[인터뷰] 상하이 마스터즈컵 ④ : 조코비치

Devastating Djokovic Masters Davydenko

ATP World No. 3 Novak Djokovic was in devastating form as he capped a huge season by racing to his first Tennis Masters Cup title with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Nikolay Davydenko in Shanghai on Sunday.

The final victory earns Djokovic 50 points in the ATP 2008 Race and takes him to within just two points of second-placed Roger Federer at the season end.

"I would put it in the same league as a Grand Slam because the best eight players in the world are participating here," said Djokovic. "I feel very happy. End up the season the way I started it, with a win in a big event. So it's a great boost up for upcoming season."

The Belgrade native began Sunday afternoon’s final at the Qi Zhong Stadium in blistering form, breaking the Davydenko serve twice as he raced to a 5-0 lead. While Davydenko made a nervous start, hampered by poor serving, Djokovic played one of his finest sets of the tournament, dominating and dictating the points and hitting winners from every area of the court.

Davydenko barely had time to find his feet in the second set, just settling in at 1-1, when he was powerless to stop an inspired Djokovic from breaking through with a big forehand passing shot to lead with a break.

Djokovic looked to be on the verge of one of the biggest tournament victories of his career when he held two match points with Davydenko serving at 3-5. But the Russian chose that moment to produce some of his best tennis, winning seven of the next eight points to first hold serve and then command a 0-30 advantage as Djokovic attempted to close out victory. Tremendous hitting into both corners by Davydenko left Djokovic facing two break points and he surrendered on the second with a double fault to hand Davydenko a lifeline.

However, Davydenko’s respite was short-lived as Djokovic played arguably his best game of the final to immediately recoup the break of serve and, at the second time of asking, made no mistake as he roared to victory with a powerful serve that Davydenko could not return.

"It was special because I've played in the second part of the season in a couple of finals, and I didn't manage to win the title for a long time, since Rome," said Djokovic. "That's probably the reason why I couldn't close it out in 5-4. I was a bit nervous. It's not easy, you know. There is a lot of pressure involved. I'm happy that I managed to hold my nerves in the end."

"For me I think was today a very difficult day," said Davydenko. "He played very good. We played both from baseline. I tried to control, but he played fast. He didn't play like one ball fast; he played like every point, very good concentration completely first set. Because he didn't make so many mistakes. Good serve, good return.

"Against Djokovic you need to be perfect, also play very fast and very good. That's what he did, and I didn't. Doesn't matter how he played one game; he still had good concentration for the next game. That's why I lost everything from the baseline. He played faster, and I really had no chance."

The 21-year-old Djokovic closed and opened his season with a title, having won his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January with victory over Federer in the semifinals and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final. The Serb also punctuated his season with ATP Masters Series shields at Indian Wells (d. Fish) and Rome (d. Wawrinka) and now takes his career total to 11 (11-6 record).

The Monte-Carlo resident, who finished 2008 with a 64-17 match record, also made semifinal exits at Roland Garros (l. to Nadal) and the US Open (l. to Federer) and captured a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympic Games (d. Blake).

The 27-year-old Davydenko enjoyed his best performance at the Tennis Masters Cup this week, improving on the semifinal finish he achieved on his debut in 2005 (l. to Nalbandian).

The Volgograd resident, who upset the in-form Andy Murray in the semifinals, finished his fine season with a 56-21 record, marred only by his inability to reach the quarterfinals of any Grand Slam for the first time since 2004. He collected three ATP titles at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami (d. No. 2 Nadal), Poertschach (d. Monaco) and Warsaw (d. Robredo), helped Russia to the Davis Cup semifinals and represented his country in the circuit finale championship match for the first time.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about how great it is for Serbia to have Jelena finishing No. 1, Nenad winning today, you winning, too.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think Serbia's getting used to No. 1s, so I'll have to work on that, I guess.
No, I'm joking. I guess there's been so much going on for Serbian tennis lately that it's just incredible to describe how could we do it in such a small period of the time, short period of the time, with so many successful players in both the WTA and ATP Tour.
It's kind of a question that we get lately a lot. But it's impossible to explain because everybody had an individual way, everybody fighted (sic) their way through. Probably the fact that we didn't have the best possible conditions gave us more motivation to succeed.
And I'm so happy to represent my country in a good way, as well. I think playing tennis professionally, you know, being a professional tennis player and being successful in it makes you a good ambassador for your country.
So certainly I am very happy to share this victory, as well, with my closest family members, the ones who were not here, in Belgrade, as well, and the team. Of course, Zimonjic, I'm happy for him winning the title here and becoming No. 1. He's been working hard all his life and he finally did it.

Q. Many great champions got the Masters title, Sampras, Agassi, Federer. What does this Masters title mean to you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it means a lot. As I said on the court, I would put it in the same league as a Grand Slam because the best eight players in the world are participating here.
Certainly it says a lot about the quality, about the players who are playing here. It attracts attention from the tennis lovers and media worldwide. Everybody has a lot of motivation to end up the season in the best possible way.
So in my situation, it was special because I've played in the second part of the season in a couple of finals, and I didn't manage to win the title for a long time - since Rome. That's probably the reason why I couldn't close it out in 5-4. I was a bit nervous.
It's not easy, you know. There is a lot of pressure involved. I'm happy that I managed to hold my nerves in the end.

Q. When you were serving for the match at 5-4, did the Mexican wave and all the noise from that break your concentration?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I cannot put the blame on them. Why? Because the crowd is supporting the player who is probably losing at that moment. They want to have a longer match, more exciting match, and probably a longer final, right? So I don't blame them at all.
It's just that I didn't manage to hold my nerves that moment. I was really focused from the start. I think everybody could see that, that I was really going for the shots, using my opportunities, but in the same time staying very patient and playing smart tennis.
But then in that 10th game, again, like in the semifinal, I couldn't close it out. But yet again, it's very important after not closing out the match to hold your nerves, and that's what I did.

Q. You've had a huge year, your first Masters Cup and your first Grand Slam. At the Australian Open you had to go through Federer. Here you didn't have to face him. Can you compare them from that aspect. Are you relieved? Are you disappointed?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No. I'm not thinking about him at this moment, really. I won my Masters Cup title. It's a huge achievement for me, so I knew that whoever I play I have to do the same thing: play my style of the game and just win the matches. On whatever tournament I show up, I aim for the highest possible goals.

Q. As we can see, there is a sharp contrast between your performance last year and that of this year. What helped you to make this big progress?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I was saying couple of times throughout this week that the difference between last Masters Cup last year I played, it was my debut. Things are different when you're playing first time Masters Cup and then second time 'cause you gain more experience.
And then, of course, the fact I won a Grand Slam and a couple major events gives me a lot of confidence on the court. I'm stronger player.
I know what to play, the right shots at the right times. That is what is important.

Q. You're the representative of the new generation of tennis players who make it to the top. Do you think the competition has got more close between the top players in the world this year?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think, yes. This year has been quite interesting in the sense that there have been more players being candidates to win the major titles, and more players winning the major titles. I think it's good for the sport to see some new faces playing the final stages of the major events.
You always, of course, want to see the big rivalry between the first two players of the world. They've been very dominant for the last four, five years.
But now you see some new faces. You know, young players coming up. It's always good to see the rising stars, the young ones, because the future lies on them.

Q. There will be an event held in your country. Can you talk about that. I know you do a lot of work for that.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I'm happy to officially confirm that we ended up all the administration, and we gonna have a tournament in Serbia in May next year. So this was, well, one of the goals of the country, and of course myself, all the players, our federation. I think we deserved it.
We were fighting for it. It's not easy to get the tournament these days. The schedule is really packed out. There is a lot of big cities waiting upon an ATP Tour tournament or WTA tournament. So we are very fortunate.
But I think we used the momentum that Serbia has in this moment, that Serbia is one of the most successful countries in the tennis. The good thing of having this tournament is to promote the tennis, men's tennis, in the country where tennis is probably the No. 1 sport, popularity-wise.
So I'm very happy that ATP gave us their support, and hopefully we gonna have a good tournament next year.

Q. You're going to finish this season 10 points behind Federer in the rankings. What is your target for next season? Do you think you can go to No. 1 next year?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, of course you can, but it's a long season. There is many tournaments and many players who are candidates for the top spot. I think Rafa really deserves to be No. 1 this year. He's been playing best tennis, by far.
As I said, I think the interesting thing for the upcoming year is going to be the fact that there is so many players. Now it's not only about the two players any more; it's about five, six, seven players who are playing really well and can win against, you know, each other.
Certainly I believe that I have quality to reach the top spot in the upcoming year or, you know, whatever, next couple of years, 10 years. You know, that is my lifetime goal that I've been always trying to achieve.
But I learned a lesson. If I pay too much attention on rankings, it doesn't go the right way. So I just want to improve my game. I know there is still room for improvement, and I just want to get my game in the highest possible level and results will show up.

Q. Last night you were pretty tired after playing for three hours. You're back out here less than 20 hours later. Can you talk a little bit about how you managed to recover.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, the secrets of the recovery I think I'm going to keep more myself (smiling). But, yes, I was surprised in a way that I could move so well on the court today. I was a bit skeptical after a long match yesterday and a late finish.
But it wasn't just me that I'm in that situation. It was Davydenko, as well, who played the late match afterwards. It's not easy, but you just have to get used to it because this is the way it is.

Q. Here is a fun question since you're a man full of fun. Three presents every night, so 10 days makes it 30 presents.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: At least (laughter).

Q. So how do you handle the presents usually? Do you have enough packing space?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: There is so many letters and so many presents and souvenirs that I got from Chinese fans. Not just Chinese, but worldwide, and here especially in front of the hotel.
I don't know. I'll try to keep them all, you know, and treat them in the same way. I really do appreciate their support. I was saying, I was mentioning on the court a couple of times that I haven't experienced that ever in my career. Kids, as well adults, waiting for me to 20, 30 hours, over the night. I mean, this just shows how much respect and appreciation they have for you as an individual.

Q. How do you feel being the winner, especially being the last man standing again after a long, long time?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Oh, long, long time (smiling).
Well, I feel very happy. As I was saying, I didn't manage to win couple of finals, but I've done it now. End up the season the way I started it, with a win in a big event. So it's a great boost up for upcoming season.

Q. Do you have a driver's license?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes.

Q. What will you do with the car you win today?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I will drive (smiling).

Q. It seems that the top four players are all very, very strong in defense as well, not only in offense. It's very hard to get a point against you. The players have to go five, six, even more shots. Is that something that you particularly worked on or it just came? If so, when did it come?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: In general, my game is based on the baseline. I'm playing the aggressive style of the game. But throughout the years you learn to be more patient and you gain that experience that you play the right shots at the important moments. Just probably the mental ability to cope with the pressure in the certain moments is something that you, as well, get playing in the ATP Tour through the years.
It's not easy on the start. You know, there is many players who are playing offensive and defensive. But I think today's tennis is based on baseline players more than on the serve and volley. You cannot see any more like you could see 15, 20 years ago with Sampras, you know, Becker, Rafter, Ivanisevic, with the big serves. You don't get a lot of those these days because - I don't know why. But there is great returners. The balls are going faster and faster.
But still physically you have to be very fit. But probably the difference between the top guys and the rest is that you can cope with the pressure. You know, the bottom line is that this is a very mental sport.

Q. I saw that the trainer came in after the match. Did you hurt yourself a little bit while celebrating your victory?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, I hurt myself. I made a pretty big cut on my hand when I was celebrating with my team (smiling). I was bleeding during the ceremony. I didn't know what to do, you know. I called the trainer a couple of times. I wanted to retire (laughter).
No, no. This is just a slight cut. But you don't feel the pain in the moments of happiness.

End of FastScripts

결승전 다비덴코 결승 기자회견 영상

Q. 20 minutes into the match and you were 0-5 down. Is that because he played fantastic or you played poorly?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: He play very good. We play both from baseline. I try to control, but he play fast. You know, he didn't play like one ball fast; he played like every point, very good concentration completely first set. Because he didn't make so much mistake. Good serve, good return.
Okay, it's different because I don't say I was perfect, but for me first set was 30% first serve. It's no good first serve. That's was maybe I have -- from baseline I have no chance. He play much faster and I have no chance.

Q. This was the very first final you ever played in any of the major tournaments. Were you feeling a bit nervous, considering you played quite well yesterday?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, no, no, no. Normally I never by final nervous. Doesn't matter which finals, Masters Cup or normal tournament. I really surprising, now today was for me, I don't know, like 15 or 16 finals in tournaments. Really was different and difficult, like feeling not so perfect like in Miami and other tournaments.
I lose already like three finals. Now it's four for me. But, you know, against Djokovic you need to be perfect, you know, also play very fast and very good. That's what he did, and I didn't.

*** 영상 시작부분 ***

Q. Can you talk about getting to the finals of the Masters Cup and not facing Federer. Is that a different sort of feeling for you to get to the final and not face Federer?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Federer was not in semifinal and I was. Also I was in final (smiling). Federer didn't win Masters this year. I won one: Miami (smiling). Okay, he won US Open, but who cares US Open (laughter).
Yeah, Federer is Federer. You know, he was already No. 1 player many years. Yeah, very good. He can't be all life play very good, you know. Some comes really young players, 21, 22 years old. Also fast, very good concentration, physically better.
Because I see Federer is not so physically, in the moment, not be perfect. That's was, yeah, other player have more chance beat him.

Q. You mentioned on many occasions that the key factors of your victory is to be positive. It seemed you were negative in the whole match today. Have you ever tried to persuade yourself to be positive?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, was very difficult, you know, if you losing 5-0 to be positive (laughter).
But now I'm positive, yeah. You know, if you see you have no chance of beginning set, you try, doesn't help you anything. You already feeling you're for sure hundred percent losing, it's very difficult to be positive. You try, try till in the end, you know.
I have chance, you know, in the second set, but I know I have no chance playing from baseline, what my key. Normally I play very fast and very good control, and today I didn't. Djokovic, yeah, play very good.
For me I think was today a very difficult day.

Q. When there is Federer and Nadal you were No. 3, and when Novak Djokovic make it No. 3 you are No. 4. Now we have Andy Murray and you are No. 5. So you're always the best player besides the big somebodies.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You think next year I be No. 6, No. 7, 8.

Q. My question is, are you satisfied with this position, or do you make it your mind to be the big somebody yourself?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Maybe I need to change something, you know. I don't know really. I don't know now what I need to change, but we'll see.
Yeah, I want to be also much better, not to be No. 5, No. 4, No. 3, No. 6, 7, 8. It's really, I can beat Nadal, I can beat Djokovic or another players. But you need something, you know, to beat these guys. That's was in the future I try to find this key to beat these guys.
You know, it's not only by small tournament. It's important by Grand Slam, because there is very big points. There is big tournaments. That's was in four Grand Slam tournaments, if you make very good result is there coming your ranking, and there you finishing in best position.

Q. Can you talk a little bit more about when you broke back in the second set for 5-5, what happened in the next game. Seemed like Djokovic was really getting angry and the momentum was on your side.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, he was just nervous. He want to finish by 6-4. But I see he try to get faster to play points, and he make some mistakes. I also did so many mistakes like this. I see, I feeling. But I know if he just, you know, concentration go down. And baseline, today he play much better baseline.
Doesn't matter how he play one game; he still good concentration for next game. That's was I lost everything from baseline. He play faster, and I really have no chance.

Q. Who do you think will be No. 1 at the end of next year?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I want to be, but... (Smiling).
It's difficult say. Nadal, Federer. I really surprising Nadal now No. 1 because he make good result by clay court and won Wimbledon, yeah. But, what, next year anybody can be who stay in top 10.
If you see, Simon be No. 20 and now could make result good final Madrid and coming in top 10, coming here, play very good here. You never know. Some young players can play very good.

*** 영상 끝 ***

Q. You said you wanted to change something to get better. This week you said your volleys are not very good. Is maybe that something you can work on for next season?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Practice, practice. I'm really tired from practice. Maybe a sign something, give me some power, I don't know, to feeling I can beat everyone. It's also mental. Because we practice every day. You know, everybody practicing, but only guy No. 1 in the world, yeah.
It's really, yeah, I would say need volley, good serve, everything. But you can't practice always and only practice volley and come to tournament and say, Okay, I practicing volley and can play volley very good. It's difficult.
That's it. Okay, next questions (smiling).

Q. What came to your mind first after the last point? This is your fourth time in Shanghai. Can you name one thing which impressed you most?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Where?

Q. Here in Shanghai, Masters Cup.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Here in the stadium or in the city?

Q. In the city.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: In the city surprise me prices. It's cheaper here.
In the stadium, you know, for me it's a very interesting tournament because just only top eight players here. So good organization make just for top players. By experience, from my experience, it's very interesting, very nice. Every week we play tournaments. We know different tournaments. We know how is make organization there and there, and by Grand Slam.
But here in China, like I was playing Beijing, it's also very good. I hope next year Shanghai still like Masters tournament, in the same club. I think be the same how make organization for top eight is can be for 64 players.

** 여기서부턴 완전 농담 따먹기 ** (원래 이런 캐릭터였던 거야? 시니컬한 개그 -_-)b )

Q. What came to your mind first after the last point?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: What's on my mind in last point? Oh, in my mind I was, Oh, great, I already finishing this season (laughter).

Q. In the 10th game of the second set when Novak was 30-40 down, he bounced the ball 17 times before his serve and it was a fault.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: That's short for him because before he did many. He can do 50 also.

Q. Then 11 more times and double-faulted. Do you laugh to yourself in your heart, Don't do that again?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, I was laughing because, you know, it's happening. It's really happening. Because in final you are nervous. You know, you winning. You feeling now you win tournament, you have a chance now, finishing by serve. Make double-fault, did mistake. That's was for me is normal. For him I think also. It's everybody can do like this.
But what I can say? It's just not every match. It's important match like here in the finals.

Q. A couple of years ago you played like 30 tournaments, many matches. This year you reduced a little bit.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Why a little bit? 22, it's less.

Q. How will you plan your future?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: 30 tournaments coming back. You know, I try to play more. I don't know why, but maybe I like it, still play more tournaments. Because I can practicing in the tournament. Good concentration, feeling I am still in the tournament. Next week try to make better result and better.

Q. Let's talk about your sponsors. We see you have two sponsors. Your current sponsors are all from China.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: When is starting I have sponsors from China? Maybe in the future.

Q. Li Ning.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, not yet. I don't have already. Ljubicic have Li Ning.

Q. You did a good job in this Masters Cup . Do you think that will help you to --
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: -- to change from mine to Li Ning (laughter).

Q. Does that give you the potential to have more sponsors?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: More sponsors? You think here, here, everywhere? (Pointing to his shoulders ) You know, if ATP change rules, we can put everywhere. It's no problem. I can also cut here and put some sponsors? (Pointing to the side of his head).
In the rule, we can't. You can have only two or three. That's difficult. That's ask question to ATP, why we don't have too much sponsors on the T-shirts.

End of FastScripts