Novak Djokovic said he was delighted to have won a dramatic thrilling Wimbledon final but felt for the defeated Roger Federer.

The Serb won in five enthralling sets, victory coming at the end of a final set tie-break with the players locked at 12-12. Djokovic dominated, as he had the two previous tie-breaks and lifts the title, though he paid tribute to his opponent on court afterwards.

He told the BBC: “I think this was, if not the most exciting and thrilling final I’ve been a part of then definitely in the top two or three of my career – and against one of the greatest of all time in Roger who I respect a lot.

“Unfortunately in these matches one player has to lose. Both of us had our chances. It was quite unreal to have match points against me and come back and then to have a tie-break at 12-12.

“I was actually hoping I could get to a tie-break. Roger said he hopes he give people the chance to believe at 37 years old and I hope that I am one of them.”

Sets one, three and five were all tied affairs but Federer dominated the second and fourth winning them 6-1 and 6-4 respectively to level the match. He then broke Djokovic in the final set and, serving for the title, had two championship points but Djokovic saved them, broke back and they couldn’t be separated until the final set tie-break.

It is the world number one’s fifth Wimbledon title and 16th Grand Slam overall. He now prepares for the hard court swing and the US Open defending champion is priced 2.30 to defend his title in New York City. Rafael Nadal is 6.00 and Federer 6.00.