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Andy Murray captured the year-ending World No. 1 ranking by sweeping Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday in the championship match of the World ATP Finals in London. The victory gives Murray his first season-ending ATP No. 1 ranking and came in a match in which both participants were aware that the winner would finish No. 1 and the loser would be No. 2.
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"It means a lot, obviously. It's something I genuinely never expected to do," Murray said in a post-match interview. "I've never been close to doing it before and it just kind of happened. These last four or five months, I haven't lost any matches. Just kept getting momentum and it gave me motivation toward the end of the year when I was tired."
Murray went 78-9 and won nine titles this season, including the Wimbledon crown. The victory over Djokovic means he ends the year with a 24-match winning streak.
Landing the No. 1 ranking in the winner-take-all affair against Djokovic made it feel like a big occasion for Murray.
"Obviously, a very special day, just playing against Novak in a match like this," Murray said. "We've played Grand Slam finals, Olympics and other matches like this.
"It's been a tough rivalry. I've lost many of them. Obviously, I'm happy I managed to get the win today, and to finish the year No. 1 is something that is very special. It's just something I never expected."
Djokovic had a 122-week reign as World No. 1 ended by Murray earlier this month, and the Serbian fell behind early on Sunday and couldn't recover.
Murray cruised through the first set and held a 4-1 lead in the second before Djokovic mounted a comeback. He got within 5-4 and fought off two match points before he hit a shot wide to give Murray the match.
"Novak made a few more mistakes than usual, especially early in the match," Murray said. "Second set, I got off to a big start and he came back at me and I just fought to the end."
Djokovic was disappointed with finishing No. 2 but he had no qualms with Murray's performance.
"Andy is definitely No. 1 in the world," Djokovic said afterward. "He's the best player. He deserved to win. He just played better tennis and in decisive moments I just wasn't able to come back.
"I started playing a bit better toward the end of the match but it was a bit too late."
Djokovic went 3-2 against Murray this season, including victories in the Australian and French Open finals.
Murray's victory in London was just his 11th in 35 matches against Djokovic.
He remains in awe of Djokovic's success despite the results of Sunday's final.
"Congrats to Novak on everything he has achieved this year," Murray said. "To hold all four Grand Slam (titles) at once like he did earlier this year is an incredible achievement. Very, very special and something I don't think we will see for a long time in this sport."
Hearing World No. 1 attached to his name felt surreal to Murray minutes after the victory.
"I've never been close to doing it before and it just kind of happened," Murray said.
