AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 18, 2023

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/R. Carballes Baena

6-3, 6-4, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Novak, once again, what a special atmosphere out there tonight. How much did you appreciate the crowd support?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Very much appreciated. I felt very welcome on the court, especially the Serbian community that is big here in Australia has welcomed me in an incredible way. So much support. So much love.

I mean, I could not ask for a better start of the tournament in terms of support, in terms of how I felt on the court and also playing.

THE MODERATOR: Let's have a few in English.

Q. You're going for really big numbers, like 10th Australian Open title, 22nd Grand Slam, also the world No. 1. How do all these numbers play in your mindset as you go through this tournament?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: They're just numbers in the end of the day. I think it's important to I feel like try to get as close as possible to the balance between using the possibilities and achievements that are out there as a motivational factor, as a goal-setting type of motivation, that will drive you as a guiding star in a way, but at the same time balance it with an everyday task so that you have to accomplish in a proper way in order to stay in the present moment, which is when you are able to perform your best - at least in my case.

So, yeah, I mean, I've been in the situations before where I've played for some really big historic things, and I've been blessed to have I would say more success than failures in those particular situations.

I know how to behave, I know how to handle it. Let's see how far I can go.

Q. Why had it been so long since your parents and brother had come here? Why now? Why are they back this time after 15 years?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well it's really not around the corner from Serbia. Australia is a pretty long way. That's probably the biggest reason. They've come to watch me in Paris, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon, US Open. In particular, Australian Open has been a bit of a trip for my parents particularly.

I'm really glad to have them here. As I said on the court, the last time they were here, actually the only time they were here, was back in 2008. We have some great memories and considerations about the time that they spent here together now 15 years ago.

Yeah, hopefully they can stay all the way, I can stay all the way and we can have another great celebration.

Q. How is your leg going? What do you evaluate about the ball of the tournament, please?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: The leg is good. It's not ideal, but it's getting there. Today was a really good test. Haven't had too much training in the last few days, to be honest with you, tennis-wise.

Yeah, I was really, really hoping that things will be well on the court from the first to the last point, which was the case. I'm actually really glad that it felt better as the match progressed. The third set was great. I mean, that's a good signal, a good sign.

And when it comes to your second question, the tennis ball has changed this year. I mean, it is different from last year. I mean, the longer you play, the more rallies you play, the fluffier or the bigger the ball becomes, and it's slower.

I saw that Popyrin is playing now over four hours. Ruud played over three-and-a-half hours. I think we are going to see more of those longer duration of matches this year than we have maybe last year. One of the biggest reasons will probably be the ball because particularly on the big courts, I don't think the speed of the surface has changed much. The outside courts are pretty quick. The stadium courts are a bit slower. But the ball is slower. So that affects the play.

Q. The first two sets this evening were fairly steady, fairly even. The third set flew by. What was the difference? What did you do differently there?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Just, as I said, I was also kind of testing my leg a little bit. At the beginning I was a bit tight, I would say, mentally as well, to protect something that was bothering me last 10 days. So it took me a little bit of time to really get into the match and start, I guess, moving more freely.

As I said, the great sign was that the longer the match went, the better I felt, the better I moved. I also adjusted to the game style of my opponent that I haven't played for a while. Credit to him, he has served well, played well, particularly in the second set, to keep the match quite even.

But I think towards the end of the second, I just kind of started playing in another gear, so to say. The third set, I think first three games I lost one point or something, in the third set. So, yeah, just really glad to be able to finish the way I did.

Q. You have done some changes in your team. I just wanted to know what were the reasons you split with Uli?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: With Uli? Was unfortunate that we couldn't continue, but was decision from both sides. I wish him all the best.

I expect to see him on the tour, to be honest. Who knows? Maybe we do come back together in the future. We'll see. But right now it wasn't the case.

I love Uli as a friend, of course, and someone that has helped me to achieve some great things. We did great things together. So, yeah, that's all I can say.