INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 15, 2021

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/S. Tsitsipas

4-6, 7-5, 7-5

(ATP Flash Interview)

Q. You've been world No. 1 longer than anyone. You just showed us why.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: There are many things to say about today's or yesterday's match. Kind of felt like we played two matches. We did. One yesterday, obviously where he was the better player. He started better also today. I managed somehow to hold my nerves, break his serve in the important moments in the second and third set.

Support of the crowd was amazing. It was great to play in front of the crowd. It was a bit of luck, a bit of mental strength, right tactics at the right time. But one shot, not even a point, one shot decided the winner today.

Q. How big was the struggle from Stefanos? How much admiration do you have? How deep did you need to dig?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Very deep. Without a doubt, until the last shot, I didn't know whether I was going to win. But I believed that I can. You can always fight and give your best, let the god decide who takes the win.

I mean, he was playing well. He's in a fantastic shape, obviously winning Monte-Carlo, coming off a finals in Barcelona. He started well. As I said, he was the better player yesterday. Different conditions today, ball bouncing a bit more, coming to you. Yesterday was pretty slow, the court.

I'm just really, really glad to overcome this challenge. It's the toughest match of the year for me so far.

Q. How do you find the energy to go again later?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: You have to. That's why I'm here. It's why I'm training. I haven't played too many matches this year. I don't feel too exhausted, to be honest. Let's see how I feel later on on the court. Hope to get another win today.