THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 11, 2023

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/A. Rublev

4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference of Novak Djokovic.

Novak, would you give us your initial thoughts on today's match.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Great quality match. I think we both played well. He was coming out from the blocks very, very quick. From baseline, strong, precise shots, particularly from the forehand corner. Putting a lot of pressure on me. As soon as he had an opportunity to step in and take over the control of the rally, he would do that normally with his forehand, we know is his biggest weapon.

Yeah, he played a better ending of the first set. He was a set up. But I managed to kind of regroup and break his serve early in the second set. I think that was the key to really switch the momentum to my side.

After that, some very long games, particularly the one at 5-4 serving for the set. That went ages. He had his chances. I had my chances. I'm very glad to overcome the challenge of Rublev that I feel like he was playing on a very high level. I think this is the best I've played him on any Grand Slam that we faced each other.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Andrey said he felt this was the first loss in the quarterfinals of a slam that he felt sort of proud. How different was he today from what you've seen? He said when he beat you in Belgrade, he was kind of lucky.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's different. It's obviously not comparable playing in a Grand Slam and playing in a 250 event.

He was, as I said, the best I faced him on a Grand Slam. It's also something that is expected from a player like him, who is a very hard worker, very dedicated to the sport, always tries to improve.

I can see the improvement without a doubt. I think today he played a terrific tennis. He was putting a lot of pressure, playing very quick, standing close to the line and trying to push me back in the court. He was managing to do that in some stages of the match.

It was like a dogfight, to be honest, on the court. At some points of the match were so long and exhausting. Those games at the end of the third set where, yeah, basically the match was decided, to be honest.

I felt like huge relief when I won the third set, and in the fourth again made the crucial break and held my nerves till the end.

For sure the best quality tennis Rublev has played today that I have faced him in the previous matches in Grand Slams.

Q. You seemed generally quite relaxed. Does it feel different to two years ago when you were going for the third slam in a row here?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean, different circumstances. Two years ago we were unable to leave the hotel, so we went from the courts to hotel. Here now I can stay in the house in Wimbledon and have my family with me. It's a different feeling.

So, of course, I'm enjoying it more. And that reflects, as well, on my motivation on the court and the performance itself.

So far so good. We reached the semifinals. Still couple of matches to go. Yeah, let's see. Let's take it one challenge at a time, and hopefully I can get a shot at the title.

Q. You mentioned I think after your first-round win talking about how difficult it is to slide on this grass. Few times today you did. As the tournament goes on, is it easier to slide or how does that work?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's hard to say really. I think as the tournament goes on, I think us players, we feel more comfortable moving on the grass. So for some of us, like Sinner, for example, and Alcaraz, they like to slide. I think you become more comfortable going for the slide.

Maybe at the beginning you feel like walking on eggs a little bit because the grass is also more slippery at the beginning, particularly if you play indoors under the roof.

I actually played three out of first four matches under the roof. Quite different conditions. Glad that I played with an open roof today because in the end of the day it's an open tournament, open roof obviously.

I think that this is the least that I was sliding on grass ever, to be honest. Whether that's conscious or unconscious, I'm not really sure. I'm still yet trying to figure out.

Sometimes sliding is not the best option on grass. Sometimes it is. It just depends on the ball and the situation.

But I think it's better to hit the ball and kind of run through two, three steps and come back. Again, it depends on the shot.

Yeah, I'm trying to improve myself, as well. Sliding has served me well. Maybe on grass it's not necessary always to use it.

Q. 46 Grand Slam semifinals. You equal Roger. Jannik Sinner, your next opponent, you face him one year after, have you had a chance to watch one of his matches, if you think he's improving? If yes, on which aspect of the game is improving?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: We mostly played kind of at the same time. I've watched him I think first set today little bit. He's playing on a very high level. He likes to play on grass. He likes to play on quick surfaces because he likes to be aggressive and take control of the point. From both forehand and backhand, he's smashing the ball really, really hard, trying to be the one that is going to dictate the point from early on. I know his game well.

He's so young, so of course it's expected that he's going to improve. He is improving, no doubt, I think with the serve. He's been serving better. On grass, obviously makes a difference.

He's a very complete player. Now first time in semis of Wimbledon. I'm looking forward to that challenge. We both have two days to recover. I'm sure that he's going to be very, very motivated to win. On the other hand, I am, too.

Let's see what happens.

Q. Bearing in mind the tennis you're playing at the moment, you only dropped two sets, you're the defending champion, do you make yourself the favorite?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean, I don't want to sound arrogant, but of course I would consider myself favorite. Judging with the results I had in my career here, previous four occasions of Wimbledon that I won, and reaching other semifinal, so I do consider myself favorite, yes.