ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL

December 29, 2022

Novak Djokovic

Transcript from Recorded Audio

Q. (No microphone.)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It was actually I think a 12-10 tiebreaker. One of the longest tiebreakers I've played this year in a practice session with my friend Vasek.

It's a good atmosphere. Vasek is obviously a friend of mine off the court. Great player as well. We came in early, try to have as many hours, as many hits on the center court as possible because it's different with kind of a semi-indoor facility that is different from most of the other events like Melbourne Park, of course played outdoors mostly.

As the tournament director said, 15 years ago I won the tournament here. I was actually watching highlights this morning from playing Chris Guccione in the finals. Some great memories also from a few years ago, also playing here in exhibition event.

Hopefully we can have a packed stadium and a lot of tennis fans and have a good week.

Q. (No microphone.)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's great to be back in Australia. I mean, obviously what happened 12 months ago was not easy for me, for my family, team, anybody who's close to me. It's obviously disappointing to leave the country like that.

I was really hoping that I'm going to have my permission back to get back into Australia and play here because you -- as I was saying, it's a country where I've had tremendous success in my career, particularly in Melbourne, by far my most successful Grand Slam, won it nine times.

Adelaide, as I said, 15 years ago was one of the first professional tournaments that I won. I always felt great in Australia. I always played my best tennis, received a lot of support. Hopefully I can have another great summer.

Q. (No microphone.)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, it is. I mean, it is obviously. I'm looking forward to whatever is going to happen here in Adelaide and Melbourne. I'm here for some good tennis.

Q. (No microphone.)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: You can't forget those events. It's one of these things that sticks with you, it stays with you for I guess the rest of your life. As I said, it was something that I've never experienced before, and hopefully never again.

But it is a valuable life experience for me, something that, as I said, will stay there. But I have to move on, as I said. Coming back to Australia speaks how I feel about this country, how I feel about playing here.

Q. Why did you choose Adelaide for the lead-up to the Australian Open?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I chose Adelaide because I wanted to get a tournament ahead of Australian Open. I thought that the Union Cup [sic] was a bit too early for me, and I wanted a normal 250 event. Judging by the list of players that are playing in a 250 event, it's not really 250 event, it's maybe a 500 event or maybe a 1000. Some of the best players in the world playing here, both men and women's side.

As I said, it's a great place. People in Adelaide and generally in Australia love tennis, love sports. It's a sporting nation. Hopefully we're going to have a lot of people watching and we can have some good time.

Q. How do you think the crowd is going to react to you being here? Do you think there's going to be animosity? Are you hoping they're welcoming?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: As you said, I'm hoping they're going to be positive. It's not something I can predict. I'll do my best to play good tennis, bring good emotions and good feelings to the crowd.

This is what we do as professional athletes. We're also entertainers in a way. We try to make people who buy their tickets to come and watch us play feel good and have fun, really go back home and have some good memories. Hopefully that's going to happen with me and my matches.

I don't know how many matches I'm going to play. Obviously it's a tournament, so anything can happen. But I'm hoping I can go all the way.

Q. (No microphone.)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, I have. I've been here only two days. From the people in the hotel to airport to people at the tournament and at the club, everyone was really, really pleasant, really nice to me. We went for dinner last night, as well.

All good for now.

Q. (No microphone.)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I always have faith in myself and belief that I can win every tournament that I play on. I think with the career that I've had, I feel like I deserve to have that kind of I guess mental approach.

Things are obviously different. Lots of young guys on the tour, kind of shift of generations. But Nadal and myself, still going strong from the older guys. Obviously 2022 season was a celebration year of some of the greatest players ever to hold the racquet, like Federer and Serena Williams. It was also sad to see them retire from the sport.

I think we have some great athletes, some great players that are going to carry this game on both men and women's side in best possible way.

I know what I need to do in order to compete with them, in order to be one of the contenders for the title here and in Melbourne. The good memories and good history that I have on Australian soil gives me a lot of positive emotions and belief that I can do it again, that I can go far.

Q. (No microphone.)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean, the list of the players, the field is super strong. You have Medvedev, Felix, Rublev. You have really, really top guys. Also in the opening rounds, you can play Thanasi Kokkinakis, who is title defender, right? That could be fun actually. Playing Thanasi in front of his home fans, could be fun.

Q. (Question about tying slams with Rafa.)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Any Grand Slam win is special, of course. This is one of the biggest reasons why I'm still competing on the highest previously tennis level, trying to win the biggest events in sport. Obviously those are the majors, the 1000 events on the ATP Tour. See how far I can go.

I love tennis. I really do. Traveling I don't love as much as I used to, but it's part of our sport. I'm blessed to have - knock on wood - healthy body. As long as that's the case, as long as I have the motivation and inspiration to play on the highest level, I'll be here. Hopefully I can have a good run already this year.

Q. How do you feel about Melbourne? Is it still a city close to your heart?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Absolutely, it's close to my heart. Look, as I said, what happened 12 months ago is not easy to digest for me also for some time. At the same time I had to move on. That event or those circumstances will not replace what I have lived in Melbourne and in Australia throughout my entire career.

I come in with positive emotions, and I really look forward playing there. It's been my favorite slam, and results are proving that.

Q. (No microphone.)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I wanted to swim in the ocean. I wanted to do different things. But depends on the time. Obviously the priority is the tennis court, trying to get as many hours on the court as possible, adjust to the time zone. That is always a bit challenging, coming to Australia from Europe.

As I said, I came in a bit earlier than I would maybe normally do, and that's great. Every day counts for good preparation.

Q. (No microphone.)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I'm hoping. Last time I played tournament long time ago in Adelaide. As I said, few years ago played an exhibition event as well here on this court. It was a packed house. I see that they have upgraded the stadium. I guess 5,000 seats or so. I'm sure the atmosphere is going to be great because the field on the men's and women's side is super strong. A lot to look forward to.

Q. (No microphone.)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don't know. You tell me. I'm not sure.

Obviously I leave the commentary to other people, what they want to focus on. I know what my focus is. My focus is really to use, as I said, every single day here to be well-prepared, to carry on with a preparation, off-season preparation program, that I've been doing now for several weeks.

The goal is to peak in Melbourne. That's where I want to play my best. I guess at this stage of my career, with all the achievements, every big tournament win is possibility to make more history. Of course, that's very humbling for me. It's also a big challenge, but it's a huge motivation.

I don't lack inspiration and motivation to play my best.