THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 27, 2022

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/S. Kwon

6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: How does it feel to be back on Centre Court?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Great. It's always very unique match to play as the defending champion, first on the grass. Other than this year that Wimbledon made a change so you could practice before the tournament starts, it was always coming out on the untouched grass. It's really a unique and special feeling in our sport.

Yeah, it was nice to be back. I think it was a good win against a player who is very talented. He has a lot of quality from both forehand and backhand corner. I did not start or did not play at my best, but I think when I needed to find the right shots, I did. I think serve got me out of trouble in some decisive moments. I know I can do better.

But for the first match, I'm pleased and I'll keep going.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You posted a great video clip on Instagram last night of some trampoline troubles with your team. The caption said, At the end, Stefan says, How come you don't know how to put together a trampoline and you're competing at Wimbledon? Do you think Stefan can be a little bit harsh with you sometimes or does he expect a lot from you, given your achievements?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think you can't argue with a child's honesty and pure no-filter comments, right?

For him anyone playing in Wimbledon is a superhero. He did not only direct that to me but the entire team. For him, everyone in my team is playing in Wimbledon. He saw these big guys that have muscles, my fitness coach, tennis coach, and he couldn't understand how is it that we can't fix a trampoline and we're playing at Wimbledon. It was a really funny, funny comment.

Yeah, Stefan was there today. It's always special for me the feeling to play in front of my son. I didn't have too many opportunities in my life to have that kind of sensation and experience. It's always very unique.

Q. Are there any numbers you look at to gauge whether you're playing the proper style for this surface, making the transfer from clay to grass, or is it just feel? Are there specific statistics you look at after a match to take a measure of it?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I look more at the stats of my next opponents rather than my own stats, to be honest. It's really more about feeling on the court that I have, the movement, timing, and just trying to get better rhythm overall in every shot.

Like really with any other surface, particularly on grass, you just need to play more matches in order to get that match play. Because it's completely different playing points at the practice session and walking out on the Centre Court and actually playing an official match, nerves kick in and everything that you are going through, of course.

Early rounds, your opponents don't have much to lose so they're going to go for it more, believing they can get the scalp. Of course from your side you're trying to get into groove. I did not have any lead-up tournaments or preparation matches, official match, prior to Wimbledon. It's always going to be a bit rusty I think the first couple matches for me.

I'm pleased with the win today against an opponent that I felt was feeling the ball pretty well from the baseline. It was really difficult to get past him the ball. He was always there. He was playing flat. Just ball was coming fast and low. He really made me work for the win.

Q. How did you feel you were received today both on Centre Court as you walked out and in general since you've been in this country? I ask in the context when you were headline news in January. A lot of people wondered how would you be received at Wimbledon. Was it any different or normal?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I was very pleasantly surprised, I mean, in a positive way. I felt support. Of course, the crowd was engaged in the match. They supported both players. I thought they were very fair to me.

I enjoyed my time very much on the court.

Q. You admitted yourself you didn't play your best game today. John McEnroe was watching. He wondered if so soon after being one match away from a calendar slam, everything that went on in Australia, Rafa winning, moving ahead, he wondered as a human being you feel bummed out by everything that's gone on. Have you felt bummed out?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I never used that expression so I don't know exactly what it means. I can assume what it means (smiling).

Yes and no. Yes, because I've experienced something that I've never experienced in my life in Australia. So this post-Australian period of next several months was challenging emotionally for me because of a lot of different factors.

In terms of my motivation on the court, fulfilling my everyday chores, trying to win more titles and be one of the contenders for more Grand Slams, it hasn't changed much, to be honest. I try to keep it together with the team in such way where we stick to the routines that we know that work for us.

But, of course, the sensation coming back on the court with everything that happened post-Australia, particularly first few tournaments, was different. It was a different feel. Not very pleasant to me.

Right now I don't feel the traces of that, so to say, any more. I move on. I play tournament by tournament. I try to make the most out of experience.

Q. Over the years you've had some incredible battles with Roger Federer. He's not here this year. Can you sort of think back to some of those and reflect on the relationship that you've had with him over the years.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: As with Rafa, nothing but respect for these guys. Of course, both of them have influenced my development as a tennis player a lot, probably more than any other players.

The most iconic matches I have played in Wimbledon were against Roger, no doubt. The one that stands out is the finals in 2019, then another two finals in '14 and '15. Luckily for me all of those matches I won. All of those matches I think went five sets, except I think in the '15.

It's pretty much similar like with Nadal. Every time you step on the court with Roger, you feel it's not an ordinary match. There's so much more weight to everything that is around that match, the anticipation, the rivalry.

Most of the times that I was facing Roger here was at least semifinals or finals of the tournament. So, of course, fighting for trophy adds more expectations and significance to that matchup.

So, of course, it's an ultimate challenge in sport playing probably Roger on grass and Rafa on clay. Those two guys have made very impressive careers on those surfaces.

Q. After Wimbledon you might not play another major for 11 months. You said that that can be a source of motivation for you. Does that play into your mind on the court at all? Is that adding to the pressure at all?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I'm aware that the circumstances are such at this moment, that that's the case, as you mentioned. Of course, I guess that motivates me more to try to make the most out of this tournament.

I'm not really in my thoughts so far ahead. I'll see how it goes, I guess, after Wimbledon. Not much time after Wimbledon before US Open. I'm hoping some things can change and that I'll be able to go and compete. I would want to. But it is what it is at the moment.

My thoughts and attention is here.

Q. 22 wins in a row for you in Wimbledon. 21 wins out of 22 for Matteo Berrettini on grass. Should we say not too bad?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I was waiting for that (laughter).

Yeah, well, what would you like me to answer to that?

Q. Up to you.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Something about Berrettini? Because you're Italian, I guess you want to hear something about him (smiling).

Q. Yes.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean, he is definitely top two, three players in the world on grass in the last three years. I mean, his results are testament to that. He has made amazing comeback after a few months' absence from the tour with an injury. To win the way he did in Germany and in Queen's is very impressive.

It doesn't surprise me much because we know that he has got big game, big weapon, serve, forehand. He's got a very good touch.

He will say better, but probably this is his favorite surface. For his game it's the most suitable surface. So, yeah, I think there is a lot of expectations on his side that he should go far in this tournament.

But, of course, I think he has more experience now, playing Wimbledon finals last year. I think he was saying he'll have a bit more comfort if he gets to another finals, knowing how he would feel. It's really one of those things that you have to experience in order to understand how to approach it every next time and get the win.

As for my results here in Wimbledon, I mean, I'm blessed to have these results because - I've said this before - Wimbledon is my favorite tournament, the dream tournament. Childhood dreams were realized here in 2011. I will never forget that. It will always have a special place in my heart.

Of course every time I step out there on the court, there is this goose bumps type of feeling, butterflies in the stomach, because of the significance in my life and in my career.