Novak Djokovic overlooks Roger Federer in glowing praise of rival Rafael Nadal

Djokovic beat Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(9), 3-6, 10-8 in a match which lasted over five hours to set up a Wimbledon final clash with Kevin Anderson.

Despite the two stars showing the world their undoubted talent on Centre Court, many tennis fans believe Federer is the best player of all time having won 20 Grand Slam titles.

But the Swiss star crashed out of Wimbledon in the quarter-finals after suffering a shock defeat to Anderson.

And Djokovic appears to hold Nadal in higher esteem than the All England Club’s top seed.

“It’s hard to pick the words,” Djokovic said after his dramatic win.

“I am just going through things. Flashback the last 15 months and everything I have been through to get here, to get to the finals and to win against the best player in the world.

“It is one of the longest match I’ve ever played over two days, I’m overwhelmed.

“It was very special and could have gone either way. It was very clear that very few things separated the two players.

“Until the last shot I didn’t know if I was going to win.

“I believed it but he is very close and had some chances.

“These kind of matches you live for and work for.”

Djokovic and Nadal were forced to play their tie over two days because of Wimbledon’s 11pm curfew was reached on Friday.

But the Serbian returned with his overnight lead to win over five sets.