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Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are among the most successful tennis players of the Open Era. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

In a battle of tennis legends, Novak Djokovic prevailed over Roger Federer in a memorable five-set match Sunday to capture his fifth Wimbledon title. The world No. 1 won the first fifth-set tiebreaker in a Wimbledon men's final and repeated as champion, 7-6 (5), 1-6, 7-6 (4), 4-6, 13-12 (3).

"It's quite unreal," Djokovic said after the match, which came after the new tie-break at 12-12.

"If not the most exciting and thrilling finals of my career — in the top two or three and against the greatest player of all-time," Djokovic said.

The Serbian star faced a pivotal situation in the fifth set after Federer broke his serve to lead 8-7. Down 40-15 in a double-championship point, Djokovic somehow took it to Deuce and would win the game to tie the set. Djokovic became the first male player since 1948 to save championship points in the final and then win the match.

On championship point, Federer's return was well off the mark to give Djokovic the victory.

In a match that last four hours and 57 minutes — the longest in Wimbledon history — Djokovic served up 10 aces, while Federer had 25. Djokovic finished with 54 winners and 52 unforced errors, compared to Federer's 94 winners — a Grand Slam record — and 61 unforced errors.

It was heartbreak for Federer, as the Swiss great was seeking to become the oldest Grand Slam champion of the Open era.

"I feel great, I gave it all I had,” Federer said. "I’m still standing. I’ll take some time to recover."

Djokovic, 32, now has 16 Grand Slam titles on his resume. Federer, 37, has 20 Grand Slams, while Rafael Nadal, 33, has 18.