MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 3, 2022

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/G. Monfils

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You saved five breakpoints and converted three breakpoint chances. As always, you played really great in the most significant moments. How do you rate your performance?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I would probably rate it as the best performance of the year, I would say. I felt very good on the court. Interruption probably helped me a bit more than him.

Conditions of the training days in the last three days were different than what we experienced tonight. It was slower, and obviously because of the rain it was heavier court and more clay.

You know, I played one of the most athletic and quickest players that we have in the game, Gael. I know his game very well. I know I have to always be ready that another ball will always come back from his part of the court, that you have to constantly try to have a controlled aggression, so to say, and dictate the point.

It was really close I think in the first set up to interruption. I saved some breakpoints coming back. When I made a break on 3-2, I felt a relief and I started to play on a high level in general. I think I was moving well, dictating with the forehand side, moving him around the court and finding my serve also the last few service games, return.

Just generally very, very good performance. I'm very pleased, considering, you know, that up to today I was not playing my best tennis in the few tournaments that I played this year and still kind of finding my rhythm, finding my groove.

Q. You either get Denis or Andy next. I'd like to ask you about Andy first. Have you seen much of him this year playing? What do you make of his game at the moment? And then a few words on Denis, please.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I have seen a few of his matches, actually I saw some of his match from last night with Dominic. He's moving well, playing better and better. It's really fantastic to see, because he's an important player for our game. He's made his mark in the history of our sport by winning multiple slams and gold medals and No. 1 of the world. He's one of the most important names that we have.

To have him still compete is great, and to have him even play at the high level as the time goes by is impressive, considering the surgery and what he has been through in the last few years. His resilience and fighting spirit is really inspiring.

It's going to be a good match between the two of the guys. Let's see. I mean, I'm going to be ready for whoever.

Q. And Denis?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Denis, I mean, you know, for me, one of the best serves that we have in our sport, considering the fact that he's not as tall as maybe Opelka or Isner, I mean. He's got super good serve. He can hit any angle. He's got the variety of kick, slice, flat. He's got really one of the best serves I think.

He's very dynamic player. You know, he plays with a lot of energy, and he's always encouraging himself, which is great to see. He believes that he can win against the top guys, which is why he's top 10, top 15 for quite a while.

Clay is probably not his most successful surface, I mean, in his career, but he's had some great matches. I think with Rafa he's had some match points in Rome last year. He's showing that he can play equally well on that surface. I mean, with that serve, with that forehand, and really dynamic movement, he's all-around player on all surfaces, so of course he's always very dangerous player to play against.

Q. I want to know comparing to your last match in Belgrade, which are the amazing improvements that you feel you had in today's match?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's hard to compare the matches obviously. Here is altitude, different conditions. In Belgrade, you know, I played finals coming off from three matches where I played long three sets, and physically a little bit exhausted and drained. Unfortunately in the third set that was deciding factor, you know, to lose the match.

But here, first match of the tournament, I had a week, ten days to get ready for this match, and for this tournament I have done everything I possibly can to build my fitness and also improve on all aspects of the game, on the court.

I'm really glad that it paid off, because I felt good on the court. It's the right process, and it's the right direction.

Q. There was a time when the norm was that you and Rafa are always in the same draw in the same tournament. But then this is actually the first time you both are in the same tournament since last year's French Open, which is crazy to think, I feel.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah.

Q. Of course I understand why, but for you, does the tournament feel differently when Rafa is in it? Do you perhaps look at the draw right away to see where he landed? Does it affect your even media commitment? How does it affect you if Rafa is in the draw or not?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, of course it affects, because he's my greatest rival of all time. You're right. I mean, I wasn't thinking about this, but we have not been in the same draw for a while. You know, things are changing. We have young players, and we are both trying to do our best to compete for the top spots of the world.

I think we are still going strong, so it's nice to see that.