AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 17, 2022

Miomar Kecmanovic

Press Conference

M. KECMANOVIC/S. Caruso

6-4, 6-2, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Thank you for joining us. How are you feeling about the match today?

MIOMAR KECMANOVIC: I feel good. I'm happy that I was able to play well today and to have the opportunity to play another one.

Q. I understand you said to Serbia media that you wanted to do something good for Novak in terms of win this match and go through. I may have had that translated to me incorrectly. But what were your thoughts about approaching this match?

MIOMAR KECMANOVIC: I mean, I knew that I had, you know, unfortunately that he wasn't able to play and that he had to leave, you know, which left me with a lucky loser, so I knew that I had to give the best that I can and try to step up for him also.

And, yeah, I mean, I know that we cannot do much for him, especially during these two weeks that he had, but we're trying the best that we can to be there for him and to do as much as we possibly can for him to make him go through this period a little bit smoother, I guess.

Q. You're 12 years younger than Novak, but clearly he was someone you must have looked up to as well. The whole situation, how difficult is that or has it been to see this over the last 10 days?

MIOMAR KECMANOVIC: I mean, it wasn't easy, but then again, it wasn't as bad as he felt, definitely. So, I mean, in my opinion, you know, I think it wasn't handled well and things could have gone so much smoother and better for everybody. It's definitely terrible that they had to kick him out like that.

But I definitely did still look up to him. He's an amazing champion and it was tough to see that happen to him, especially since I was looking forward to playing against him on Rod Laver. You know, it was going to be a spectacular match.

But I feel terrible for him and I hope that he can come through this even more stronger.

Q. What happened with Novak, did you and other Serbian players talk about it much, talk about the issue? And after he's had all these problems, did you sort of say amongst each other that it would be great if you could all play really well and win your matches for Novak? Is that something?

MIOMAR KECMANOVIC: Yeah, of course. We definitely talked about it. It was hard to not talk about that topic since it was happening right before our matches, especially me supposed to play him also.

But, yeah, I mean, you know, we tried, we said that we're going to give everything we have, try to, say, avenge him in a way, and make him proud. I know he's our best representative, so it's definitely a shame that he's not able to participate and represent Serbia, but we're going to give the best that we can and hopefully we can make up for it in some way.

Q. Just a follow-up question on the vaccination thing. In France they're talking about people not being able to have health exemptions to be unvaccinated to go into Roland Garros and compete at another Grand Slam, and this looks like it could become the trend. I mean, is it a point where you would probably say to Novak, maybe you could consider getting vaccinated?

MIOMAR KECMANOVIC: I mean, I heard that, that we're supposed to, that there's not going to be exemptions, but then I also heard a few days ago the health minister, somebody said that there will be for tennis players.

So I honestly don't know what's going to happen, but he for sure achieved so much already and done so much for everybody, I'm sure that he's going to make the best decision for him and not take advice from a kid (laughing).