"A opportunity missed."

That's how Roger Federer described his epic five-set defeat to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon on Sunday.

The Swiss number two seed had two Championship points on his own serve in the fifth set to capture his 21st grand-slam and ninth Wimbledon crown, only to see Djokovic silent the crowd to break serve and go on to retain the trophy in a little under five hours.

Federer fell to his fierce rival in a Championship tie-break at the All England Club with a final scoreline of 7-6 (5) 1-6 7-6 (4) 4-6 13-12 (3).

Turning 38 next month, the former world number 1 defies his age, but he will know this may have been the best chance for him to stride ahead of Rafael Nadal and Djokovic in the career grand-slam which remains on 20.

"I don't know what I feel right now," he said.

"I just feel like it's such an incredible opportunity missed.

"I can't believe it."

Wandsworth Times:

It wasn't to be third time lucky for Federer as this final defeat was the third inflicted by Djokovic in six years after losses in 2014 and 2015.

The wasted chances drew similarities to other grand slam matches between the pair, notably the US Open where Djokovic saved two match on his way to victory in New York on two occasions.

The loss hurts, Federer admitted that, but similar to the 'greatest game of all time,' the 2008 defeat to Nadal, the Swiss is adament he can come back.

"Similar to '08 maybe, I will look back at it and think, 'Well, it's not that bad after all'.

"For now it hurts, and it should, like every loss does here at Wimbledon.

"I think it's a mindset.

"I'm very strong at being able to move on because I don't want to be depressed about actually an amazing tennis match."