※ April 22, 2008 : N. DJOKOVIC/I. Ljubicic 6-3, 6-3 (Round 2) Q. That looked like on paper a potentially difficult first match. You must be pleased to have got through it so comfortably? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: True, I am. Especially with the fact that he's a very good friend of mine. Personally we have great relations off the court, as well on the court. We practiced a lot. That's one of the reasons I had a bit nervous start. But in the end I came up with a straight-set win, which is very important for me on the start of the clay court season. Even though I faced a lot of breakpoints, I think I played the best tennis in the most important moments, and that's what matters actually most. Q. What are the things at this point in the clay court season in your game you're particularly focused on? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, one of the things that I really try to have this year is patience. But then in the other hand I'll try to be myself and be aggressive: the kind of style of the game that I always have. So it's gonna be a real test for me. I haven't won a major event on clay, so I always have highest possible intentions and goals any tournament I play. I think I have enough quality to beat the best players in the world - even on this surface. I had more time than last year to prepare, to rest and to work on some things, particular things for clay, and hopefully it's going to pay off in the tournaments.
Q. Some time ago you announced that you wanted to be No. 1. In Australia you beat Federer. Do you still have the same goal for the end of the year? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, I always try to be as realistic as is possible. But in the other hand, I always try to aim for the highest goals, as I said just before. So, okay, I don't want to push myself too much and keep my focus on the points and rankings too much because I know that if I do so I'm not gonna be able to play well on the court. So I'll try to go step by step, just go easy. I know that I have enough quality, that I have enough potential, to be at the top of the world. But I'm only 20 years old and there is still a lot of time and a lot of tournaments, a lot of seasons to come. You know, Roger and Rafa were very dominant the last three, four years. But this year the situation is quite different. You know, the people are talking now about more players, including myself, and tennis is seeing some new faces. This is good for the sport. And, you know, my goal for this year was to win a Grand Slam, and I did it. So now I'll try to be as much consistent as is possible on the major events, and hopefully I can get further - at least a step further - on the rankings till the end of the season. Q. What is the best thing that's happened to you since you won the Australian Open? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, there is a lot of great things. I can't say that I can just think of one thing. But people appreciate you more and I think look at you with more respect when you're a Grand Slam winner. Of course, there were a lot of talks in the last year and a half or so about me being, you know, a big talent, big potential, you know, good player, but I still haven't won any Grand Slams. So now I confirmed that I really deserve to be where I am. Q. You mentioned Roger. What did you make of his start to the season? Is there an apparent weakness there or is it a case of a blip or do you sense his level may be dropping slightly? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, he's a human in the end. I think it's normal after such a long period of the time being No. 1 and being so dominant on every surface that he plays a little bit worse than he usually does on the start of the season. But still it's just the start of the season. It's still a lot of tournaments to come. He won his first tournament now in Estoril, so he's obviously gaining a lot of confidence. And we're gonna see a lot of him. Of course, for him, this is a challenge, to stay on the top of the world. Rafa is just right behind him for many years. Of course, he's gonna try to get him as fast as possible. But Roger is not intending of getting off that first place in the world. But the things are a little bit shaked up, that's for sure. I won the Grand Slam. You know, you see Tsonga in the final. So, as I said, there are new faces, and it's good for tennis. Q. The crowd likes you very much because not only do you play great tennis, but also you have the quality of being able to have fun and joke on the court. But now you seem more calm. Is it because you really want to focus and be the best in tennis? Do you think it's sort of a better discipline? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think I always have fun and enjoyment and I will never stop doing that for any purpose. But in the other hand, I'm a professional tennis player and my lifetime goal is to be the No. 1 player of the world. Of course, I'm going to try to do that in my career. You know, it doesn't need to be this year, next year. It can be even in five to 10 years. Doesn't matter. But I know that I dedicated my life to this sport. As soon as I'm on the court or I need to focus myself on tennis, that's what I do. But off the court is something else. It's my personal life. Let's not get to the details too much (smiling).
※ April 24, 2008 : N. DJOKOVIC/A. Murray 6-0, 6-4 (Round 3)
Q. Is there something you can do better on clay today? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Oh, sure, you always can do better. You can't play a perfect game. But one thing is for sure: I'm very, very, very happy and satisfied with my performance, especially in the first set. I managed to keep the control of the match, be patient, but aggressive at the same time.
Q. When you are trying to be patient but also aggressive, like you've just said, how do you pick the right moment to change? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think it comes with time and experience on the tour. As much matches you play, the bigger matches, you get that experience and knowledge. That's what I got in last couple of months, I think. And I matured a lot in my game. Even though I haven't won a major event on clay, this is something that I want to do this year, and I have a high goals. I think I have a good game for this surface. I worked a lot. Hopefully it's gonna pay off.
Q. How did this match compare with your previous wins against Andy? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Oh, it's very difficult to compare because we never played against each other on clay. It's absolutely a different game, different style. I said on the end of the match that for him it's a good thing that he started working with Corretja. You know, Corretja is really one of the better players in the last 10, 20 years to play on this surface. He can teach him a lot. But I had a feeling that he was a bit too passive throughout the match. He was not taking his chances. So I used mine when I got them.
Q. Are you pretty optimistic about this short clay season from what you've seen so far? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, yes. But I'm taking it step by step. I don't want to rush into anything. Even though I'm really happy with my two matches so far, but it's just a start of the clay court season. As I said, I'll try to be consistent with my high level of performance on this surface. Even though the schedule is really, really, really difficult this year, especially on the clay, we have three Masters Series events in four weeks, which is a little bit strange, but for everybody is the same. You got to get used to it.
Q. Is there anything special for you when you play at the French Open - maybe not the tennis, but the ambiance? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Oh, for sure, Grand Slams are the biggest events. You feel very privileged to be there and just participate in such a great event. And Paris, French Open, has the best clay on the world. I think I play my best tennis there because the clay is a bit faster than in the other events, like Rome, Hamburg, here. It suits to my game, though.
Q. Grass is the kingdom of Roger Federer. Clay is the kingdom of Rafa Nadal. What about you? Do you think you have more chances on clay to gain some points in comparison with Federer? Do you think clay is better for you or Federer? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you never know. As I said just recently, it's just the start. It's just two matches and one tournament has passed on clay and still a lot to come. Clay is a very tricky surface 'cause you have to be physically very, very prepared and fit to survive all those thrillers and long points and long matches. There's a lot of players from South America, Spain, you know, Latin parts, who are playing a great tennis on this surface. So it's not easy. You know, you have to really try to save the energy as much as you can and then keep that high level of performance, what I said. But still not considering myself as, you know, a first, second or third player on clay in the world because, as I said, I never won the major event on clay. I had some good results on French Open especially. So I'll take it step by step and see how it goes.
Q. You and Andy very much matched each other in the first couple years coming out of the juniors in terms of rankings. On today's evidence, you look a long way ahead of him. Do you feel that or do you think he is better than it showed today? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I don't pay attention comparison between us 'cause it's not only our rivalry; there is so many players on the world and you just have to take care of yourself and individually pay attention on what you do just to stay on the right track. And this is what I am trying to do for a long time. Even though last three or four meetings I won, and last two were in -- you know, in Miami was 6-Love, 6-1, and here 6-Love, 6-4. If you look at the result, it seems so easy. But it's never easy. You know, you have to stay focused all the time. The second set today could go either way. Andy, as I said, still needs to gain some experience. He was struggling with injuries throughout all clay court season last year. So he has room for improvement, for a lot of points this year. I'm sure he's gonna get through.
Q. Obviously when you think about your game, do you feel he doesn't do himself justice against you when he plays you? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think that's a question for him. I don't know. I can't -- I can't compare my matches with him and his matches with Roger or somebody else. Maybe he has a problem if he plays with me, but it's not a question for me.
Q. How can you comment on the fact that this tournament in Monte-Carlo in the quarterfinals will play 7 of the top 10 players from the ATP list, if I'm not mistaken? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: What do you mean? 7 out of 10?
Q. No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9. Only Andreev is out of the top 10. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: You mean in quarterfinals?
Q. Yes. This is one of the strongest quarterfinals. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, yeah, it is. This is sport. This is tennis. You never know what is going to happen. It's very unpredictable. But obviously the top players are showing their strength in important situations.
Q. Do you have any memories of the French Open that you like or some you didn't like? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No. I have more or less only good memories. Whenever I played on the center court especially of the French Open, I got crowd behind me. I had a nice feelings every time I play there. I made quarterfinals and semifinals in last two years. So I'll be more than happy to get back there and play well.
Q. But your memories about the Italian Open are not that good? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Really? No, why? I played quarterfinals. I remember that match with Rafa, quarterfinals last year in Rome. I was frustrated because I played well but I couldn't do anything. I think most players feel like that when they play him on clay. But, no, yeah, I like playing. The tennis club in Rome has a lot of history, so it's always nice. And you can hear the crowd cheering in the football stadium, as well.
※ April 25, 2008 : N. DJOKOVIC/S. Querrey 6-4, 6-0 (QF)
Q. Seemed like another very composed performance from you. Can you talk about how you played. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Sure. When I found out that I'm playing against Sam instead of playing against Gasquet, it was certainly a better draw for me considering the fact that Sam is not a clay court specialist. And today I was in control of the match most of the time. I didn't face any breakpoints and I was really comfortable on my serve. In the other hand, I had a lot of opportunities the first set I didn't use. But in the end I managed to break him and then hold the serve. After that, it was more or less routine.
Q. Do you have to adjust when you're playing someone who isn't a clay court specialist? He must look very different to most people you play on clay. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, true, true. You always, of course, try to prepare the tactic according to the opponent you are having that match. Today I knew that I'm gonna be facing a big server, so I needed to be really focused on my returns, just wait for my chances, try to open up him a little bit more, try to open the court and then have the opportunities to finish with the winner.
Q. It seemed quite easy. Are you ready for a big clash now? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, I'm ready. Physically I didn't spend so much energy in these three matches. Mentally it was exhausting. But, anyhow, I cannot complain about long matches and long points because I didn't have those. So I can say I'm ready, you know. I just need to try to be myself tomorrow. Even though I'm playing the first player of the world, I played him many times. The only time we played against each other on clay was here two years ago, and it was three sets, tough match. So I think I have a good chances. I showed enough quality throughout all the tournament this year. We'll see what happen.
Q. Do you think the fact that it's on clay makes the job slightly easier in any way? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it might be. But looking at his match today, you really don't try to think in the way that you have advantage if you play him on clay 'cause he plays a great tennis on clay, as well. He grew up on clay basically. He didn't have as much success on clay, as much as he had on hard courts or grass. But, still, he is No. 1 player of the world. He played two finals of French Open. He won Hamburg. He was more or less everywhere in the final. So for sure he's No. 2 in the moment on this surface.
Q. Were you surprised by his reaction today? As you said, he played a big match against Nalbandian. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: He played a fantastic match. It was really impressive. I watched a little bit. Even Nalbandian had a great performance. But, you know, when you have such a great performance and you lose 6-2, 6-2, second and third set, your opponent had to be really, really great.
※ April 26, 2008 : R. FEDERER/N. Djokovic 6-3, 3-2 (ret.) (SF)
Q. What's the problem, Novak? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I didn't feel good for last three days. I've been waking up with some sore throat. But I thought it's not going to be nothing special. But obviously when you're playing against the No. 1 player of the world, you obviously get a lot of balls back and longer points, and I just couldn't get enough energy back after each point. I needed a lot of time. And I just decided not to risk anything.
Q. Can you just talk about your symptoms. Do you feel sick? Is it just a sore throat? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's a sore throat. I feel dizziness a little bit in the last three days. I don't know. Doctor in the tournament couldn't give me the right diagnosis. I'll check as soon as possible.
Q. Considering that, did you do well to actually get to the semifinal itself then? Did you do above what you could have possibly done to get to today? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think I could go even more. But, unfortunately, physically today I wasn't ready enough. I'm really disappointed that I had to finish this way. Feel sorry for the crowd and for everybody. In the first place, for me. But, you know, I always put health in the first place. Semifinal is a great result. No doubt about that. I'm not extremely disappointed. You know, it's a good result to come in the best four of a strong tournament.
Q. Any fever at all? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Not for now, hopefully. I don't know.
Q. You were already sick in the first set of the previous match. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, it's always like this. Last three days, as I said. But the previous opponents were not, you know, not that tough and I didn't have long rallies against the previous opponents like I had today. Obviously I needed that step further and to do something more and special to win the points today. Of course, it's normal, you're playing against the best player in the world. And, unfortunately, I couldn't do that. But, you know, I have to look on the bright side.
Q. And you have to look at the season, as well, because the clay court season is a very tough season, very demanding. If you're going to be in peak condition for Paris, you have to take care of yourself. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Sure, sure. That's a task I need to think about very seriously in the future, especially in the next couple of days. I'm gonna have a week before Rome. So hopefully I can be ready.
Q. How did Roger look to you, facing him for the first time since Melbourne? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: He looks good. He was more aggressive than in Melbourne. I think he stepped up more. He was more patient. And I think I made some crucial mistakes in that first set. I had some chances on 3-All I think or 2-All, some breakpoints. Unfortunately in the end, physically I didn't hold on. You know, in them moments, when you just need to stay patient and just play another ball back, I wanted to finish up with the return. So resulted with a mistake.
Q. So when today did you start to feel it? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, from the start I didn't feel so great. But, obviously, on the start of the match you feel, you know, fresh still somehow. But then after a while, after five, six games, after long points, started to feel more and more worse. I was thinking about, you know, stopping even after the first set. But, you know, I just wanted to try and see how it goes. But it's not worth it, you know. I'm just 20 years old. Still a lot of time, a lot of tournaments to come.
Q. After three days, nobody knows what it is exactly? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No. Just I thought it's nothing serious. You know, on the matches, I played well and I felt okay afterwards. I asked doctor yesterday. But he said I don't have nothing, which I really don't believe. I think he didn't give me the right diagnosis, obviously. I'll check as soon as possible.
