Novak Djokovic says Andy Murray has earned the No. 1 ranking, and should get credit for his accomplishments this season—as should Murray's wife, Kim Sears.
The Serb suggested that Murray should not immediately get questions about defending the top spot and what his next goals are.
"We should all let Andy enjoy this a little bit," Djokovic told reporters following Murray's win over him at the ATP Tour Finals, which secured the Scot’s No. 1 ranking and kept Djokovic in the No. 2 position. "His team as well, and his wife."
Djokovic made particular mention of Sears, who had their first child following the Australian Open.
"She has to get some credit, guys," he said. "She gave birth this year. He has traveled all over the place. I know how it is with my wife, Jelena, what she had to go through as a mother back home with a little baby. So Kim: Well done. She's maybe made even a bigger effort than Andy."
Murray and Djokovic have known each other since they were kids, and came up together on the junior circuit. Murray says they still get along.
"We chatted at length this year quite a lot because, obviously, I became a father the first time,” he said. “We spoke about the difficulty in keeping the sort of balance in your life, with the family and the traveling and the work and everything. It's not always easy when you're playing on court in the biggest matches with a lot at stake, but we've always got on well.
"I think both of us have been with our now-wives a long time, pretty much since we were like 18, 19 years old. We met each other's wives together at that age, as well. We've known each other a very long time. Regardless of what some of you may think, we have a good relationship."