MADRID (AP) — Halos isang dekada nang nagsasanga ang landas nina Novak Djokovic at Andy Murray bilang tennis protégé.

Sa pagkakataong ito, naisalansan ni Djokovic ang makasaysayang ika-29 career Masters title matapos gapiin ang British superstar, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, sa Madrid Open nitong Linggo (Lunes sa Manila).

“Ten years (later) we are the two best players in the world, which at that time maybe it seemed like something that will be very challenging for us to achieve,” pahayag ng 28-anyos na si Djokovic, tungkol sa kanilang unang pagtatagpo ni Murray sa quarterfinals dito noong 2006.

“But we both thrived to be at the top, and we’ve known each other since we were 12. I think you can see already in those junior days that both of us have serious intentions to conquer the tennis world,” aniya.

Nagawang ma-save ni Djokovic ang pitong break point sa final game at nakumpleto ang panalo sa third match point para agawan ng titulo si Murray at makalapit ng isang panalo para lagpasan ang record ni Rafael Nadal sa Masters.

Bunsod ng kabiguan, nalaglag si Murray sa No. 3 sa world ranking nitong Lunes kung saan malalagpasan siya ni Roger Federer, ikatlo sa may pinakamaraming Masters title na 24.

“I’m very pleased that I have developed a great rivalry with somebody that I’ve known since very long time and somebody that I have a very good and friendly relationship with on and off the court,” ayon kay Djokovic.

Ito ang ikalawang titulo ni Djokovic sa Madrid at ikalima ngayong season. Umabot sa 33 ang kanyang panalo sa international tourney ngayong taon.

“It’s obviously very flattering to be alongside such legends of the sport, tennis players that I was looking up to.

It’s an achievement that I’m very proud of,” pahayag ni Djokovic.