Wimbledon's central theme following 13 days of play is now clear: it's a marathon game.
To frame the Wimbledon final into context, it's marathon-length was so long that an intermission was required for sleep.
In the time it took Kevin Anderson to reign over John Isner, and then for Novak Djokovic to out-hit Rafael Nadal, there was room for a flight all the way from London to Johannesburg; a staggering 11 hours and 51 minutes.
6 foot 8 South African Anderson proved his matches are as long as his physique: involved in some major epics this week, including a quarter-final against Roger Federer, which lasted for four hours and 14 minutes.
Controversy struck when Nadal, who has won 85 percent of his matches outdoors but only 68 percent inside, lobbied hard for the remainder of the semi to be played in the open.
But Djokovic, as an indoor-playing supreme, saw to it that the centres roof stayed shut, much to the dislike of Nadal and many heat-struck onlookers.
Djokovic ended a two-year Grand Slam trophy drought to reclaim the crown first won in 2011.
โI was very emotional after the match,โ reflected Djokovic, close to tears in an interview with the BBC.
โIt has been a long 18 months for me, trying to overcome different obstacles. There were times of doubt, frustration, disappointment, where you are questioning whether you want to keep going. So, to be where I am now is quite, quite satisfying.โ
โIt feels amazing because for the first time in my life I have someone screaming โdaddy, daddy' and it's a little boy right there,โ Djokovic said.
โHe's under five years old, so he couldn't watch the matches live but we hoped if I lifted the trophy he could be there. I'm very emotional and happy for my wife and my whole team.โ
It's my first Grand Slam final in a couple of years and this is the best place to come back. It's very, very special."
