concentration, or perhaps confidence, took a wobble and, for the first time in the match, he stated spraying his shots, unleashing a succession of loose forehands. Djokovic broke him.

Federer then switched into ‘fighter’ mode. He attacked, and produced a series of winners, each one marked with a clench fist salute that suggested he was not done with yet. He immediately broke back.

The same dance was repeated. Break and break back.

Serving at 4-5, Federer double faulted out of nowhere and Djokovic found himself on match point, only for Federer to produce an ace that was confirmed only after he challenged the call. 5-5.

Now it was Djokovic’s turn to wobble. His next service game included an insipid double fault and an unforced overhit backhand and he was broken again. Federer served out the set, taking it 7-5 and the match into a fifth.

The fifth set was nerve-wracking. Federer, serving second, was always under pressure to hold. Djokovic survived a break point in the seventh game, and Federer three break points in the eighth.

Federer was producing winners, bravely attacking the net off second serves or when receiving. Djokovic was relentless, hitting deep, powerful ground strokes that always has his opponent under pressure.

Finally, serving at 4-5, Federer’s first serve deserted him, and he was broken once too often. A straight forward backhand into the net and it was all over, almost four hours of brilliance done in the blink of an eye.

Djokovic dives to make a shot against Federer during their five-set epic. Photo: Getty