Federer describes Murray as ‘extraordinary’

Swiss tennis star and former world No. 1 Roger Federer has described Andy Murray as ‘extraordinary’ after beating Novak Djokovic to the world No. 1 spot in 2016.

The recently awarded BBC Sports Personality of the Year defeated Djokovic at the ATP finals to climb to the top of the rankings, and Federer believes it is all the more remarkable given Djokovic’s stunning start to the year.

“I was very surprised just because when a guy starts a season the way Novak does, achieves his dream by winning the French and his fourth Slam in a row, of course there’s no way in the world that anybody, even the players, start thinking another guy could actually finish No. 1,” he told the NYTimes.

Read Also: Murray wins Sports Personality of the Year award, sets new records

“Novak, let’s be honest, actually didn’t play too bad in the second half. He won Toronto. He played finals in many other tournaments: US Open, the World Tour Finals.

“You would think that was going to be enough, but what it required was something extraordinary, and Murray was able to deliver that, and that’s where I take my hat off,” he added.

Federer, who has won more Grand Slams than any other man in the history of tennis, spent a large portion of the season out injured after he lost to Milos Raonic in a Wimbledon semi-final match. But will be returning to the game at the Australian Open in January, alongside other key tennis stars – Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal.

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