Andy Murray hit new heights in 2016, putting together the most impressive season of his career.

Having spent years trying to catch up to Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, Murray finally climbed to world number one.

Alongside taking the top ranking, he won his second Wimbledon title, claimed three Masters trophies, and added another Olympic gold medal.

That same year also marked Murray’s best run on clay. He reached the finals in both Madrid and Roland Garros and took home the Italian Open title.

Clay had never been his favourite surface, but by 2016, he felt like he’d finally figured out how to play his best tennis on it.

Andy Murray reflects on his 2016 Italian Open win

After beating Djokovic to win the 2016 Italian Open, Murray said in his championship press conference: “I never expected to be having the results I have been having on clay.

“But if you actually look at the past results, I have had opportunities to get to the final of Monte-Carlo and get to the final of the event here. I served for the match against Novak a few years ago and had a chance against Rafa a few years ago, too.

“Maybe, you know, maybe I didn’t believe enough in myself. I always thought clay was my worst and hardest surface for me.

“But then last year, getting some wins against the best players made me realise a little bit — you know, I had always been told, my coaches had said to me that clay should really be my best surface, but it took me a long time probably to gain a little bit of confidence.

“But also I did make huge improvements in my movement on the surface, as well.

“That has sort of changed my mentality when I go on the court a lot. I don’t feel like I’m off-balance anymore, and I feel like I can chase most balls down. And, you know, it’s an easy surface for me to move on now.

“My back feels way, way better than it did a few years ago. I have to thank my team for that for all the hard work that they have put in and the changes they made to my training program, you know, to help me with that. So I have to credit them.”

Andy Murray’s thoughts on Novak Djokovic following his win

Murray defeated Djokovic in the Italian Open final, taking the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.

Asked where the win ranks in his career, Murray said: “I don’t know how significant it is. I mean, you know, each time I go up against him, I know I have to play a great match to win.

“Sometimes you play great tennis and you don’t win, because, you know, he’s such a good player or great player, even.

“But, yeah, any time you beat the best player in the world it’s a big win. The finals of a Masters Series on clay again is something that’s a new experience for me.

“It’s not really something I have done throughout my career, so it’s nice to still be sort of achieving new things and reaching new goals, you know, at this stage of my career.

“So I’m really happy about that. And I had great preparation now going into the French Open as well with a lot of matches. I have played against Rafa a couple of times, Novak a couple of times. You know, not won all of the matches, but competed extremely well even in the ones I have lost.”

Read more: