"I am going to take some time off and I still believe there is a lot to be done. I believe I can get better"
Thursday 7 November 2019 14:48, UK
Grigor Dimitrov believes winning the ATP Finals title will act as a “great platform” as he capped his season in thrilling fashion on Sunday.
The 26-year-old, who became the first player since Alex Corretja to win the season-ending tournament on their debut, finished the season as the world No 3 following a three-set win over fellow debutant David Goffin.
Dimitrov, whose title at The O2 joins previous victories in Cincinnati, Sofia and Brisbane, is still without a Grand Slam title and he acknowledged 'there is a lot to be done' as he aims to make further strides in the game.
"I think it is a great platform for me to start the off-season," Dimitrov told Sky Sports. "That is the No 1 goal for me.
"Obviously I am going to take a little time off and I still believe there is a lot to be done, a lot to work on and I believe I can get better."
The Bulgarian was forced to wait until his fifth match point before securing victory over his Belgian counterpart after a nerve-shredding 10-minute game and Dimitrov admitted he was getting nervy in the closing stages.
He added: "I was hoping he was going to miss that last volley. I was getting a little tight. I am not going to lie. Some of the previous matches against him have been pretty close - obviously not earlier this week. I knew what to expect.
"I wasn't 100 per cent but again these are the days I love winning and I found a way to do that again. I am the proudest."
Dimitrov believes the manner of his victory is further proof he is overcoming the "hurdle" that has previously stopped him from winning a series of tight matches throughout the season.
"I like to stay on the court," he joked. "Nothing is simple with me. A lot of emotions have gone through my head - especially in the past months.
"I have lost quite a few close matches in the past year and I think I am already over that hurdle now. I feel a little more comfortable now."
The season-ending extravaganza ATP Finals at London's O2 ends another memorable year which we have covered on www.skysports.com/tennis with live blogs, reports and expert analysis. See you in 2018 when we return for the Australian Open.
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