Well what do you know, after a 79-year drought, it took Andy Murray to lead the British team to clinch the Davis Cup once again!
Britain was 1-0 down after Kyle Edmund lost the opening match to Belgian David Goffin on Friday, yet they levelled the tie when Murray beat Ruben Bemelmans. The broke the tie when the Murray brothers won the doubles on Saturday.
It was a rather emotional scene for the team when they secured a 3-1 win towards their glorious triumph. Murray inspired the British team to their win after he outplayed David Goffin in a magnificent fashion over three intense sets 6-3. 7-5, 6-3 on the indoor clay court. The nerve-wrecking match lasted for as long as three hours.
28 year-old Murray shuffled his way to the Belgians who had tried very hard to defeat him along with his Great Britain team and gave Goffin a big hug in front of the boisterous crowd. He definitely brought class to the game.
“I just can’t believe we did it,” said Murray after the match.
“I never thought I would. It’s amazing. I’ve always played some of my best tennis when I play for my country.
“A massive thank you to everyone who came to watch, all of the fans, the Belgians and the Brits. David’s a great player. He is unbelievably talented. He made it a very tough match. I’d imagine we’ll have a party tonight.”
“It’s obviously an amazing feeling. You know, I imagine it will take a few days before it really sinks in. But I probably haven’t been as emotional as that after a match that I’ve won.
“I’ve been pretty upset having lost matches before. But I’d say that’s probably the most emotional I’ve been after a win. It’s incredible that we managed to win this competition. I didn’t know that would ever be possible. It’s great.”
He’s the first Briton to have secured the Wimbledon title since Fred Perry in 1936. And just like Perry did in the same year- with Belgian opponents as well, he guided the team lift the Davis Cup. History was remade.
Team captain Leon Smith claimed that “this has to be one of the best achievements of all time”.
“It’s incredible for all of us to watch how he’s managed to win that many rubbers, that many wins, especially when you look back at the tie in France and also the Australia match, obviously a lot of fatigue, managed to find a way through. It was absolutely incredible, amazing,” he added.
Murray, whom already won the Wimbledon and US Open titles, as well as an Olympic gold, has now aided Great Britain to yet another wonderful victory. What a great way to put an end to the year.
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