Murray wins ATP World Tour Finals to stay world number one

Going into the final, Murray was protecting a three-month unbeaten run, a streak that helped eclipse Djokovic at the top of the rankings and now stands at a career-best 24 wins, with fanatical zeal. This one was a big match and I managed to get over the line, even though it was tough at the end. He also reached the Australian Open and French Open finals, losing to Djokovic on both occasions, but won his second straight Olympic gold medal in singles at the Rio de Janeiro Games after claiming his second Wimbledon title.

There were fears that fatigue would set in for Murray, on the back of two gruelling games against Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic that had spanned seven hours between them.

Djokovic had no complaints and admitted he had been well below his best in a lethargic performance that included 30 unforced errors.

Murray beat Djokovic, his nemesis for pretty much his entire career, 6-3, 6-4 to stamp his authority on his greatest rival and crown what has been a fantastic 2016.

“We’ve played in all of the Slam finals, Olympics, obviously here now, and a match to finish the year number one”.

“My team have been around a long time, and my family have been there from the very start and made lots of sacrifices so I thank them”. No one could have fathomed he wouldn’t at least finish the year atop the rankings.

Despite winning the opening two Grand Slam tournaments this year, Djokovic has struggled in the second half of the season.

A five-time champion at this event, Djokovic steamrolled Nishikori in only 66 minutes in the Serbian’s bid to wind up No. 1 for the third consecutive year and fifth time overall.

Nevertheless, he did not sound downhearted. Djokovic said, “No, I did not feel threatened”.

Djokovic, who will doubtless go down in history as one of the game’s greats, has been known to be an all-court, all-shot player – but today he sent some routine shots long, wide and played uncharacteristically sloppy tennis in patches today.

Andy Murray, who was criticised for climbing to the No. 1 spot without facing the top-ranked players, gave a stiffing reply to his critics by ending the 2016 season as ATP World No. 1 player. I’m obviously exhausted just now because it was a really hard match. “But maybe in the important moments I was just a little bit more solid, and maybe had that extra little bit of confidence, which in the past when we played each other maybe he’s had”.