Rafael Nadal has said that winning the Qatar Open is a "great way to start the season".
The world number one beat Gael Monfils in three sets in the final in Doha earlier this afternoon to win the tournament for the first time in his career.
"I never had the chance to win here before. I had match points against [Nikolay] Davydenko in the final a few years back," Sky Sports News quotes the Spaniard as saying.
"I'm happy to start the season like this, it's the first time I have won a title in the first week of the year. It's a great way to start the season. I'm sure that if Gael keeps playing like this, he will be close to the top 10."
Nadal will aim to win his 13th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open later this month.
