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MADRID MASTERS

Djokovic hails "ambassador" Murray after sporting gesture

In a high pressured final it's not always commonplace for competitive athletes to show true sportsmanship but that's exactly what we saw in Madrid's showpiece.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic (L) shakes hands after beating Britain's Andy Murray during the Madrid Open men's tennis final at the Caja Magica (Magic Box) sports complex in Madrid on May 8, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / GERARD JULIEN
GERARD JULIENAFP

Novak Djokovic hailed Andy Murray as a fine ambassador for tennis after an act of sportsmanship saw the Scot plead for a time violation against the Serb to be overturned in Sunday's Madrid Masters final.

World number one Djokovic was handed the warning by umpire Mohamed Lahyani after taking too long to serve at 4-2 in the final set.

But Murray insisted it was his fault that his long-time rival had exceeded the time limit.

'I'm the one who kept him waiting. He was ready five seconds ago,' Murray pleaded to the official in vain.

Djokovic went on to claim a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win against the defending champion.