Australian Open Monday, 22 February 2021 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Press Conference

pandemic. I mean, a lot of suffering, a lot of sacrifice. At N. DJOKOVIC/D. Medvedev the beginning we didn't feel so welcome, judging by what media was writing about players and being here. 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 I think when you draw a line in the end of the day, I think CRAIG TILEY: I'd like to propose a toast to Novak, who it was a very successful tournament for Tennis Australia, as you all see again tonight, exemplary performance. I for , for Australian country. We all wish remember back in 2008, you christened and transformed to experience more of the tournaments like this in our tennis courts. That was your first year winning. I schedule. It's going to be highly unlikely that we will see remember that experience. It was a special moment. crowds anywhere else except here. Maybe few other places. But the way it looks like, it's going to keep going From then to now, nine Australian Opens. Congrats, for some time. Novak. Thanks for the example you set to everyone else in the game, beyond just the tennis. We all appreciate it. So I'm very thankful that the Australian government and True champion. You deserve it. On behalf of everyone Australians managed to allow crowd to be on the stands. here and in the rest of the world, congratulations. We almost kind of forgotten how that feels.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Toast to you as well, for everything So, yeah, I mean, it was very challenging for me to keep you have done, and Tennis Australia. my mind serene and keep my focus directed into what matters the most. I mean, I have put a lot of energy and CRAIG TILEY: A team effort. time, along with my team, to be here sitting with a trophy. So I'll take a lot of positives out of this month here in NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's a team effort, but I know how Australia and see what's rest of the season is going to many hours you have put into making this happen, so look like. thank you. Q. What does number nine mean to you, 18th major? CRAIG TILEY: Cheers, to Novak. And do you really not like champagne?

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: When you're a young tennis player, I think 99.9 percent of players, kids that get a racquet in Q. Despite the scoreline in the final, do you think their hands, start dreaming about what they want to this was the most difficult of the nine Australian achieve, it's a , winning a major. Open titles for you? So, of course I tried to remind myself, pinch myself, of NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Each one is different. It's hard to how important this is. Even though I have been fortunate compare. But it has been definitely emotionally the most to win many majors and play in many major finals in my challenging Grand Slams that I ever had with everything life, I do enjoy the success every single time even more that was happening, injury, off-the-court stuff, because I know that the longer the time passes, the more quarantines. It has been, least to say, a roller-coaster difficult it's going to become for me to get my hands on ride in the last four weeks. the major trophy because you have, of course, new young players coming up that are as hungry as you, Of course I'm not the only one that has experienced that, maybe even hungrier, and they're coming up and they're talking about quarantine. I can't complain. I mean, I challenging me and Roger and Rafa. They have been probably had it the best I possibly could have comparing mostly dominating the slams in the last 15 years. to the other players, some that had to stay 15, 20 days without exiting the room and training. I mean, I don't feel like I'm old or tired or anything like that. But I know that, you know, biologically and A lot of mixed emotions, as I was saying on the court, realistically things are different than they were 10 years with the media, tennis players getting here in the midst of ago for me. I have to be smarter with my schedule and

104770-1-1145 2021-02-21 13:17:00 GMT Page 1 of 5 peak at the right time. So the slams are the tournaments able to have the breakthroughs that you had at the where I want to be able to perform my best. same age?

Now, after achieving the historic No. 1 for the longest NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, they have definitely the weeks at No. 1, it's going to be a relief for me because quality to reach the heights of major tournament trophies. I'm going to focus all my attention on slams mostly. I mean, they've proven that. Dominic has won it in US When you are going for No. 1 rankings, you kind of have Open. I think just Roger, Rafa and myself have to be playing the entire season and you have to be managed to always play our best tennis at slams. We playing well, you have to play all the tournaments. have the experience of knowing what to do, how we can win matches in best-of-five on different surfaces. I think My goals will adapt and will shift a little bit, which means that's made it more challenging for guys that are in the that I will have to adjust also my calendar - not have to, next generation, up-and-coming. but I will have an opportunity to do that which, as a father and a husband, I'm really looking forward to that. I mean, Dominic has contested in several Grand Slam Judging by what we're seeing around the world, having finals before he actually got a trophy, got a win. How family on the road with me will be a very difficult task, long is going to take for maybe Zverev or Tsitsipas or because if I'm going to travel around, I have to take my Medvedev to do the same? I don't know. But they seem coaches and everything, and we have rules in place that awfully close. I mean, Medvedev was definitely a guy to don't allow really more people than I think two people on beat today. I mean, 20-match winning streak. Tsitsipas, the tournaments to travel with you, other than slams. Zverev, Medvedev, they all won World Tour Finals, multiple Masters 1000 events and high ranking. They So, yeah, I'll have to wait and see how my schedule is have all contested in semis and finals of slams, so it's going to look like. I haven't made any commitment just a matter of time. But hopefully not so close. actually after Australia. I'm just trying to marvel in this success and enjoy it as much as I can. Q. You talked a little bit about the criticism. We asked Goran about it. He said it was something that Q. You've won the tournament, nothing to hide from he took pretty hard. How did you react behind the any of the players. Could you share with us the scenes? How tough was it? How did you put it injury and what you've done over the last nine days aside when you went on court? to get yourself to where you are now? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: For me, the main thing was to NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It is a tear, a muscle tear, of the really direct all my thoughts and attention and energy into abdominal oblique muscle. I felt it right away when it what matters for me the most, which is try to recover, do happened against Fritz in the third round. That's what I everything properly, stick to the routines, to the things said in the post-match interview. I was kind of guessing, that make me feel comfortable, and put myself in a best but I felt just that it's a tear because of the snap and the possible state, condition, and position to win matches. way I felt after that. That's what I've done. It's much easier said than done. I know there's been a lot of speculations, people I've invested a lot of energy, mental energy mostly, to questioning whether I'm injured, how can I recover so that. quickly, it's impossible to do that. I get it. I mean, look, everyone is entitled for their own opinion, and everybody My team that has been staying with me the last couple of has the freedom and the right to say what they want, weeks in the house, we watched tennis, but we were not criticize others. I just felt like it was a bit unfair at times. following, at least when I was with them, maybe they But, hey, it's not the first nor the last time. were following when I was not with them, the news and stuff like this, getting involved and speculating, What we have done in the past nine, ten days, you'll get discussing, having conversations between us about what a chance to see in details probably end of this year when someone said in the media or whatever. the documentary comes out. I've been filming a lot of things that I've been doing here, but also in the previous I know that's completely unnecessary for me. It did come months, six months. We're planning to take that to me. I mean, sometimes it's really difficult to avoid it in documentary out end of this year. You will be able to see a way. I mean, some of the things that some people say, more of the routine of recovery, stuff that was going on of course, it does come across here and there when behind the curtain. you're watching a tennis match, commentary, someone mentions it, whatever. In some way or another it comes Q. When you were Medvedev's age, you had six to you. Grand Slam singles titles and had lost to Roger and Rafa in two other finals. You talk about the younger Of course, it's not nice to hear that. I mean, it also generation being hungry. Why have they not been seems unfair from some people that kind of criticize and

104770-1-1145 2021-02-21 13:17:00 GMT Page 2 of 5 judge without really checking before. But as I said, it's become No. 1 of the world. I reached that in 2011. not really the first time. I have so much experience with Wimbledon in many ways is a very special event, is a this because it happened so many times in my life, in my very special tournament, a very special court. But if we career, that I experience that. It will probably not be the see things from a perspective of results, what I've made last one. in my career, I mean, is the court.

Look, at the end of the day everyone who has the stage Q. You spoke before about your schedule. How has the right to say what they want to say. It's a matter hard is it for you to have been away from your on my side whether I'm going to react or not, in which family? Does that drive you more? way I'm going to react. I didn't allow it to hinder my performance. I think winning the trophy is in a way my NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, when I'm on the road of answer. course I have to try to use the most of my time on the road and make my absence from the home valuable, try Q. Does it hurt you to get that constant criticism that to make a big success as a reason why I've traveled so seems to always follow you? far and for so long without seeing my kids and my wife.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, of course it hurts. I'm a Of course, I miss them. I mean, at times it rips my heart human being like yourself, like anybody else. I have apart, to watch my kids. Thankfully to technology you emotions. I don't enjoy when somebody attacks me in can see them on FaceTime and everything. But not the media openly and stuff. Of course, I cannot say I being close to them, being separated for a long time... don't care about it or whatever. Of course, it does. I have to be honest. But there are so many people around the world that suffer much more than I do, so I can't really sit here and But I think I've developed a thick skin over the years to complain. Of course, I've been very fortunate in my life. just dodge those things and focus on what matters to me I truly do miss them. I can't wait to see them. the most. And I don't like champagne. Someone asked me about Q. When Goran was in here before he said after New champagne (laughter). York, after the tough loss in the final in Paris, the tough weeks here, you really needed to win this Q. You spoke a bit about your goals and your championship. Would you agree with that? I don't schedule. Last year you won the Australian Open, mean to make you choose which child you love you said, I want to go the whole season unbeaten. Is more, but do you like this court better than Centre that something you still harbor as a goal? Court at Wimbledon? Long-term, Goran was just saying he thinks Rafa is definitely going to win one or two more French NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I would agree with my coach, of Opens, which would take you needing to pass him to course. I have to agree with my coach. Yeah, I mean, around 23. Do you then start looking at people like taking back the time to six months ago when we Margaret Court and Serena's record? restarted the season, I won Cincinnati tournament in New York, then had that disqualification at the US Open that NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, I don't plan to go unbeaten obviously did affect me mentally, emotionally, to go out the whole year. I'm not thinking about that. But I from the tournament like that when I was actually on a certainly want to win every match that I play. So I hope run. Didn't lose a match to that point in the whole year, that answers the question in a way. just feeling great. I will have to revise my schedule comparing to the last Of course, it did affect me through the rest of the season. year or any other season before this. I explained my I was kind of up and down with my performances. reasons why. Obviously time away from family definitely Managed to clinch the No. 1 at the end of the season, is something that has an impact on me. I'll have to see which was the goal. Just playing without crowd on the with these rules and regulations and restrictions in place stands, it felt a little bit strange and maybe just a little bit all over the world, Europe, not being able to take my lack of motivation. family on the road is something that is a big problem for me. So, yeah, of course I wanted to start this year in the best possible fashion. Coming to Australia, it always brings In terms of calculating the amount of slams that Rafa that extra dose of confidence to me because of my predicting might win French or somewhere else, myself, record here and because of how I play in Australia. getting closer to maybe Roger's, Rafa's record, Serena, Which leads me to your next question. Margaret...

I mean, as a kid I was dreaming to win Wimbledon and Look, everyone has their own journey and their own way

104770-1-1145 2021-02-21 13:17:00 GMT Page 3 of 5 of making history. They've made history already. They in the future. made a tremendous mark in our sport. I'm trying to build that and develop that myself in a very unique, authentic Yeah, I don't know how else I would describe the three of way that is suitable to me. us. I mean, I guess I'm not thinking about it in that way so much. Roger and Rafa inspire me. That's something Whether I think about winning more slams and breaking that I've said before. I'll say it again. I mean, I think as records, of course. Of course, I do. And most of my long as they go, I'll go (smiling). attention and my energy from this day forward, until I retire from tennis, is going to be directed in majors, trying I think in a way it's, like, a race who plays tennis more, I to win more major trophies. guess, and who wins more. It's a competition between us in all areas. But I think that's the very reason why we Q. After getting injured in the third-round match, are who we are, because we do drive each other, we how realistic did it seem to you that you could win motivate each other, we push each other to the limit. this title again? How worried were you about that? Q. When you look back on the past 12 months, NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I was quite worried. I did not look especially when you were hit by the COVID-19 and realistically that I could actually play. I didn't know until later injuries, finally you overcame them and two hours before the fourth-round match. That's when I achieved another milestone, what are your overall stepped on the court and played for the first time since raw emotions after such a challenging year? the third round. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, year just started. The new It looked okay. The pain was at the level that was season just started. bearable for me. I just accepted the fact that I'm going to have to play with the pain. Of course, we always play Last season was as it was, six months of no tennis in the with the pain in professional sports. It's part of what we middle of the season. I've been fortunate I think in my do, who we are. But this was a different kind of pain, a career to always start the seasons very well. I mean, pain that comes from an injury rather than soreness or nine years I managed to start with a win in Australia. whatever. That in a way sets the tone for the rest of the season for me. Whether I was aware of the fact that I'm going to possibly make more damage and risk more damage to this injury? It's why I love coming to Australia and I have always Yes, I was aware of that. As I was saying previously in extra motivation to perform well in the Australian summer the press conferences, if there was any tournament, it's tournaments, especially Australian Open, because I going to be here and it's going to be any major where I know if I win here, then it just gives me huge wind in my would risk worse injuries or damage in order to try to give sails for the rest of my year. myself a chance to go far in the tournament. Yeah, it's very strange times. Crowd, no crowd, Of course, I haven't done it myself. Medical team, my restrictions, quarantines. Every country, every physio, has done tremendous work. With God's grace, I tournament is different. It takes a lot of effort to adjust managed to achieve what I achieved and I'm very and to adapt mentally to that. It's not easy for players. thankful. You've seen a lot of injuries, and they actually came in the stomach, abdominal area, Berrettini, Dimitrov, even Q. Earlier said when he thinks of . So many players, top players as well, the , he considers you guys Cyborgs in a that are considered the fittest, kind of separate good way for what you've done for all these years. themselves from the rest of the players because they're How would you describe the big three and what so fit and ready. But this quarantine and these kind of you've accomplished for more than 15 years and the circumstances has definitely had a toll on our bodies. evolution to keep fending off younger challengers? How the year is going to look like after that? We don't NOVAK DJOKOVIC: The Three Knights of Tennis know. But it's definitely not ideal. But it is what it is. I (laughter). think it's better to play, especially slams, than not to play at all. Daniil, first of all, I have to say that he did really pleasantly surprise me with his kind words in the closing Q. I'm sure you don't need any more motivation, but ceremony. Thank him for that. He's a great guy. He it seems you enjoy the battle of the generations, showed why. He's very humble, showed a lot of humility keeping the younger guys at bay. Is that something and respect. I mean, I think of him greatly on and off the that kind of drives you? court. On the court it just wasn't his day today, but he had a tremendous run and I'm sure we'll see more of him NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Not really, to be honest. I don't

104770-1-1145 2021-02-21 13:17:00 GMT Page 4 of 5 source my motivation from there. I have a lot of respect for anybody really, young guys, older guys, whatever. They're all going through the hardship and the tough hours on the court, off the court, to be able to play at the highest level of tennis. So I have tremendous respect for anybody that is in the tennis shoes and competing at this level.

But, of course, I will say that there is a lot of quality in tennis from the younger guys that are coming up. I was mentioning before they're very close to start winning major titles more consistently.

But Roger, Rafa, myself are still there for a reason. We don't want to hand it to them and we don't want to allow them to win slams. I think that's something that is very clear. Whether you communicate that message or not, we are definitely sending that vibe out there. I'm sticking to that.

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