INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 12, 2022

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/S. Wawrinka

6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Do you think Stan isn't really ready yet for the highest level or do you think you played particularly solid today?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, first of all, it's great to see the big champion like Stan back, winning two matches after a long time. We all know how important he is for our sport in the last 10 years, winning three slams, being established top-five, top-10 player for many years.

Only he knows how difficult it was with all the surgeries and injuries he had to deal with. So of course you can see on the court that he's slower than he was when he was playing at his best. I'm sure with his team he's doing his best to get himself in the best shape, but it takes time. It's also match play versus practice sessions, completely different.

I felt I played solid with a lot of discipline from the beginning, made him move. On the other hand I wish that Stan comes back to the desired level, for sure. At the moment I think movement is different. You can see he's slower.

Q. Strangely you never played against Auger-Aliassime. What do you expect from the match?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I never played him?

Q. No.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I thought I did, sorry (laughter).

Q. You know more than me.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, thanks. There are not many players that I never played. Interesting. He's been around for a few years. Interesting we never faced each other. You're right.

Well, clay's not his favorite surface. I think he's been improving a lot on clay. He's been working with Toni Nadal for last couple years, who has definitely been contributing to his game on clay.

He's an established top-20, top-10 player for few years. Very complete game. Very nice guy. Works hard. He's one of the leaders of the next generation.

We're going to play at night, I think. That's what the schedule is. It's going to be different conditions. Hopefully I can get another win.