MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 6, 2022

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/H. Hurkacz

6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Obviously this victory is something so not new for Novak, but understanding what you have been through in terms of tennis this year, to grab two controlling wins against very quality players and to be able to play in conclusive ways at such a high-level tournament, what does it mean for you?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's definitely a positive indication that I am on the right track in terms of getting to the desired level of tennis, being in one of the best tournaments in the world where all the best players are playing.

Of course it does give me confidence, and it encourages me to keep going, you know. I think in terms of performance today, it was very solid. Two breaks each set. One break was sufficient to win against Hubert, who is top-10 player and of course always a tricky player to play against. Big serve.

Conditions today, hotter, ball bounces high. Of course when you're playing a big guy with a big serve, it's never easy to return. But I think particularly in the second set I was serving well, putting myself in a good position to break his serve. When the opportunities were presented, I used them.

I have a lot of positives to take from the last couple of days. Of course on to the next round, and I'm ready for another good performance.

Q. Two questions. You didn't face any breakpoints. You looked pretty confident with your serve. And secondly, the walkover of Murray was beneficial for you in the way that you have more days to rest?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think I served better, also better than I did in the first match. When you are playing on a hot day where the ball is bouncing high, of course when you are serving well on this particular day in these conditions it helps a lot your overall game, the rest of your game.

Knowing that I haven't faced a breakpoint of course gave me more confidence to go for some shots on the return games, you know, and you feel a bit more relaxed. So that's always an encouraging, positive thing for your game.

I mean, I wanted to play, of course I want to play more tennis. So for me, okay, you know, Murray did not show up on the match because he had health issues, and this happens in sport and it's not the first time somebody gave me walkover. I used this opportunity to train and to recover and gather the energy for the competition for the next match. That's all it is.

Q. I wanted some thoughts on Carlos Alcaraz. We don't know if you are going to play him or not, but there has been a lot of talk about him and a lot of hype around him. Naomi Osaka also told us that she feels she's brought so much new energy and excitement to the ATP Tour. In your eyes, what's special about him?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, there is a lot of things that are special about him. I mean, he has broken a lot of records as the youngest player, top 10, obviously in the recent decades, because we had some amazing champions like Michael Chang when he was 16, you know, won a slam and so forth.

But, you know, nowadays we are not used to seeing somebody who is teenager and already getting to top 10 and playing on such a high level. His growth, his improvement, and his journey particularly the last six months has been amazing.

He's very nice guy off the court. I got a little bit of chance to practice with him and to spend a bit of time off the court with him around here in Madrid and last week, and I must say that in all fronts, on and off the court, he's (indicating two thumbs up) great.

I love to watch him play, as a lot of other players on the tour. I praise his game without a doubt. He's fantastic for our sport, no doubt. I think it's great that we have a young player who is doing so well and giving a new fresh breath to the tennis world.

Seeing that and knowing that he's a very nice guy, very humble with good values, is a perfect combination.

Q. I have to ask you about Rafa in case you do play him. Like we spoke last time, it's been a while since you have been in the same tournament. At this point in your career, what does it mean to you to still be able to face Rafa at a big tournament?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I mean, facing Rafa on any tournament, regardless of the size of the tournament, is a special treat, biggest rival of my career, I said that before, for many reasons. One of them, I mean, obviously playing him so many times.

It's maybe an ultimate challenge that you have in sport, playing him on clay. I look forward to a great battle.

Q. You said very positive things for both of them, but do you have some preferences? Do you want one more match with Rafa here or first match with Alcaraz?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No preference. I focus on myself.