Djokovic tastes Centre Court grass after win

London: Bjorn Borg sunk to his knees, Pat Cash clambered up the stands to hug friends and family in the players' box and Novak Djokovic celebrated his first Wimbledon triumph on Sunday by chewing grass.

That is grass he uprooted from Centre Court.

Moments after watching Rafa Nadal's backhand sail long, Djokovic collapsed on to his back as 15,000 fans rose to their feet to salute Serbia's first Wimbledon singles champion.

For the next minute, Djokovic's victory celebrations followed a pattern seen many times before on the most famous stage in tennis.

He held his arms aloft and tested the limits of his lungs with a long roar into a corner.

As Serbian president Boris Tadic leapt off his seat in the Royal Box and punched the air in delight, Djokovic crouched down, inspected the worn out grass court in front of him.

Then in a scene never before witnessed at Wimbledon, he tore up a tuft of grass and popped it into his mouth, savouring the taste of his triumph.

"I felt like an animal. I wanted to see how it tastes. It tastes good," grinned Djokovic, who is fast gaining a reputation for unusual celebrations after shaving his hair off on court following Serbia's Davis Cup triumph last December.

"It came spontaneously really. I didn't plan to do it. You know, I didn't know what to do for my excitement and joy."

With that one swift action, he had now used all five of his senses to enjoy his victory.

The hollering fans made sure Djokovic could hear his triumph.

He could see and touch his success, thanks to the gilded Challenge Cup that was finally in his possession.

But that was not enough for Djokovic, who also wanted to smell and taste "the most special day" of his life.

"It's really hard to describe this in words. It's the best day of my life; it's the most special day of my life," Djokovic, hugging the trophy tightly to his chest, said following his 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 win over the man he will leapfrog as world number one on Monday.

"This is what I'm born for. It's just an incredible feeling that I'm never going to forget.

"This is my favourite tournament, the tournament I always dreamed of winning. The first tennis tournament I ever watched in my life and I think I'm still sleeping and dreaming."

The sweet taste of success and the sight of his emotional friends and family hugging and dancing in the players' box will ensure this is no dream for Djokovic.