Novak Djokovic’s lucky number 13 marks a new beginning for the enigmatic Serbian.

While 2017 was all about Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s renaissance, this year’s Wimbledon will go down as Novak’s new beginning.

The 31-year-old is back in business and, in a final that few people (if any) saw coming, it was a joy to witness.

Tournament build-up salivated at the prospect of a Federer-Nadal showdown and that remained the case going into the second week at Wimbledon.

However, Djokovic, a three-time winner heading into Sunday's final, and surprise finalist Anderson had other ideas.

Djokovic and Anderson: Before the final

Novak was looking menacingly intent on making that four. It was evident in last Saturday’s win over Kyle Edmund, but more so in the semi-final defeat of Nadal.

Meanwhile, Anderson was the giant who slayed the GOAT, sending Federer packing in the last eight after a 13-11 final-set win.

A six-and-a-half hour marathon against John Isner followed, meaning the South African was forced to dispel fears that eleven hours of tennis over two days would catch up to him.

How Djokovic beat Anderson

In the baking Centre Court conditions, the fear that 6’8” Anderson could wilt came to fruition, with a double fault handing Djokovic a break in the first game of the first set.

Anderson was a one-time losing Grand Slam finalist heading into Sunday’s match, while Djokovic – a 12-time major winner – was playing his 22nd final. That experience was telling.

After the earliest and easiest of breaks, Djokovic twisted the knife in with a second, wrapping up the first set in just 29 minutes. Fears of a non-contest were growing.

Anderson’s greatest weapon had been nullified, with the 32-year-old adding just two aces to his tournament total of 172 in the first set.

The second set had that same inevitable feel to it when Anderson dropped serve again in the opening game, and an identical pattern was followed when Djokovic broke in the fifth.

Anderson was growing into the game, just as support for the number eight seed was mounting, but desire to witness a hotly-contested final ebbed away as Djokovic wrapped up the second set.

Fortunately, the third set didn't follow suit and the mind cast back to Anderson’s quarter-final with Federer, where he recovered from two sets down to win in five.

An ever-improving Anderson brought up five set points on his opponent’s serve, but a seemingly weary Djokovic rallied to force a tie-break, where he closed the door once and for all.

A serene passing shot handed him the first mini-break, while he moved 4-1 clear after forcing 32-year-old Anderson to go long.

Then; game, set, match, and championship, with Djokovic lifting the 13th Grand Slam of his career two years after his last.

What we learned from Djokovic's win

There was little to take from the actual 140-minute final. Montages will feature Djokovic looking up to the heavens and roaring before patting the turf and taking a bite

In truth, it was the duo’s path to the final which proved far more remarkable., with Anderson defying the odds to feature in Sunday's showpiece occasion.

What next for Djokovic and Anderson?

The big server must forget the pain of a straight-sets defeat and channel the positives from his encounters as he recovers and looks towards the hard-court season.

For Djokovic, the wind is now in his sails. He'll be fancied to take a 14th Grand Slam title home at next month’s US Open, but that feels like the distant future for now.

After spending months of fighting back to the top, Djokovic is once more the strawberries and cream of the crop.

A fourth Wimbledon has marked his return to form in some style – Roger, Rafa, and the rest, will have watched on in fear that this is the second start of something special.

What did YOU make of Djokovic's win over Anderson? Do YOU think Djokovic can now remain at the top of tennis for a sustained period of time? Have YOUR say in the comments box below!