Wimbledon 2011: Novak Djokovic's win - what the papers say

Novak Djokovic emphatically proved he deserved his new world number one ranking with victory over Spaniard Rafael Nadal in Sunday's Wimbledon final.

The 24-year-old Serbian defeated the defending champion 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3 to chalk up his 50th win in 51 matches this year.

Here's what the newspapers have had to say about his third Grand Slam triumph, after two Australian Open victories.

THE SUN

Novak power show stuns world

"The Spanish ace was not at his devastating best here. But you have to hand it to Serb star Djokovic as he was deservedly crowned king of SW19 for the first time. He did not allow Nadal to dominate. The new world No 1 was, particularly in the first two sets, simply out of this world. The power and quality of his hitting sent shockwaves through the tennis world. Nadal, typically, threw everything at him but Djokovic just hit back even harder." Steven Howard

THE GUARDIAN

Djokovic rides crest of a new wave

"The Serb took nearly two and a half hours to inflict the first defeat on Nadal here in four years and 20 matches. It might be the start of a new era, although the Spaniard will not step aside without a fight. It was not the old Rafa and nor was it always the new Novak, the one who had beaten the Spaniard in four finals this year and who has taken the No1 ranking off him, breaking the seven-year hegemony at the top of Nadal and Roger Federer." Kevin Mitchell

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

Djokovic ends Serbia's days as pariah state

"Serbian president Boris Tadic [in the Royal Box] alternately gasped, cheered and waved his fists with a most unstatesmanlike abandon. Tadic's accomplice for the day was His Excellency Dr Dejan Popovic, Belgrade's ambassador in London. But both of them knew that in the shape of Djokovic, prostrate on the turf after 2½ hours of controlled genius with a racket, Serbia had the most effective representative it could ask for. Then came perhaps the most spontaneous gesture of the afternoon, as [Novak's] father Srdjan led Wimbledon's Serbian contingent in a Balkan jig outside the court." Oliver Brown

DAILY MIRROR

Shake and Vak - ruthless Djokovic shocks Nadal and raises the bar in men's tennis

"During a sublime second set, Djokovic came close to humiliating Nadal with the power and athleticism of his all-action game. Nadal, a force of nature on the tennis court, was out-played at his own game. So used to physically intimidating and overpowering opponents, he suffered the unnerving experience of seeing his best shots fly back past him for winners. Even his fearsome forehand buckled under the pressure." Neil McLeman

THE INDEPENDENT

Djokovic seals his place at the head of new world order

"We knew Djokovic could beat anyone on hard courts and he had twice toppled Nadal, the king of clay, on his favourite territory, but this was glorious confirmation that he is a man for all seasons and all surfaces. Nadal won 14 of his first 18 matches against Djokovic, but this was the Serb's fifth successive victory this year over the Spaniard, all of them in finals." Paul Newman

DAILY MAIL

Novak rules supreme! Super Serb serves up a treat to dethrone Nadal

"At times this was reminiscent of May's Italian Open final when, for the first time in years on clay, Nadal looked completely bewildered by an opponent. Sunday's triumph, however, had its roots in December's Davis Cup final, when Djokovic led his country to victory against France and emerged with confidence supercharged for 2011." Mike Dickson

THE TIMES

Djokovic on top of the world (subscription required)

"Although The Times has learnt that Nadal had a hairline fracture in the left foot that he hurt against Juan Martin del Potro and may not play for six weeks, he put up no excuses for his defeat, his third in five Wimbledon finals. Nadal added that fathoming out a plan to beat Djokovic is now his priority. A lot of people do not get Djokovic. They are put off by the fire in his eyes, the thumping of the chest, the ferociousness of his competitive spirit, the spontaneously combustive nature of his personality. It is a bit like those who do not want to like Andy Murray because he is Scottish." Neil Harman

DAILY EXPRESS

Rafael Nadal has found his nemesis

"The Mallorcan superman had met his kryptonite. Where Andy Murray faded away after a set in the semi-final, Djokovic kept applying the pressure. Nadal rallied in champion's style in taking the third set but Djokovic just kept on coming. He was a deserved winner but, in defeat as much as victory, Nadal's reputation grows." Neil Squires

NEW YORK TIMES

Nadal finds out just how his opponents have felt

"Nadal, a two-time champion, was beaten by someone who took his playbook and executed it better. Djokovic, who was winless in five previous Grand Slam matches against Nadal, retrieved nearly every ball that came his way, forcing Nadal to hit one or two or three shots after striking what would have been a clean winner against anybody else." Karen Crouse

SERBIAN PRESS

Popular daily Blic called Djokovic's victory "Kingly!" and quoted Serbian president Boris Tadic, who watched the game from the Royal Box, as saying: "[I] almost died while watching the game. I would immediately hand over my duties to Novak."

Sports daily Sportski zurnal named Djokovic the "Duke of Wimbledon" and stated that the "scenario was more than deserved".

Politika published mocked up pictures of a Serbian national currency banknote valued at 2011 dinars with Djokovic's face on the front.

Daily Vecernje novosti reported on the celebrations in capital city Belgrade and across the nation and hailed Djokovic as "a balm for all our wounds".