Wimbledon 2011: Novak Djokovic v Rafael Nadal - in pictures

The notable line from Rudyard Kipling's poem, If, marks the entrance to Centre Court. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will shortly pass underneath it as they step onto court for their men's singles final ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

If Djokovic can sustain the momentum he has built in the past 12 months the trophy could become his; the Serbian has lost only once in his past 50 matches and has beaten Nadal in their past four meetings this year. But if Nadal can display the skill and resolve which has already earned him 10 grand slam titles at the age of just 25, the Spaniard will fancy his chances of retaining his title Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Centre Court is packed for the occasion Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The dignitaries include John Major, Alex Salmond, Rory McIlroy, Jenson Button and his girlfriend Jessica Michibata Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Now those guys know a thing or two about winning at Wimbledon. Bjorn Borg, on the right, amassed five successive titles between 1976 and 1980 while John Newcombe, on the left, won three between 1967 and 1971 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Djokovic opens the match by holding serve - the early exchanges suggest this could be a titanic battle from the baselines Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Both men look increasingly self-assured on serve as the set progresses. Djokovic holds the fifth game to love Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

With the score at 5-4 in Djokovic's favour, Nadal takes a 30-0 lead on serve in the tenth game. Djokovic attacks the next two points with his forehand and produces some stunning shots to draw level at 30-30 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Dangerous times for the world No1, who will lose his ranking to Djokovic regardless of the result Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Two uncharacteristic errors from Nadal hand the first set to Djokovic. First Nadal crashes a forehand into the net and then, on set point, he sends another one wide. Where were all these mistakes against Andy Murray, eh? No wonder Djokovic looks ecstatic - he's suddenly in control of this contest Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Djokovic almost falters at the start of the second set, going down 0-30 on his serve, but he eventually holds ... the 24-year-old then breaks Rafa as the Spaniard commits more unforced errors. That's seven needless mistakes already from the reigning champ Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The Serbian's confidence is soaring - and his tennis is hitting new heights too. Be it from the baseline or at the net, Nadal simply can't compete with his opponent right now Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Djokovic breaks again in the fifth game Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

... and duly sews up the second set 6-1 with a game to love. Immaculate tennis Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Djokovic's entourage have been going berserk all through this match - and frankly they've every reason to Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Early in the third set, Nadal finally manages to disrupt his opponent. He earns a break point in game two and takes it when Djokovic smacks a backhand into the net Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

What a turn around this is proving to be. Suddenly Djokovic's forehand is deserting him and Nadal is winning everything from the baseline. A double-fault from Djokovic hands Nadal the sixth game and, soon after, the set. It's now 6-4, 6-1, 1-6 in Djokovic's favour, but Nadal is on the charge. Can he become the first man in more than three-quarters of a century to win a Wimbledon final from two sets down? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Djokovic breaks again early in the fourth set, but then drops his own serve. He has overcome his third set wobble, however, and breaks Nadal again to make it 5-3 ... Djokovic is now serving for the match Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Djokovic converts his second match point to become Wimbledon champion for the first time in his career Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

He looks to the skies with a mixture of gratitude and disbelief ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

... and then crouches down and tastes the Wimbledon grass. Strange behaviour, but when you're the Wimbledon champ you can get away with that sort of behaviour Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Nadal congratulates his adversary. He must know he's been well beaten today Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Djokovic lifts the precious trophy Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The crowd capture the moment Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Nadal looks pretty glum holding the runner-up's shield. It's the first time he's lost a Grand Slam final to anyone other than Roger Federer Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

This may be Djokovic's third grand slam title, but, as he told Sue Barker after the match, this was the one he was always most desperate to win. And he's not the only one who's thrilled with the achievement Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian