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Staggering detail in photo of Novak Djokovic after Wimbledon final

Novak Djokovic, pictured here after winning his seventh Wimbledon title.
Novak Djokovic poses with the trophy in front of the Wimbledon honours board. Image: Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic's Wimbledon triumph has continued an extraordinary run of dominance for the 'Big 4' at the All England Club.

In clinching his fourth-consecutive Wimbledon title and 21st overall major on Sunday, the Serbian star made it 20 years since someone not named Djokovic, Federer, Nadal or Murray has won the grass-court grand slam.

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You have to go back to 2002 when Lleyton Hewitt won the second of his two grand slam titles to find the last name on the Wimbledon honours board that isn't part of the 'Big 4'.

Roger Federer started the trend when he beat Mark Philippoussis in the final in 2003 for the first of his 20 grand slam titles.

It was the first of five-consecutive Wimbledon titles for the Swiss maestro before Rafa Nadal got in on the act in 2008.

Federer and Nadal then traded Wimbledon titles in 2009 and 2010, before Djokovic won the first of his seven SW19 crowns in 2011.

Andy Murray broke up the dominance of the 'Big 3' when he won his home major in 2013 and 2016, which bookended two more titles for Djokovic in 2014 and 2015.

And after Federer claimed the last of his record eight Wimbledon crowns in 2017, Djokovic has been unbeatable with four on the trot.

Across all four majors, the 'Big 4' have won a ridiculous 62 out of the last 69 grand slam singles titles on offer.

Only Daniil Medvedev, Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka (3), Marin Cilic and Juan Martin del Potro have managed to break through for grand slam glory during that period.

Novak Djokovic not going anywhere after 21st major title

Djokovic defied a fierce early barrage and 30 aces from Kyrgios to see off the Aussie challenger and clinch a 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-3) victory in Sunday's final.

"I'm lost words for what this tournament, what this trophy means to me, to my team and my family," Djokovic said after claiming the trophy once again.

"I've said this many times - it always has been and will be my most special tournament in my heart, the one that motivated me and inspired me to start playing tennis in a small, little mountain resort in Serbia.

"My parents used to run the restaurant and I was four-and-a-half, five years old and I saw Pete Sampras win his first Wimbledon in 1993 and I asked my mum and dad to buy me a racquet and my first image of tennis was grass and Wimbledon.

Novak Djokovic, pictured here celebrating after his win over Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final.
Novak Djokovic celebrates after his win over Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final. (Photo by Frey/TPN/Getty Images) (Frey/TPN via Getty Images)

"I always dreamed of coming here, just playing in this court and then of course realising this childhood dream and winning this trophy.

"Every single time it gets more and more meaningful so I am very blessed and grateful."

His last three sets against Kyrgios were rated by John McEnroe as the best he'd seen him play at SW19.

"It's a relief, considering what I've been through this year. It adds more value and more significance and more emotions," said Djokovic.

Coach Goran Ivanisevic, champion at the All England Club in 2001, always knew he would fight back, saying: "People like him you don't doubt. He's a great champion."

And after his triumph put him just one grand slam title behind Nadal in the 'GOAT' race, Djokovic had an ominous message for his younger pursuers.

"I don't feel I'm in rush really anywhere to end my career in a year or two year time or whatever it is," he admitted.

with AAP

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