ROLAND GARROS

May 31, 2023

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/M. Fucsovics

7-6, 6-0, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Nice match tonight.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Thanks.

Q. I just wanted to ask you, after everything you have been through the last few years, I would imagine that you probably would have desired to have a drama-free Grand Slam. I wonder if you could just talk through your thought process of saying what you did the other night and if there was a part of you that said, you know, Do I really want to bring this on myself knowing what an explosive topic it might be?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I don't mind saying that. I mean, I would say it again, but I don't need to because you have my quotes if you want to reflect on that.

Of course I'm aware that a lot of people would disagree, but it is what it is. It's something that I stand for. So that's all.

You know, drama-free Grand Slam (smiling), I don't think it can happen for me. You know, I guess that drives me, as well.

Q. On this matter, Novak, what are your feelings on the comment of the French Minister of Sport? She said it was inappropriate. And did you meet Amelie Mauresmo to talk about it?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No. I have no more comment on that. I said what I needed to say.

Q. You changed something under your shirt during the match, kind of a pin you have on the breast. Can you explain what it is?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: When I was a kid I liked Iron Man a lot, so I try to impersonate Iron Man. You know, my team delivers an incredibly efficient nanotechnology to help me deliver my best on the court, so that's the biggest secret of my career.

If it wasn't for that, I probably wouldn't be sitting here.

Q. Did you feel a little bit nervous on the first set? Why?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think because it was 7-6 in one-and-a-half hours, I mean, if I'm not nervous on the court, there is two reasons, or I'm very loose and comfortable and confident, or I don't care much about playing or winning.

Nervousness is part of my job, is part of what I do. Sometimes I express it; sometimes I internalize it. You know, at times, you know, I chat with myself. At times I chat with my team.

Important thing is that whatever happens, that you manage to kind of regroup and go ahead in the right direction.

Q. We're starting the NBA finals now in the U.S.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Go Jokic.

Q. Yeah, that's all I wanted.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Go Jokic, go Denver all the way. I really like Jimmy Butler, I think he's a great guy. I admire him a lot. I'm a big basketball fan. I know he's been coming to watch some of the tennis tournaments in States, Jimmy.

But, you know, I've got to support my man Joker. So, yeah, I hope they win their first ring.

Q. Wonder if you could say what you think it means for Serbia to have another giant in another sport.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Unbelievable. I said it the other day. We are super proud of him.

You know, normally these kind of things you don't realize while the athletes are active, so I think once he retires, you know, I think people will probably appreciate it even more what he has done, I mean, what he is doing.

I mean, the last three years, he's an MVP. Two years in a row he's MVP of regular season. Now he's probably going to be MVP of the playoffs and finals.

He's incredibly intelligent basketball player. I'm not obviously a basketball expert, but, I mean, I love basketball. I follow it a lot. You know, I have been obviously watching and listening closely to what people have to say about how he plays basketball.

It's so impressive to hear LeBron and, you know, the greats of the game, Shaq, Magic Johnson, talking about him and praising him. It's huge.

NBA League is the biggest and most important basketball league in the world. To be able to be the best player in that league for three years in a row is just stunning.

Coming from a small country and small city in our country, you know, very humble beginnings for him and he still stayed very modest, very humble, very simple guy, family guy. He loves his horses. You know, he's only into horses, and I find that very funny, but at the same time, I respect it a lot, you know, because he's sticking to his values, his beliefs, and what he cares about. He doesn't mind what people think of him.

Chapeau. You know, kudos to him. I'm a big fan of him. I hope he wins the finals.