윔블던 인터뷰 모음 (조코비치)
Q. You have said you were confident of winning this title, if not this year, possibly next year. What chances do you think there are of a repeat of the Australian Open semifinal this year, should you and Roger get that far?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's a long way still to the semi-finals. I have to go step by step. It's a two‑weeks event, 128 players fighting for the title, so there's many good players which are very motivated to do well.
Of course, this is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sports. Yes, I was mentioning that one of my dreams is to win Wimbledon. That's what I had when I was younger. Of course, I wouldn't complain even if I win it in 10 years. I will try to work hard and results will come. I'm sure about that.
Q. Do you see Roger as more vulnerable here than he has been in the past because of the way he's played the first half of this year?
Roger is still the No. 1 player of the world. He made a good result this year. Not as good as in past four or five years when he was really dominant in the sport. And, obviously, you know, mentally he was filled up, you know, from such a dominance. It's normal to have ups and downs, and he's feeling, you know, the pressure a little bit.
But I think for him it's a big challenge to defend the first place in the world.
Q. How would you describe Nadal as a grass court player right now?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, he's one of the best in the world, that's for sure. You know, he's playing better and better year after year. He's shown that in Queen's. It was really impressive the way he played on grass. I consider him as one of the favorites to win Wimbledon.
Q. Do you remember anything from Nadal/Federer in the final last year here?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, I haven't seen any of the final.
Q. How would you describe yourself as a grass court player at this point?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Improved since couple of years. I'm just playing, you know, tennis on this surface for three or four years back, so you don't get many chances to play on this surface. It's only one month a year, and this is the surface which has the biggest history in the sport.
For me, I always look forward to play on it. It's pretty interesting. It's suitable to my game because it's slower than it used to be. Baseline players have much more success than in the past.
But I'm still working on some varieties in my game, some segments that I want to improve on: serve and volley, which are really important for this surface.
I'm really happy with the way I played in Queen's. Reached the final, so I'm feeling pretty confident.
Q. You said that Roger is feeling the pressure at the moment. Do you think then this is your best chance to capitalize on that this year?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I mean, I don't want to rush into it. I know that people are looking at me and Rafa as a possible threat to him for the first place in the world till the end of this year.
But it's still a long way, you know. It's only half of the season. I just want to go slowly and just aim some smaller goals for now, you know. I want to be consistent with the results in the major events, try to reach a possible second Grand Slam title.
I know that I have enough quality to do so. You know, Wimbledon is coming up. After that, US Open, which is one of my favourite surfaces and favourite events.
You know, I just ‑‑ hopefully in the end of the year can get a place further on the ATP rankings.
Q. Does it make you more equipped, having won a Grand Slam?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, of course. It gives you much more confidence. Of course, people look at you in the different way: much more respect and appreciation for what you have done. Before this year's Australian Open, I was one of the potential players to win the Grand Slam. Had a really good run in 2007, but I still wasn't able to make it.
But then, you know, I've done it. As a Grand Slam winner, you know, you get in the history books. Not many players manage to achieve that.
Q. You say that Roger is feeling the pressure. How do you think that can affect him?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it all depends. Of course, he won the first tournament on grass in Halle pretty comfortably. He feels this is his favorite surface. He's the five‑time defending champion in Wimbledon. He feels great on the Centre Court. Again, he's No. 1 favorite to win it this year.
Of course, I mean, pressure is a part of the sport. He's feeling maybe more now than he used to do in the past years. But we're still gonna see a lot of him in the future.
Q. Do you change your play when you play grass?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: As I said, the grass is much slower, which is more suitable to my game. My game is based on the baseline, but I'm trying to mix it up, you know, to change the pace, to use more slice, and go more to the net.
You know, there is still a lot of room for improvement, and I'm aware of that. So I've been working hard the last couple months on these things, and we'll see how it goes.
Q. With Tim Henman not here, the British public are resting their hopes on Andy Murray. How big a threat to the other players see him this year?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, obviously he's a very big talent, big potential to be one of the top five players in the world. Obviously everybody expected him to do that, you know, earlier this year, but he was struggling a lot with injuries. You know, we have to consider that. He had his ups and downs. It's not easy to come back mentally especially.
But now he doesn't have many points to defend and he's very motivated to do well in Wimbledon, the tournament he hasn't played last year. So he's going to have the big support of the crowd, which is always welcome.
Q. If I could ask you to look ahead for a second, how important is the Olympics to you this year relative to a Grand Slam? Will you be treating it the same?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I will. I treat every tournament basically the same. Of course, a Grand Slam has a different ‑‑ much higher value. But I try, whenever I get to the court, to give my hundred percent.
As a professional athlete, I'm aware that tennis is very unpredictable. It can turn around in a second, you know. Mentally you have to be strong, and physically, of course, to hold on for 10 out of 12 months, traveling and playing a lot of events.
Olympics, Olympic Games, are games which have the biggest history in the sport. I think for every player, every athlete, it is a privilege and an honor to participate in such an event. It comes every four years, so who knows what is going to happen in four years.
I'll be very privileged to be there, and just looking forward to it. Hopefully I can be healthy to just participate in the Games.
Q. In the past, the men's results in the Olympics have been very unpredictable, a lot of upsets. Roger has made it clear it's very important to him in Beijing, Nadal, you, of course, in Serbia. Do you think this might be a year where the top players do really well in the men's tournament there?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think so. Everybody is motivated to do so. Federer hasn't won a medal in the Olympics, Nadal as well, myself. Everybody is eager to do that, so I think everybody's really, really motivated.
I mean, Olympics is a very special place in sports for everybody, you know. So just to be there and feel the atmosphere and meet professional athletes from different sports from every part of the world is just great. And plus winning the medal, it makes you very happy.
Q. You talk about the unpredictability. It's something that Wimbledon is often associated with, the unpredictability of the weather. We've already seen it today affecting the practice rounds. Bad weather forecast throughout the tournament. Is that like a running joke with the tennis players, that when they come over here, they have to get used to it?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It was a joke, but it's not a joke any more. Now you just want to avoid the bad weather, of course.
I mean, I've been staying in a hotel last two, three years, so I had a really difficult time, especially last year. I was one of the few players which was really hurt by that bad weather. For five days I was playing one match, which was basically impossible.
Afterwards I had to finish the tournament the way I finished it, you know. I had to retire from semifinals, which was very frustrating for me.
This year I have a house, like most of the guys. And just in case that it's raining or bad weather you can have a rest.
But this is a part of the sport. It's part of Wimbledon. Traditionally you have very bad weather. You have to accept it.
Q. How hard is it killing time in the hotel room?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Unfortunately, I don't have time to get to the hotel room. Again, traffic in London is terrible during the day, so you have to stay here and wait.
Q. You mentioned two bad things about the tournament, or about London or the weather.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, now everybody thinks I have only the negative thoughts about London, right (smiling)?
Q. Can you tell us a couple of things that do stand out about visiting London, England, Wimbledon.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, it's very nice. London has a special soul. It's a beautiful city, very big city. There's a lot of things to do, you know. A lot of historical objects to visit, sight‑seeing. But we don't have so much time, of course.
I just like the quietness of this area here in Wimbledon. You know, just having the house, it's so much relaxing. You can go by walk to the site and back and just have a garden, being with the family and just keeping your mind a little bit off tennis, saving the energy. I think this is what not many tournaments have.
Q. What has it meant to Serbia to have slams champions this year? What has been the reception? What are your observations on the following as a result?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, the general opinion is that the country is very proud of our achievements. Of course, for such a small country, having two Grand Slam champions in half a year is an incredible achievement. Of course, as individuals we represent ourselves in the first place, but then country as well.
Every time country name is written on a scoreboard wherever we show up, this is a big positive commercial for Serbia. So they really respect it and they appreciate it. Receptions were just amazing. Tennis is No. 1 sport in our country in the moment.
Q. What are your observations on Ana's game? What went through your mind when she won in France?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, I was very happy for her. I mean, of course, we grown up together. I know her for long time. She's a great girl. Fantastic tennis player. She's improved so much.
Watching her matches, the last three matches, she was very brave. Whenever she needed, she was going for the shots. This is the attitude of the champion, so she absolutely deserves the Grand Slam.
Q. As the third‑ranked player, you're destined to play either Roger or Rafa one way or the other. I don't think you've played Roger on grass. Considering what you were just saying about him feeling more pressure, is that something you look forward to more as a challenge, maybe more than playing Rafa?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: You know, whoever I play, for me it's a challenge. To have a role of the favorite or to try to win against the better‑ranked player, I mean, everything is a challenge in the sport.
Yes, I do look forward to play against Roger on this surface. We have played on hard courts and clay, as well. You know, it would be great to have a match against him on his favourite surface just to see where the things stand, you know, where is my game compared to his. But it's still a long way.
Q. The Player Council vote is today. Possibility of the top three players joining the council. To have top players representing, what do you think that would mean for the sport as far as changing the direction of things?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think it's fantastic for the sport. We're changing the face, changing the picture of everything in general. We were wondering if it's gonna take a lot of time, because even like this we don't have such a big amount of the free time. We have to spend it wisely.
But, you know, we decided together that this is the best thing for sport, to join the players council and to try to be united in the future to make decisions, the good decisions for us, for everybody.
To be involved in all these major decisions and all the specifics, the details, is very important for us, because in the end we are the most important part of the sport. People are coming because of us. We have to defend our interests.
※ 6월 23일 월요일, Novak Djokovic def. Michael Berrer
R1 : Match Reports : Djokovic survives scare // Match Statistics : 75 26 63 60
Q. Pleased with that?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I'm pleased. I'm pleased to get through. Always the first matches obviously are tricky ones. I had ups and downs throughout the match, but I managed to get in the control of the match towards the end. You know, especially in the fourth set, I was happy with my performance. It's not easy. You know, playing on the Centre Court, almost full stadium, a lot of expectations. Most of the first matches are, you know, the trickiest ones. But happy to get through.
Q. He rolled off five games at the end of the second set. Was that a case of perhaps you had lost concentration?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I did. I did. You know, I was trying to get used to the conditions. It's quite different if you are one of the first players to get on the Centre Court and feel the grass. It feels really great. I'm really privileged to just be a part of this tournament, which is really nice. The third match today.
The grass is pretty slow. I was trying to get used to the returns. I was trying to be aggressive at the same time. But he was serving pretty good in the first two sets, which was unabling (sic) me to step it up. Maybe I lost the focus towards the end of the second set, but I managed to come back.
Q. It's probably the most famous tennis court in the world. Is it a special place for you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It is. I mean, all this history and tradition which we have in Wimbledon, it's enough to just have a look. History of this tournament, it's for me most privileged sorry, most prestigious and the highest possible tournament that is in sports. Just playing here and feeling this atmosphere, a lot of fans of course have a big knowledge about tennis. They respect players. They appreciate what you are doing. It just feels good to be there.
Q. Can you remember your first matches, who they involved, when you used to watch from home?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: At the times, probably Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, these guys. I still have a picture in my head of Pete Sampras holding this Wimbledon trophy. So this is one of the pictures in my head which stayed all the way throughout my career and which motivated me actually to become a professional tennis player.
Q. After such a great year that you've had, are having, have you noticed any more pressure on you now? When you're going around Wimbledon, are you being stopped and recognized more than perhaps previously?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's all part of the sport, and I accept it in that way. It feels nice when the people come up to you and greet you in a positive way. Of course, not everybody likes you, but most of the people that come up to me just congratulate me or just showing me the appreciation for what I have done in the past two years.
And it feels great, you know, when you get recognized in the streets or in the tennis site. But sometimes, you know, you just have to avoid that as much as you can so you can keep the quietness and just have some private time off and save the energy.
Q. You said some people might not like you.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Of course. Not everybody in the world can like you. That's normal.
Q. But you're a popular player, aren't you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: This is not on me to judge, I would say.
Q. When you come to a tournament like Wimbledon, how many people do you travel with?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, a lot of people. I try to reduce it now. I'm giving a lot of hard time to organizers probably because of the badges and accreditations I'm asking for and requesting for.
I mean, everybody wants to come and see. I have a big family, of course. I have two younger brothers. They're also tennis players and want to come. I usually bring my parents and brothers as a priority people. And then, of course, some friends or relatives which all want to be a part of such a great event.
Q. How do you think about getting to the final four, the semis? Do you think you have a good chance to get there? You've beaten Lleyton Hewitt here before. Do you think he's still got the ability to think that he can get to the final four, perhaps the final?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, certainly I feel optimistic wherever I go. I have all the reasons to feel that way. I mean, I've been performing great tennis in last year or so, especially this year, winning a Grand Slam, a couple of major titles under my belt.
I have a lot of confidence. And heading to Wimbledon, you know, I gained much more confidence and I'm, of course, motivated to do even better than I did last year. Unfortunately I finished that way.
But I've played finals of Queen's, which give me a little bit boost up and more believe in myself. Of course, the first round, okay, I haven't played on the top level. But these are you know, the first couple of rounds you just need to get used to the conditions and go step by step. So, yes, I feel like I can go a long way. But, still, I need to take it slowly.
Lleyton is still a great player, very tough player to play against on grass. Even though he's maybe not on his top of the level.
Q. Not as good as he used to be?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Exactly. He was No. 1. He won a Wimbledon. He played a couple of finals and semifinals of the Grand Slams. You have to respect that, obviously. He's mentally one of the toughest players on tour.
Q. We saw Niki Pilic around today. Can you talk about your relationship with him?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, sure. I mean, we have a great relation since I was 12 years old. He helped me a lot with his advices. He dedicated a lot of his time to my career. I will never forget that. He has a very special place in my life. He's being involved recently with Serbian Tennis Federation. That's his purpose of this trip to Wimbledon, just to see how the Serbian players do, and talk to us, of course, about the upcoming Davis Cup.
He's still involved not just in my career, but my brothers' careers, as well. They have a base in his academy.
Q. Was it good sort of preparation for later in the tournament today, have a big left handed player smashing a few balls back at you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Sure, sure. As I said, he's a big server. Obviously, he was going for the shots. He had nothing to lose. I was the favorite in this match. He felt his opportunity playing on the Centre Court, so you could see that in the first two sets. It was dangerous, you know. It could go either way if I wasn't mentally strong enough. But luckily for me, I have this experience that in certain moments I know how to play, what shots to play, and it feels good just to get through.
Q. What about more particularly the ball coming from the left side?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, sure. I mean, I'm not thinking for finals or semifinals. But it's certainly good to win against the lefty, because always the left handed players are different. They use this slice serve more. They have this, okay, little advantage I can say. There's not many of them.
Q. Did you learn anything about yourself today, the adversity in the second set?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, every match you play I think you learn something new. Obviously you just want to make the things as perfect as possible. I'm a perfectionist, so I want everything to be a hundred percent. Of course, that's not possible. Sometimes I just lose my focus and I get frustrated. Obviously, that second set was not a good picture of my game. But, again, I have to look on the brighter side. I got through.
Q. Do you think the prospect of facing Rafa on clay or Roger on grass, which is the harder or the biggest challenge for you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I haven't played Roger on grass, so I can't really say. But it would be, of course, certainly a big challenge for me. It's still a long way. I mean, they've been very dominant in the last four or five years. Got to give all credit to them.
Mentally two of the strongest players in the world. Two best players in the world. I'm one of the players behind which is trying to keep up with them and get a place higher.
Q. You talked about adapting to the conditions on Centre Court. How different does the grass play here compared to Queen's?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It is quite different. Of course, for the people who never played professional tennis, obviously they don't understand the difference, even on the same surface, different conditions in different tournaments. The grass in Queen's was quicker and the ball was bouncing higher, which was more suitable to my game. Even though, I feel good here. Usually on the start of the event, you know, there is so many matches in the men's and women's tennis, singles and doubles, that the grass is not grass any more in the second week. It's almost like, you know, a sand.
Q. There have been quite a few fashion statements today. Roger Federer's cardigan, Serena Williams' raincoat. Have you thought of something, or is it an adidas policy to keep it a low profile?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I didn't understand. About what?
Q. About the fashion statements.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, we'll work on that. This is of course not only my job, this is the job of adidas obviously. But if they want to be creative, I'll accept it.
※ 6월 25일 수요일, Novak Djokovic lost to Marat Safin
R2 : Match Reports : Super Safin destroys Djokovic // Match Statistics : 64 76(3) 62
Q. Was a bad day at the office for you or a very good day for Safin, a bit of both? What surprised you most?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it was certainly a very bad day for me. I didn't do anything that I was supposed to do. He was very solid in all segments of the game. He was serving well, and like that, putting a lot of pressure on me.
I was serving a lot of double-faults, which is unusual. I was just not finding my momentum, that's all. What can I do? I mean, it's a straight-sets win. I didn't expect it, honestly saying. I knew he's a very tough player to play against - even today - on any surfaces. Especially playing him on Centre Court obviously motivates him more to do well. Nobody expect from him too much.
Q. You finally did find your serve a little bit midway through the second set and got into the tiebreak. You lost it again. After the frustration of finding your serve and losing the tiebreak, did you just not feel like you could give everything you had in the third set?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I was trying, you know. I kept on trying, even though after the second set I tried to come back. It's not that I gave up. You know, I knew that I can turn around at any second.
Safin is a player who is known as a big talent, very powerful groundstroke player. But, again, he makes a lot of unforced errors. I had these opportunities, a couple of opportunities, on his service games when it was 30-All, 15-30, deuce. But then I just -- I just -- I made some unforced errors, which were really uncharacteristic, without any sense.
So he was just very consistent with all the strokes and he was mentally there. Every point he was going slowly, and opposite of me. I was having a lot of ups and downs. When I found my momentum, I couldn't keep it.
Q. You talked about the double-faults and the unforced errors. John McEnroe said after the match he thought you looked tired and that maybe you had played too many matches. What do you think?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: You know, tired mentally, probably I'd say yes. It's been a long season, even though it's only halfway through. But physically I wasn't tired, and that was not the explanation why I lost today. He was just better than me on the court. I had very bad day, and that's it.
Q. Have you seen him play that well in recent years?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I haven't watched him, you know, a lot in last two years. You know, Safin still has his ups and downs. He's known for his, you know, mental instability in some ways. But he's still a great player. I mean, he's still not too old. He's playing well. He's moving well. He wants to go back. You know, he wants to step it up again and try to get far in a major.
This is a good way to start.
Q. You said you were mentally tired. Is it the traveling, so much matches, dealing with the press every day, day after day?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean, it's a part of my life and I have to accept it. You know, obviously everything from all.
Q. There was a sort of warm embrace between the two of you at the end. Do you know each other particularly well, or do you just get on well?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, we know each other off the court as well pretty good. I mean, we've been practicing. When I was a junior I looked at him as one of the, you know, greatest players, one of the idols. So I admired the way he plays.
At the times when I was junior he was, you know, the top of the world. I used to practice with him, because we had then, and still we have, the same manager.
I have a lot of respect for him. Maybe that played a role today in the match.
Q. Considering instability, can we say you were waiting for him to make his usual mistakes, but they were just not coming today?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah. This was one of the things that went wrong. I shouldn't just wait for the mistakes. I was supposed to go for the shots and play aggressive style that I always play.
But it wasn't my day.
Q. Which of these two matches against Marat hurts the most: getting completely crushed at the Australian Open or here where you're the No. 3 seed and have established yourself as a top player, losing to a No. 65?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean, I don't compare it at all. I mean, this first match we played was three, four years ago. I was still very young and it was my first Grand Slam. It was understandable at the time. He won this tournament. He was playing extremely well.
I cannot compare it. Now, I'm much more matured, better experienced player in general. But, you know, I don't -- I try to look at it as positive as much as I can. It's a loss, but it's a part of the sport.
You know, life goes on. What can we do? There is still a long way through.
Q. Just an observation, but you didn't appear to be wearing your normal brand of shoe today. Do you have an issue with the grass?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I have issue with the grass. I was wearing another brand of the shoe. This was agreement between adidas and myself. I had a lot of difficulties with the movement, especially in Queen's this year, and even in the past years.
I just tried to make -- we just tried to have agreement and the best possible solution. So I thank them for the support, because it was a big step for all of us. A bit risky, but it was the only way that I could imagine myself far in the tournament. This was the difference that I felt that we can improve on.
Q. Because you had the problem last year that forced you to withdraw?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, that was one of the reasons.
Q. Must be a little bit of a strange feeling. It's been a while since you lost this early in a Grand Slam.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: What I'm going to do (smiling)?
Q. What are you going to do to regroup from here? Any lessons you've taken away from it at this point?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I'm going to probably stay another week and watch matches. No (laughter).
I'm going to go home - home sweet home.
Q. How will you regroup? What will you do?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I'll rest a little bit. Without the racquet. I'll leave the racquets at home and I'll go somewhere many miles away.
Q. Safin has been No. 1 in the world. He played very well everywhere, but not that well normally on grass. He lost many matches in his life on grass. Do you think today he was playing extremely well or it was just you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It was mostly me. You know, I said on the start that he was very solid in all sides. He was playing with not much unforced errors from the back, good return. But I wasn't doing anything to hurt him, you know. My serve, even when I had the high percentage of the first serve, it was going on his racquet. No angles, no precision whatsoever.
Yes, he was playing well today. He didn't play extremely well, but he was playing enough, you know, to win.
Q. How big of a chance do you give Safin at this Wimbledon? How big a chance do you give to the Russians at the Euro Cup, if you're watching?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Safin, if he plays this well, can get far. This is a question of the time and the day, so every match is different. You can't really predict what's going to happen, but I wish him well.
And Euro Cup, I hope Russia wins.
Q. Given the fact that you reached the semifinals here last year and your excellent results since, can you just sort for us how disappointing it is to be going out this early?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's quite disappointing, of course. A lot of expectations from my side and all the people that are following my career, of course, and the tennis lovers here in UK and worldwide.
But what can I do? This is just part of the sport, a loss. I just have to take the best things out of it and use it for the future. You know, certainly I expected to go far, because I know I have enough quality to do so. Last year I've been performing pretty good tennis on grass.
Finals of Queen's came up in the right moment, gave me a lot of confidence, boost up. But, you know, it can change.
