DAVIS CUP FINALS

November 26, 2021

Dusan Lajovic

Team Serbia

Press Conference

D. LAJOVIC/G. Melzer

7-6, 3-6, 7-5

Serbia - 1

Austria - 0

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How pleased are you to win the first point for Serbia?

DUSAN LAJOVIC: Well, obviously the match was not as I was expecting it to be. He had a really good quality of tennis. I didn't see him for a long time because he was injured, then coming back. I didn't know what to expect.

Also we were thinking that Jurig will play the singles. For us it was change in the last moment. I was able to win the match, which is the most important.

Regarding the match itself, I think that my position on the return for the most part of the match was not really in a good way. Actually, in the beginning of the third set I went back a little bit. This helped me to gain more control in the rallies.

Last couple of weeks I've been playing good from the baseline, close to the baseline. Today it was just not possible because he was serving good with the left hand. There was the biggest difference from what I was doing on the court before.

Today I was able to clutch in the last moment. I think it's very important to start off the day with 1-0, especially because Novak is having a little bit less pressure. Obviously the doubles, as well.

For us it's important to start strong in the group, especially because this is our first match, then we're playing against Germany, who is going to be their first match tomorrow. They're going to be feeling that pressure which we are today.

I think everything is composing itself. I'm happy that I brought that first point for Serbia.