Novak Djokovic says he “cannot be happier” after overcoming an ankle injury to end Rafael Nadal’s eight-year dominance at the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday.
The Serbian world number one defeated Nadal 6-2 7-6 (7-1) in Sunday’s decider to ensure the Spaniard continue clinch a ninth consecutive title in Monaco.
“I cannot be happier than I am in this moment knowing what I’ve been through the whole week, actually two weeks, right after the Davis Cup, trying to recover and make a decision to play or not to play,” Djokovic said.
“If somebody told me 10 days ago I’d be winning the trophy, I wouldn’t think it’s so realistic, to be honest.
“I went through pain, I went through a big challenge, mentally, physically, emotionally, and in the end it was getting better as the tournament was going on. I can’t ask for a better start to the clay season.”
Nadal is only still returning following six months out with a knee injury but conceded Djokovic was amazing.
“What Novak is doing is just amazing,” Nadal said. “I like to win more than lose, but that’s sport, it’s not a tragedy. I lost after eight years without losing here - that’s something.
“For me it was a positive week. I didn’t have the practice in Mallorca, I just practised here before the tournament.”