15 years later, Novak Djokovic keen to 'mess up the plans' again

The date is Sept. 11, 2010. It's the U.S. Open semifinal, pitting five-time champion Roger Federer against the upstart Novak Djokovic. 

The tennis world is eagerly anticipating yet another Federer versus Rafael Nadal championship showdown, after the latter already locked up his berth in the finals. Media members and fans were openly rooting for Federer — simply because they could further romanticize the rivalry that had carried the sport for the previous four years.

Federer all but answered the bell when he had two match points in the fifth set, only for Djokovic to produce three scorching winners to stay alive. The Serbian was at a loss for words after the biggest win of his career.

"It's hard to describe my feelings right now," he said, via The Guardian. "Ten minutes ago, I was a point from losing this match, and I managed to come back. I was just closing my eyes and hitting my forehand as hard as I can."

That day, Djokovic became "a villain" among the rabid Federer fan base, and everyone who wished to see another Federer versus Nadal final.