Novak Djokovic’s First Win Over Roger Federer

By goatoftennis / In Head 2 Head, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer / February 12, 2025

Novak Djokovic’s rivalry with Roger Federer is one of the most significant in tennis history. While Federer was the undisputed king of the ATP Tour in the mid-2000s, Djokovic emerged as a young, fearless competitor eager to challenge the sport’s best. His first victory over Federer came in the 2007 Canadian Open (Rogers Cup) final, where he stunned the Swiss maestro 7-6(2), 2-6, 7-6(2). This breakthrough win signaled the arrival of a new force in men’s tennis. Let’s analyze the key elements of this match and how Djokovic managed to topple the world’s best player.

Match Overview

Tournament: Canadian Open (Rogers Cup, ATP Masters 1000)
Round: Final
Date: August 12, 2007
Surface: Hard Court
Final Score: Novak Djokovic def. Roger Federer 7-6(2), 2-6, 7-6(2)

Tactical Breakdown

1. Djokovic’s Confidence and Mental Strength

One of the biggest reasons for Djokovic’s success in this match was his belief that he could compete with Federer, who was then ranked No. 1 in the world and considered nearly invincible. Djokovic had already beaten Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal in the previous rounds, proving his confidence was sky-high. Against Federer, he:

Showed no signs of intimidation, even in tight moments.
Remained composed during key pressure points, particularly in both tiebreaks.
Displayed early signs of the mental resilience that would define his career.

2. Effective Return Game

Federer’s serve was one of the most effective weapons in his arsenal, but Djokovic, already known for his return skills, managed to neutralize it. His approach included:

Standing closer to the baseline to take time away from Federer.
Reading Federer’s serve patterns and anticipating key placements.
Redirecting Federer’s serves deep, preventing him from finishing points quickly.

Djokovic’s ability to return well forced Federer into longer rallies, which disrupted his natural attacking rhythm.

3. Controlled Aggression from the Baseline

While Federer was known for his fluid shot-making and attacking play, Djokovic refused to be pushed around from the baseline. He:

Used deep, consistent hitting to prevent Federer from easily stepping into the court.
Mixed in sharp angles to move Federer side to side.
Attacked Federer’s backhand, a strategy that would become a recurring theme in their future battles.

By maintaining offensive positioning, Djokovic prevented Federer from dictating play as easily as he was accustomed to.

4. Clutch Performance in Tiebreaks

Djokovic’s ability to perform in high-pressure moments was crucial in this match. Both sets he won came in tiebreaks, and his execution was near flawless:

In the first-set tiebreak, he dominated with aggressive shot-making, taking control early and never looking back.
In the deciding set tiebreak, Djokovic stayed solid while Federer made uncharacteristic errors, leading to one of the biggest wins of his career at that time.

Winning both tiebreaks against a player of Federer’s caliber was a testament to Djokovic’s growing confidence and composure.

The Aftermath and Legacy of the Match

Djokovic’s win over Federer in the 2007 Canadian Open final was more than just a Masters 1000 title; it was a defining moment in his career. It showed the world that he was ready to challenge the Federer-Nadal duopoly and usher in a new era in tennis.

This match also marked the beginning of what would become one of the sport’s greatest rivalries. Over the years, Djokovic would go on to develop a winning head-to-head record against Federer, but it all started with this first crucial victory.

Djokovic Wins 2007 Canadian Open Rogers Cup

Conclusion

Novak Djokovic’s first victory over Roger Federer at the 2007 Canadian Open was a significant moment in tennis history. His tactical execution, fearless mentality, and ability to rise to the occasion in pressure moments were key factors in his breakthrough win. Looking back, this match foreshadowed Djokovic’s eventual dominance in the sport and proved that he had the skills to compete with, and defeat, the very best. It was the first chapter of an epic rivalry that would shape the future of tennis.

Tags: 2007, Djokovic, Federer, Final, First Win, Hard, Masters 1000, Novak, Roger, Rogers Cup

Facts about the history of tennis

1. Tennis Traces Its Roots to the 12th Century

The origins of tennis date back to 12th-century France, where monks played a game called jeu de paume (game of the palm). Instead of rackets, they used their hands to hit the ball against walls or over a rope. Over time, wooden paddles were introduced, evolving into the modern racket.

2. The Word “Tennis” Comes from French

The term “tennis” originates from the French word tenez, meaning “take” or “receive.” It was commonly shouted by players before serving the ball in jeu de paume, much like today’s “Let’s go!” or “Play!” in modern tennis matches.

3. Wimbledon Is the Oldest Tennis Tournament

Established in 1877, Wimbledon is the world’s oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament. It was originally played at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club with only 22 male participants. Women’s singles and doubles were introduced later, in 1884.

4. The First Tennis Balls Were Made of Wood

Before the modern rubberized tennis balls, early versions were made of solid wood or leather stuffed with hair or wool. In the 19th century, Charles Goodyear’s discovery of vulcanized rubber revolutionized the game, leading to the bouncy balls we use today.

5. The Grand Slam Term Came from Bridge, Not Tennis

The term “Grand Slam” originally came from the card game bridge, where it referred to winning all possible tricks in a hand. It was later adopted in the 1930s to describe winning all four major tennis tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open) in a single year.

6. The First Women’s Tennis Star Was Suzanne Lenglen

French tennis legend Suzanne Lenglen dominated women’s tennis in the 1920s, winning six Wimbledon titles. She was known for her flamboyant style, graceful play, and for breaking societal norms by wearing knee-length dresses instead of the traditional ankle-length attire.

7. Tennis Was Originally an Olympic Sport, Then Got Dropped

Tennis was part of the first modern Olympics in 1896 but was removed from the Games in 1924 due to disputes over amateurism. It took 64 years for tennis to return as an official Olympic sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

8. The Open Era Changed Tennis Forever

Before 1968, professional players were banned from competing in Grand Slam tournaments. The introduction of the Open Era allowed both amateurs and professionals to compete together, paving the way for stars like Rod Laver, Björn Borg, and Serena Williams.

9. The Longest Tennis Match Lasted Over 11 Hours

At Wimbledon 2010, John Isner and Nicolas Mahut played the longest match in tennis history, lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days. The final set alone took 8 hours and 11 minutes, with Isner winning 70-68. This epic battle led to rule changes introducing final-set tiebreaks at major tournaments.

10. The Fastest Recorded Serve Exceeded 263 km/h

Australian player Sam Groth holds the record for the fastest tennis serve, clocking in at 263.4 km/h (163.7 mph) during a Challenger match in 2012. In the women’s game, the fastest serve belongs to Sabine Lisicki at 210.8 km/h (131.0 mph).

Novak Djokovic’s First Win Over Roger Federer