The Mutua Madrid Open has crowned its new champion. Novak Djokovic clinched his second trophy in a passionate final against Andy Murray in three sets, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in a two hour match. It is the Serb’s 64th title, meaning he has now levelled Sampras and Borg. “It’s obviously very flattering to be alongside such legends of the sport, tennis players that I was looking up to, especially Pete Sampras. It’s an achievement that I’m very proud of. It’s extra motivation”, commented the champion in the press conference.
“I started very well and played terrific tennis in the first set”, said the Serb of the first part of the match, in which he dominated his opponent. “After a couple of close games in the second set I made some unforced errors and double faults in the game when I dropped my serve. I couldn’t get back”, he said of the second set, in which Murray levelled the match.
In the third, the best two players in the world managed to break each other’s serves several times. “When it seemed like I was closing out the match and with a match point at 5-2, he came up with some big serves again. In the last game I got myself out of some trouble with some good serves, with some good forehands, but it was very, very close. Of course I did not want to let that service game go because I know that Andy will capitalize on his opportunities and start to play better if he broke my serve. I fought very hard, and I’m just glad that I managed to finish that game”, added Nole of the final set, in which he proclaimed himself champion.
Djokovic said that the victory came at the “right time”. Just before the year’s second grand slam, Roland Garros. “I had an amazing opening four months of the season. I came here early, got used to the conditions, and played a really fantastic tournament that will definitely serve as a great confidence boost”, he added.
The new Mutua Madrid Open champion was thankful to the organisers of the tournament, where he said he felt at home. “I haven’t played Madrid since 2013, so three years. I’ve had a great welcome and great reception from all the people in this tournament. I enjoyed my time spent in Madrid. I think that this tournament definitely sets up a high standard of organization. They are trying to make all the players feel comfortable and motivated to play their best tennis”, said the world number 1, whose sights will now be set on the next stop on the ATP tour, Rome.
