Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Andy Murray is not a man who goes in for long and lavish celebrations but after winning Britain’s first Davis Cup title for 79 years he insisted: “We have to enjoy this because we may never get the opportunity again.”

With two singles victories and another point gained in Saturday’s doubles, alongside his older brother Jamie, the Scot became the first player to win three live rubbers in a Davis Cup final since Pete Sampras 20 years ago.

Murray added the title to the Olympic gold he won three years ago, he maintained this latest triumph also stood level with his Grand Slam wins at the US Open and Wimbledon. However he insisted: “I produce my best tennis when I am playing for my country.”

A highly charged week in Ghent, that started with security alerts and fears the final might not even take place, ended with Murray rounding off the British victory with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 win over David Goffin. He then said: “That’s what happens when you get your country involved.

“People become more passionate and I think that’s the same for all of us players, as well, It’s incredible that we managed to win this competition because I didn’t know that would ever be possible.”

Murray won all 11 rubbers he played during the course of Britain’s successful campaign that began with captain Leon Smith’s team beating the United States in March, then France a week after Wimbledon, Australia in September and now a 3-1 win over Belgium.

Against Goffin, he found things tougher than he did three and a half weeks earlier at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris when his near-total dominance allowed the Belgian just one game. “He made it extremely difficult but I knew it was going to be a tough match,” said the Scot.

Murray realized Britain could go on to win the title came after the quarterfinal win over France at London’s Queen’s Club when he was forced to fight back from losing the first set in the decisive fourth rubber against Gilles Simon.

“That match was incredibly tough mentally and physically for me and I found it extremely difficult,” he said. “Once we got through that, I really felt like we had a chance to do it.”

As a result of winning the title, Britain is now the no.1 ranked tennis nation by the International Tennis Federation but when captain Smith took charge five and half years ago, the team faced relegations to the ignominious depths of Euro/Africa Zone Group Three and potential matches with Moldova and Madagascar. “This has to be one of the best achievements of all time,” he concluded.

“What Andy has managed to do for this team is astonishing, to post that many wins in one year. He’s put his whole body and whole mind on the line every single time for the team. Really it’s incredible. We’re all grateful and proud of him.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.