US OPEN

August 28, 2023

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/A. Muller

6-0, 6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. The Obamas stayed for you. Talk about this long day, getting through, looking impressive.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I knew it was going to be a late night for me, late start of the match. Nevertheless, I mean, I was excited to go out on the court. I didn't care if I started after midnight because I was looking forward to this moment for few years, to be out on the biggest stadium in our sport, the loudest stadium in our sport, playing night session.

Tonight was a special night, they had a ceremony. It took longer than I would probably have wanted. As I said, it was a great joy to be stepping out on the court. I think the performance explains how I felt tonight, particularly in the first two sets. It was kind of lights-out tennis really, almost flawless, perfect first set.

I've probably had the answer for every shot he had in his book. Overall I'm very, very pleased with the way I feel, with the way I'm playing. Hopefully I can maintain that level. It's just the beginning of the tournament, but I already like the level of tennis.

Q. You referred to it as the loudest stadium in tennis. How would you describe what the volume is? Is it just that it's so big so you have more people than Centre Court or a different kind of crowd?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's loudest and probably the most humid conditions of all center courts of all four Grand Slams. For some reason, ever since the roof construction was introduced, I feel we have less breeze and less circulation of the year inside. Players are really soaking wet. I can see everyone, even myself. You sweat so much on the court.

But it is the biggest stadium we have in tennis. This court has seen so much history and so many battles. Everyone knows in tennis that night sessions at Arthur Ashe definitely are the most exciting, fun, loud, energetic sessions you can have out there on the tennis world.

It's the size. It's the echo because of the roof construction. It's everything combined. Just people, New Yorkers, love their tennis. They don't care if they stay up very late, post midnight, because they get excited.

I love it. It's great because every Grand Slam has its own charm in a way. Comparing to, for example, Wimbledon, it's a complete contrast. In Wimbledon it's different than here. Here is all about entertainment, fun, good energy, good vibes.

If you can feed on that, you'll have a lot of fun.