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London - Proud mum Dijana Djokovic declared the start of a new era for men's tennis after her son Novak beat Rafa Nadal to win Wimbledon on Sunday but the beaten Spaniard was less sure.
"Now it's Novak-Novak, now you will see," Dijana told reporters after being asked about Roger Federer and Nadal, who have won 24 out of 29 grand slams since Wimbledon in 2004.
"It's very hard for four years to be number three. You cannot move on. Now he's done it," added Dijana.
Spectators shuffled for the best position to take her picture as jubilant Serbian fans sang "Another victory, another title, Nole you're the King and a tennis god."
There was less emotion when Nadal was asked whether his four-set loss signalled the start of a new era.
"Maybe," the 25-year-old told reporters as he fiddled with a water bottle, his plain facial expression not giving much away.
"Seriously, I lost because I am playing against the best player of the moment, the best player of the world tomorrow, and I am the second," the 10-times grand slam champion added.
"When you play against these players and they are playing unbelievably, the normal thing is to lose. That's what has happened the last few times."
Djokovic will be confirmed as world number one on Monday, deposing Nadal, but the Serb said after that after his first grand slam title at the 2008 Australian Open he had doubted his ability to win another and climb to top spot.
"I would lie to you if I didn't have doubts. I did have doubts," the 24-year-old told reporters.
"I did have difficult, crisis times where I didn't know if I could really make it, because the first two guys were so dominant."
Djokovic has now beaten Nadal in five finals this year.
