LONDON – Andy Murray has clinched year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, the 17th different player to do so in history (since 1973). The milestone was achieved in dramatic fashion on Sunday when he beat his rival for top spot, Novak Djokovic, 6-3, 6-4 in the title match of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 in London. It was the first time in history that the year-end No. 1 ranking was on the line for both players in the final ATP World Tour match of the season.
It was also the first time since Lisbon in 2000 that the year-end No. 1 ranking was decided in the final. That year, Brazil’s Gustavo Kuerten defeated Andre Agassi of the United States in the final to finish No. 1 ahead of Russia’s Marat Safin.
The 29-year-old Briton, who replaced Serbia’s Djokovic at No. 1 on 7 November, has enjoyed a career-best season capturing nine titles – including Wimbledon, three ATP World Tour Masters 1000s and the Olympic gold medal – from 13 tour-level finals. It is the 13th straight season that the year-end World No. 1 ranking has been held by a member of the ‘Big Four’ – Roger Federer (2004-07, ’09), Rafael Nadal (2008, ‘10, ‘13), Djokovic (2011-12, ’14-15) or Murray (2016).
“It’s a very special day, playing against Novak in a match like this,” said Murray. “We’ve played in Grand Slam finals, Olympics and matches like this – it’s been a tough rivalry. I’ve lost many of them, but I am happy to have got the win today to clinch the year-end No. 1. It’s very special, it’s something that I never expected. My team and family have been a great help, making a lot of sacrifices for me and my tennis. I’d like to congratulate Novak on everything he has achieved this year.”
Chris Kermode, the ATP Executive Chairman and President, said, “What an amazing finish to the ATP World Tour season. To have the Top 2 players in the world battling it out for the No. 1 ranking in the final match of the year is unprecedented. Huge credit goes to both players for their phenomenal seasons, and congratulations to Andy on not only winning the season finale, but finishing as year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings for the first time. He joins an elite group of players to have achieved one of the greatest triumphs in sport in finishing the season as No.1.”
Since losing to Djokovic in the Mutua Madrid Open final on 8 May this year, when he trailed the Serbian by 9,025 points in the Emirates ATP Rankings, Murray has compiled a 58-4 match record. During his remarkable run, Murray has lifted trophies at Wimbledon (d. Raonic), three ATP World Tour Masters 1000s at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia (d. Djokovic), Shanghai Rolex Masters (d. Bautista Agut) and the BNP Paribas Masters (d. Isner), three ATP World Tour 500s at the Aegon Championships in London (d. Raonic), China Open in Beijing (d. Dimitrov) and the Erste Bank Open 500 in Vienna (d. Tsonga). He also the Rio Olympics gold medal (d. del Potro), and finished runner-up at Roland Garros (l. to Djokovic) and the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati (l. to Cilic).
Murray, who has won 44 titles – including 14 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns, is currently riding a career-best 24-match winning streak dating back to 16 September 2016. He has a 78-9 match record in 2016, which includes a 16-5 record against Top 10 opponents. On Sunday, Murray secured his fifth successive trophy and his first title at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
Earlier this week, Andy’s older brother, Jamie Murray, was crowned year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Doubles Team Rankings with Brazil’s Bruno Soares. It is the first time in the history of the official rankings that two brothers have finished year-end No. 1 in singles and doubles in the same season.
ATP WORLD TOUR YEAR-END NO. 1 PRESENTED BY EMIRATES
Year Player
2016 Andy Murray (Great Britain)
2015 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
2014 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
2013 Rafael Nadal (Spain)
2012 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
2011 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
2010 Rafael Nadal (Spain)
2009 Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2008 Rafael Nadal (Spain)
2007 Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2006 Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2005 Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2004 Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2003 Andy Roddick (U.S.)
2002 Lleyton Hewitt (Australia)
2001 Lleyton Hewitt (Australia)
2000 Gustavo Kuerten (Brazil)
1999 Andre Agassi (U.S.)
1998 Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1997 Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1996 Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1995 Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1994 Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1993 Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1992 Jim Courier (U.S.)
1991 Stefan Edberg (Sweden)
1990 Stefan Edberg (Sweden)
1989 Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)
1988 Mats Wilander (Sweden)
1987 Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)
1986 Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)
1985 Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)
1984 John McEnroe (U.S.)
1983 John McEnroe (U.S.)
1982 John McEnroe (U.S.)
1981 John McEnroe (U.S.)
1980 Bjorn Borg (Sweden)
1979 Bjorn Borg (Sweden)
1978 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1977 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1976 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1975 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1974 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1973 Ilie Nastase (Romania)
Topics: 02 Arena, 10sballs.com, Andy Murray, ATP Finals, London, Men's tennis, Novak Djokovic, Sports, Tennis, World Tour Finals