MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 7, 2022

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/N. Djokovic

6-7, 7-5, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I know you spent some time in practice, but what was it like facing him today? What made him such a tough opponent?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, congrats to him. He held his nerves very well. For somebody of his age to play so maturely and courageously is impressive. He deserved to win.

I had a lot of chances, and it was a fantastic match. Great battle. But I am definitely disappointed with not being able to use my chances in the second set. Third set I had a lot of breakpoints.

Just, yeah, wasn't able to capitalize when it mattered. He did. Congrats to him.

Q. The defeat might never be pleasant for Novak Djokovic, but are there some positives you are going to take out from the way you played in this match and at the tournament on the whole?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I definitely played very good tennis, I mean, the best that I have played this year. Probably when the disappointment of losing this match passes, I will have a lot of positives to take away from this week.

Q. Is there a specific point you would like to replay that at this moment you feel, maybe the return on the backhand today?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, yeah. Many times I gave him free points there. His kick and altitude here is huge, and it was just difficult to deal with his ball, and I wasn't feeling my return from that side, you know. He was serving a lot of kick just to put himself in a good position. I just didn't manage to handle that well.

Q. I don't know if you are aware yet, but are you going into Rome with more confidence and the fact that your shape is going to be back where you want it to be for Paris, or are you...

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think it's on the good path, definitely.