Serbia are the ATP Cup champions are beating Spain in a dramatic match in Sydney. World No 2 Novak Djokovic led from the front, beating Rafael Nadal in the singles and then teamed up with Viktor Troicki to beat Pablo Carreno Busta and Feliciano Lopez in the deciding doubles.
Djokovic said: “I’ll remember this experience for the rest of my life as definitely one of the nicest moments in my career.
“I’ve been very fortunate and blessed to have an amazing career the last 15 years, but playing for the team, playing for the country with some of my best friends for a long long time, you can’t match that.
“That’s just too special.”
Troicki added: “I want to thank Novak for playing with me again. It was a great experience like always.
“I remember playing with him since we were nine, 10. To share such a moment on the court with him, I cannot describe it with words.
“As you said, I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”
The crucial doubles match began with a surprise decision when Nadal pulled out of the match due to fatigue.
But Nadal gave credit to team Serbia for their performance on the night.
He told the crowd: “First of all I have to congratulate team Serbia. It was a great effort from them.
“It’s been a pleasure to be a part of our team. We had a really successful competition and it’s been a pleasure to share these moments with my team.”
In a classy move, Djokovic and Nadal announced that the ATP would be donating $500,000 from players on the tour towards the WWF’s Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund as part of the bushfire relief efforts.
Djokovic, President of the ATP Player Council, said: “Australia is such an amazing and welcoming country and it feels like home for us at the start of each season.
“To see the damage to wildlife and nature from the bushfires has been devastating.
“This donation with the ATP is on behalf of all the players and our thoughts and support go out to all those who have been affected.”