Beaten Belgium laud Davis Cup hero Murray

Andy Murray received gracious praise from the Belgium camp after leading Great Britain to long-awaited Davis Cup glory in Ghent.

Having shone in the team event throughout 2015, Murray again came up with the goods in the final " winning each of his singles matches either side of a crucial doubles victory with brother Jamie.

A straight-sets win over David Goffin on Sunday secured Britain's first Davis Cup title since 1936, as the world number two became the first player to win eight live singles rubbers in a calendar year since the introduction of the World Group 34 years ago.

Discussing his loss, Goffin said: "[There is] a lot of disappointment, of course, but I think I've no regrets after this weekend.

"Great Britain and Andy deserved the trophy, they were just really solid this weekend and Andy is a great champion. He won the match and he is the hero for his country and I think he deserves it.

"It was an unbelievable year [for Belgium]; it was our first final in Davis Cup and it was unforgettable. I'm really proud of what we did this year.

"And I think this weekend really gave me some confidence for next year. I think I proved that I can have a really high level and I will try to still improve my game, my serve and be more aggressive for 2016."

Belgium captain Johan van Herck hailed the mental strength of Murray, who coped admirably with the pressure of being expected to win all three of his matches.

"In sport, at this level, there is only one thing that counts and that's the trophy and it hurts to see it five metres in front of you and not be able to step towards it and show it to the public," said Van Herck.

"On the other hand, I'm proud, but we lost to a better team.

"First, on David, I think he played a very, very good match. He improved a lot since Friday [when Goffin fell two sets down to Kyle Edmund before recovering]. I think he showed his potential and also he saw in front what he can improve.

"Secondly, [I have] huge respect for Andy Murray. If you can put in that kind of a performance after three days, if you can be that mentally strong to fight back after you have break points against, every time afterwards being stronger, if the public is going against him, being stronger " I can only say a lot of respect.

"You have to say he was the better player and he deserved to win."