AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 21, 2023

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/G. Dimitrov

7-6, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Novak, well done. How important was that first set tiebreak?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think it was as important as any other game. But I think that probably was one of the most important moments in the match. To prevail in the tiebreak and get ahead, a set ahead. Obviously being a set down or a set up is a big difference. I think mentally as well and physically.

Yeah, very close first set. I think I started the match really well, feeling good. Kind of went up and down feeling physically with my leg.

Just found a way, I guess, to win in such an exciting match, big battle, over three hours for three sets. If I lost one of these sets, we could have gone really the distance. God knows how long. We already had some matches over five hours during this tournament. This looked to be another one.

I'm just really very fortunate to get through in straight sets.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. When Andy was in here a little while ago, he was saying he'd like to see some changes to the schedule. Maybe two matches during the day. Maybe bring the night sessions forward to about 6:00. Do you support the idea of looking at the schedule? If so, do you think the organizers will ever listen to players? Do you think things will ever change?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think that players' input is always important for tournament organization. Whether it's decisive, we know that it's not because it comes down to what the TV broadcasters want to have. That's the ultimate decision maker.

I would agree with his points. I think we have days when the day sessions go longer, but probably more days statistically in average where they finish, say, 5, 6 max, and you can start night session an hour earlier at least. I agree with him.

I think for us players... For the crowd, it's entertaining, it's exciting, to have matches midnight, 1, 2, 3 a.m. For us, it's really grueling. Even if you go through and win, prevail in these kind of matches, you still have to come back. You have your sleeping cycle, rhythm disrupted completely, not enough time really to recover for another five-setter.

Yeah, something needs to be addressed I guess in terms of the schedule after what we've seen this year.

Q. What is your experience with the injury throughout a match? I mean, does it start out tight and loosen up? Do you know what's going to happen next?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it kind of always starts well in last few matches, including this one, and then some movement happens and then it gets worse.

Yeah, pills kick in, some hot cream and stuff. That works for a little bit, then it doesn't, then works again. It's really a roller coaster, honestly.

It requires a lot of energy that is being spent from my side mentally and physically, as well, to deal with the match with my opponent and also with not ideal physical state.

But it is what it is. It's kind of a circumstances that you have to accept. I'm just very grateful that I'm actually able to play. The way it looked just before the tournament started, I thought that it wouldn't be possible.

I'm still here and still holding on.

Q. How close were you to potentially pulling out?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I did not want to pull out for the tournament because I wanted to see how it's going to feel on the court.

So the first match was good. The second match I struggled a lot. I had couple of moments where it was really bad. Today, as well.

But I managed to, as I said, survive and kind of pull it through. I'll take it match by match. I don't know what awaits, but I do hope and I have faith for the best.

Q. Next match is going to be against Alex de Minaur. You have never faced him before. Would that add an extra challenge, facing him against the home crowd over here?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Of course, it's a big challenge of playing an Aussie guy here in front of his home crowd. I'm sure that the atmosphere will be electric, and he's going to have a lot of support, and he's going to be pumped to try to win the match.

But I've had experiences before. I played Lleyton Hewitt here. I played some big Aussie players, so I know how that feels. I know what to expect, so to say, in terms of atmosphere, the match itself.

The fact that I never faced him is also challenging for both me and him. I think we don't know much about each other's games, but still we know each other pretty well because he's been around for quite a few years. I've watched him play numerous times. I know how he plays.

Yeah, let's see what happens.