Q. You seem to have reached an agreement with your new racquet.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes. Well, it's always good to win and then things go a little bit smoother from then on.
But still, of course, not 100% comfortable with it. But it takes time, you know, mentally to make that switch as well. I'm confident about the future.
Q. How long were you able to practice with it before?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Couple weeks. Not really much. I been -- it's a hard, very hard thing to do. Probably the most difficult decision in tennis, switching the racquet when things are going good and with the way I finished the season.
Then I decided even before that to change the racquet, so I was testing for a couple months here and there. But Head and Wilson are the two biggest companies in the sport, and they have some differences. They try to make the racquet as best as possible, you know, to my wishes.
They did a good job. They're really trying. So even though the racquet is the same practically, it takes time mentally to be able to get used to something new.
Q. How much more comfortable are you with it this week than last week?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: A lot more. A lot more. I didn't have a lot have practice before my match in Brisbane and didn't get used to the conditions, jet lag and a lot of things involved.
Here it's a different story, so very happy to get a couple matches under my belt here. Hopefully I can be ready for the most important event here in Australia.
Q. There was a little bit of criticism about how you played in Brisbane. How do you react to that?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, it's normal that if you lose everybody has to say something about it. Everybody has a right to say whatever they want. I know what I do, and I'll try to do it as best as I can and practice hard and try to make good results.
Q. It was very hot on court today.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It was very hot. I think this day was the hottest since I came to Australia.
Q. Ever?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Not ever, just this year. But they're the conditions that you have. You have to get used to them, because it's the same for everybody.
Q. Seems like you wanted to get off the court as quick as possible today.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, as I said after the match, it's always good to win easy on a day like this.
Q. Are you happy with the way you played today?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes. I served well throughout most of the match. I was more or less happy with my consistency thought the match. I wasn't really having a lot of ups and downs. It was one high level of the game, and really didn't give him any chance to think that he can come back.
Q. When it's as hot as this, is it more difficult to keep concentration?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it is. Everybody is trying to keep their focus 100% throughout the match, but it's not possible. I mean, everybody is human and normal. Everybody is -- reacts on different kind of things.
Of course, it's absolutely normal that you have some ups and downs during the match and during the tournament, but if you're able to overcome that then you are a champion.
Q. Thoughts on playing Ancic next.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: We played a couple of times before, and I know him really well, like he knows me. He's been very unlucky with his health in the last couple of years. That's too bad, because he's a great, great player and great talent, and a great, great person as well. Good friend of mine.
But I'm happy that he's coming back. He's -- looking at the results he's been playing really well here and he feels comfortable, so I expect a tough match.
Q. Do you feel like Mathieu was affected by the heat today?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Think we all are, so...
I think we are we all are.
Q. More than you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don't know really. You have to ask him.
Q. Players often say it's harder to defend a title. How do you see your prospects going into the Australian Open?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, I know -- I'm aware of the pressure and expectations that are behind me as the defending champion.
But, look, on the brighter side, I will have big challenge in front of me. Look, I will have to get used to that if I want to stay in the top of the men's tennis.
Hopefully I'm going to be a couple of times in this situation as a defending champion.
End of FastScripts
▶ 09.01.15 8강, N. DJOKOVIC/M. Ancic 6-3, 6-4
Q. Nice to get that one out of way tonight?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, well, that is what I was thinking would be better for both of us, whoever wins the match, to end up tonight so he can rest for the semifinal.
Q. Was it frustrating waiting through the long rain delay?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it is. You're warming up the muscles and then you're getting cold. On and off the court for a couple of times isn't really the best thing for your body and for your physical condition.
It was the same for both of us. We just had to accept it. I think as a winner I can say it's much better to finish tonight.
Q. It was a Serbia/Croatia match. What do you think of the crowd's behavior?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, it was very unusual atmosphere for a tennis match. But after what we have seen between fans of those two countries in the last couple of years, we could expect something closely like this.
Look, you got to understand, that's the way they're trying to support their player and their country. For them, this is the only way they can really express their feelings for their country.
On the other hand, I know they can be disturbing and overreact, and the players and the crowd and the rest the people don't like it.
But that's the way it is.
Q. At the end the January there is an auction, a charity of your memorabilia. Can you tell us about it.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I mean, I'm not informed about it. I'm sorry.
End of FastScripts
▶ 09.01.16 4강, J. NIEMINEN/N. Djokovic 6-4, 7-6
Q. Just your general feelings on the match.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, obviously disappointed, you know, whenever I lose. I'm disappointed about the match today. There was a lot of wind, difficult conditions. He played better and deserved to win.
Q. You had a shot at No. 2 today. Did that make the loss a little bit tougher?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No.
Q. What were your thoughts going into the tiebreaker?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I didn't change much. Obviously I had -- I was thinking about those breakpoints, missed opportunities.
Q. Besides the break points, anything that just didn't work for you today?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: My forehand didn't really work today, and you could see in all the important moments he served to my forehand and I couldn't put the ball in.
Just a bad day.
Q. People are always going to bring up the racquet now. Like every time you have a loss they're going bring up the racquet. Still no problem adjusting with your racquet?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No. I don't want to talk about it now. Just trying to focus on Australian Open.
Q. So what are your general feelings going in now? You've had a couple weeks of play. Is your game where you want it to be?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, not 100%, but getting there. I needed a couple matches here. That's why I came to Sydney. Hopefully I can get into my shape from last year for Melbourne.
Q. Had your family at the Australian Open last year. Are they going to come this year?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Unfortunately not.
Q. You had a chance to look at your draw?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No.
Q. How are your confidence levels after a match like that going Melbourne?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's always great to win a tournament prior to a Grand Slam, but he was better today. You have to give him credit for that. I just hope I will maintain my high level of performance. You know, it wasn't really what I expected, especially today.
But, you know, we keep on going.
Q. It has to be a completely different feeling now going into a Grand Slam defending it for the first time. Just talk about that.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, this is a first-time experience. Try to accept it as a positive challenge. Obviously if I want to be on the top I have to -- I have to, well, accept the pressure of the defending champion.
Q. Other than just finding your rhythm in your game, are there any other things you have to do? Do you feel like when you get there you have to play more aggressive, solid? What are you looking for?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, all the things have to come together, you know. It's the start of the season and still adjusting on some things and haven't played a match in a while.
So everybody starts a bit slowly. Hopefully it's going to come back.
Q. Do you favor this concept of pushing the Australian Open two weeks later in the year? It's been brought up by a couple guys.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, I do. I do. I think players need more attention, because, you know, health is coming in the matter of question, really. You have a lot of pull-outs, and you don't want to see that as a sponsor of the tournament or as a fan, that some of the top players of the top 10 are not coming to your events.
Tennis is by far the longest season in sport, and I think we should have -- we should do something about it in the future. But, still, it's not only about the players. It's about the tournaments.
It's about a lot of things. Hopefully we can make an agreement.
Q. After everything the players went through the last couple years trying to get a new schedule for 2009, can you imagine going back and trying to get a new calendar all over again?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don't think you can change everything from the start, from the bottom, because it takes a lot of energy and work.
As I said, it's not only about the players, tournaments, there is a lot of tradition and history everywhere around the world. You have to consider that as well.
The thing is that if you want to see the top players performing on the high level on every tournament, then we have to make an adjustable schedule.
Q. Novak, forgive me I just arrived early today. You've met with Adam Helfant personally, the ATP executive.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes.
Q. He came to see you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes.
Q. What impressed you about him?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: You know, I couldn't get a lot from the one meeting, but first impressions were positive. Hopefully he can achieve and do what he is saying that he can.