NITTO ATP FINALS

November 14, 2022

Novak Djokovic

Pala Alpitour, Torino

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/S. Tsitsipas

6-4, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How hard is it to be sort of a part-time superstar? You're playing parts of the year, then not playing for huge chunks, then you turn it on at a pretty high level.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I can say that this year was different from all the other years that I had on the tour. Very unusual for the circumstances obviously that occurred, particularly in first couple months of the year.

It was tough for me to really find a balance that I need to play the best tennis with everything that was happening off the court, you know, post Australia.

But I think towards the end of the clay season, I started really playing the way I want to play, at the level that is desired.

Wimbledon was such an important tournament for me, and it always comes really, throughout my career, at exactly the time that I need it to come. Obviously a successful tournament and title-winning tournament. It was a huge relief, but at the same time also a huge boost of confidence.

I feel like all the tournaments I played after Wimbledon were played at a high level. I won two out of three and played finals at the third, which was Bercy last week. I started off this tournament well.

Generally I like playing indoors. I mean, historically I've had some great results indoors. I think the experience of playing in altitude, in these kind of conditions last year, also helped me to have a better preparation this year.

All the players said it: every match is finals here, there's no clear favorites to be honest. You got to be really sharp from the start. That was the case tonight for me.

Q. A couple of weeks ago you spoke with some journalist in Serbia and said your lawyers are actually dealing with Australia to see if it's possible to go there. Have you got any update for us?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, nothing official yet. We are waiting. They are communicating with the government of Australia. That's all I can tell you for now.

Q. If you win the title here, you equal Federer's record of six. How much of a focus is that for you? Is that on your mind at all?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, of course, I'm aware of it. Making history of this sport is always a big motivational factor for me. I mean, doesn't maybe necessarily affect the whole approach to the specific match because I'm experienced enough and I know myself well and what I need to do in order to prepare for my next challenge and next opponent.

But of course I'm aware of the possibility to make history again. It's a great pleasure and honor to be in that position. So it does motivate me and inspire me to play even better tennis.

Q. About your performance today, you didn't lose your serve. You keep the same intensity all the time. What was the most positive for you? Was there anything negative in this performance?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I started off the match very well. I knew that there's probably going to be a lot of easy-won service games from both him and I because the conditions are such where there's an altitude, it's fast, it's very difficult to return.

If you're serving well, if you're hitting your spots well, being precise, you win a lot of free points. That was the case.

From the very beginning I knew that with the big servers like him, you maybe have a good chance to maybe in the first or second service game of your opponent, who serves well, get some opportunities. That was the case.

It was presented to me. I was really sharp and focused. I used the chance. Obviously that affects the whole game. Even if it's the first game, I knew it was on his mind. I just wanted to be consistent and keep serving well, which I did.

I closed out the match in the tiebreak with the two big serves, which always helps. I managed to read his serve in the tiebreak when I needed to. I made some great passing shots.

It was a game, again, a match decided by small margins really. Not much has separated the two of us. I knew that coming into the match that's going to be the case.

There are not many negatives actually, other than maybe hopefully trying to get more serves in on my return games and trying to make my opponent play.

Again, I can't pick that as a negative if somebody is serving as well as Tsitsipas and picking his spots. It's tough to be in the rally most of the time.

Very solid from back of the court. Just made him play. Served well. Returned some important points when I needed to. Great performance overall.