• Wimbledon, Day 13

Djokovic deals double blow to dethroned Nadal

Novak Djokovic beat defending champion Rafael Nadal to win his maiden Wimbledon title © PA Photos

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Wimbledon Day 13 Gallery
Plays of the Day: Day 13
Djokovic downs Nadal to win maiden Wimbledon title
Novak in dreamland

When Novak Djokovic wakes up on Monday morning, he may have a bit of a sore head. But the pain will quickly disappear with the realisation that he is the new world No. 1.

But not just the new world No. 1, the new Wimbledon champion. Djokovic's thrilling four-set triumph over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday sealed his claim to the top spot in the rankings. Having fallen to Tomas Berdych in the semi-finals last year, the extra 480 ranking points were enough to overhaul Rafael Nadal, regardless of the outcome of Sunday's final.

When Djokovic won his first slam - the Australian Open back in 2008 - he was the first player other than Nadal and Roger Federer to win a major since Marit Safin won in Melbourne three years previously. He had beaten Federer in the semi-finals and only No. 38 seed Tsonga stood between him and his maiden major.

It would be three years before Djokovic would win another slam, but in January, Djokovic once again got the better of Federer before seeing off British No. 1 Andy Murray in straight sets, the start of an astonishing 43-match unbeaten streak that saw him claim seven titles.

In some ways, 'The Streak' took on an identity of its own, and attracted more attention than the form of Djokovic himself. In hindsight, it was almost inevitable that Djokovic's unbeaten start to 2011 would come to an end at 41 matches at the hands of Federer - whose record (41) he was set to overtake.

Djokovic's unbeaten start to the season saw him pick up seven titles and overtake Federer in the rankings, and close in on Nadal. Having beaten Nadal in four Masters finals (Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Rome), Nadal was glancing nervously over his shoulder by the time the players arrived in Paris for the French Open.

Djokovic's semi-final defeat to Federer and Nadal's successful title defence at Roland Garros ensured Nadal remained the world No. 1 as he prepared to defend his Wimbledon title, but Djokovic was not to be deterred.

He may have won their last four meetings, but Djokovic had never beaten Nadal at a grand slam. When Nadal blazed back to win the third set, it looked like we might have a comeback on the cards - if the Spaniard had managed to win, he would have been the first man since Henri Cochet in 1927 to come from two sets down to win a Wimbledon title.

Djokovic is set to become the new world No. 1 © PA Photos

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If Nadal had pulled off an almighty comeback, he would hold three of the four major titles - having successfully defended his Roland Garros and Wimbledon crowns, he is also the reigning US Open champion, with Djokovic the proud owner of the Australian Open crown.

As with Caroline Wozniacki occupying top spot in the women's rankings despite having never won a grand slam, many critics would argue that with just one grand slam title to his name, Djokovic would not deserve the No. 1 ranking.

It is a historic moment - the first time since February 2004 that a name other than Federer or Nadal sits at the top of the rankings - but victory for Nadal at the All England Club would have overshadowed Djokovic's rise to the top.

With just one defeat in the opening six months of the season, there is little doubt that Djokovic is the best player in the world. And what better way to cement his status as the new world No. 1 than to wrest the Wimbledon title from the very man he is set to usurp at the top of the world rankings?

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.