ATP Finals: Goffin walks away proud and 'stronger mentally' after historic week in London

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  • Proud: David Goffin.

    David Goffin may be walking away from the ATP Finals with the runner-up trophy but the Belgian is proud of his efforts this week in London and believes he has proven that he belongs among the top players in the world.

    Goffin lost a tight final to Grigor Dimitrov on Sunday night, to bring an end to a week that saw the Belgian No. 7 seed defeat both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, becoming just the sixth player to ever do so at the same tournament.

    The 26-year-old Goffin was crushed by Dimitrov 6-0, 6-2 earlier in the week in the round robin stage. But their rematch on Sunday was a high-quality tug of war that ultimately went the Bulgarian’s way.

    “I think after this week I’m a better player mentally. Yeah, obviously mentally, but also, yeah, physically. It was tough,” said Goffin, who still has to play the Davis Cup next weekend against France in Lille.

    “I proved to myself that I can do it. I was at the right place because, you know, sometimes you are for the first time in the top-eight, you don’t know how it’s going to go, if you’re going to play a good level.

    “I proved to myself that, yeah, I’m in the right place, and I deserve to be here in this tournament. Then match after match, I took more confidence until the final. So I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, even if I’m disappointed about the final.

    “I gave everything. I have no regrets after the final. Anyway, it was a great week. So, yeah, I think I’m a better player.”

    Goffin, who is the first Belgian to qualify for the ATP Finals in singles, will end the year at a career-high No. 7. He compiled a remarkable record in decisive set matches in 2017, winning a tour-leading 22 and losing just six.

    Both Goffin and Dimitrov are 26 and they are part of the generation that had been trying to break out from the shadow of the ‘Big Four’ of Federer, Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

    With young guns like 20-year-old Alexander Zverev, and 22-year-old Nick Kyrgios making waves, Goffin’s generation have to contend with both the veterans and the talented up-and-comers.

    “It’s our generation. But we are here and we are fighting to beat the young guns and also the old ones,” says Goffin.

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