UNITED CUP

January 2, 2024

Viktor Troicki

Novak Djokovic

Olga Danilovic

Hamad Medjedovic

Team Serbia

Press Conference

Team Czech Republic - 1

Team Serbia - 2

THE MODERATOR: Viktor, amazing match today. You must be very proud of your team.

CAPTAIN VIKTOR TROICKI: Yes, definitely I am. It was three tough matches. All three matches were very exciting. Pretty tight matches. Olga played great. Unfortunately, yeah, at the end she didn't have enough energy to pull it off, but it was a nice match from her, especially since she hasn't played in a long time.

Novak started great. Okay, then, a little, second set, let's say, he relaxed a bit, but he finished it off in the third set very well. Mixed doubles, we all saw, it was very exciting to watch. We were very close of going out of the tournament, but luckily Hamad and Olga were, at the end, focused and played much, much better than in the start of the match, which kept us alive.

We knew after the second set we won it, we knew we were through, but we also wanted to win to avoid Poland.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Novak, I just wanted to know, after your win, most people thought Serbia were through to the quarterfinals. Wondering, did you guys know the scenario? If not, would that have changed your decision not to play in the mixed doubles?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I actually knew that we are not through after I won the match. I knew that we have to win. Someone mentioned there is a possibility of set ratio as well that goes our way even if we lose. Then I found out basically when the guys entered the court for mixed doubles they need to win a set so that we qualify.

So, yeah, it was quite tight, I think, for them on the court, but also us sitting and watching. Everybody was very nervous obviously knowing that we need a set against players who didn't have anything to lose. Both of them, I don't think they expected to play, the two players on the Czech side that they faced today. I mean, they are both specialists in doubles and they were playing really, really well.

I'm proud of the two of them for raising the level and making it happen for Serbia. So we are through. That's what matters.

Q. We saw on the practice court you injured your wrist and received treatment and during the match you received more treatment.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah.

Q. How is it? Is it something serious that could be ongoing?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I hope not, but yeah, it happened in the warmup today before the match. I basically got constant treatment before the match, during the match, after the match, you know, trying to address the issue that I'm facing today in the best possible way.

I mean, it's not the first time that I have faced these kind of circumstances at such a high level of professional tennis. I know professional sport in general, these things happen. I think it's not a major concern, because I still managed to finish the match and managed to play well, even though I maybe wasn't feeling 100%, but still, you know, it allowed me to finish the match.

Hopefully I'll have enough time to recover for tomorrow's tie against Australia that is in the afternoon hours, so, you know, more time for us.

Q. Novak, how do you feel about taking on a guy like Alex de Minaur?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: How do I feel? I mean, regardless of who is across the net, you know, I try to contribute to my country. We said it few times this week that we are great team, we are building great chemistry. Everyone is supporting each other. You know, regardless who we play against, we want to win.

Of course we are playing a home nation tomorrow. Probably packed stadium, which is something that we all are looking forward to. They are very strong, particularly, you know, doubles, and also singles, you know, they are very complete. We don't have really doubles specialists in our team except Nikola Cacic, who maybe wasn't feeling his best in the last week or so.

But I think we've been managing well. I think the mixed doubles that we won today and few days ago against China has come to us somewhat of a pleasant surprise because of the lack of the doubles play that we have in general.

We know that if it's 1-1 after singles we are probably not favorites against anybody, you know, to win the mixed, but we will surely fight till the end.

Q. Did you catch any of his match, Alex's match, the other day against Taylor? What did you sort of make of that?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No. No, I didn't.

Q. Hamad, has an ace ever felt sweeter for you?

HAMAD MEDJEDOVIC: I don't know, but it was very, you know, it was very good to finish it off with an ace. Yeah, it was a great feeling after a tough super-tiebreak to finish it off with an ace. I was really happy, and it was a good way to finish the match.

Q. Olga, when you look ahead to Australia, your thoughts on Ajla Tomljanovic?

OLGA DANILOVIC: I mean, she's a great player, tough opponent. As Novak said, you know, they are a complete team, so it's gonna be a tough battle. But I think we proved two times now that we are a team and we play as a team and we win as a team. I mean, we're just gonna fight, you know, try our best and hopefully win.

Q. Novak, you said after you beat Nadal, the 2012 AO, that you had a piece of chocolate to celebrate. I want to know if you've had a piece of chocolate since?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Of course I did (smiling). Yeah, I saw that story kind of circulating around the social media.

Actually, it was true, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it always happens after every win that I refuse having a full chocolate or dessert. I actually try to indulge myself in the dessert. I have a sweet tooth, so to say.

But yeah, I had plenty of chocolate ever since.

Q. When was the last time you went full chocolate debauch?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Last night.

Q. Oh.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah.

Q. What did you have?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Last night. Yeah, two guys there back of the room there confirming I'm not lying. We had like four -- although vegan desserts.

CAPTAIN VIKTOR TROICKI: That's why the wrist is hurting today. (Laughter.)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Sorry, Captain. I'll take it down to three desserts a night.

Any dessert you recommend? Do you have anything to recommend?

Q. Dairy too?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, no. Not dairy, please. Dairy-free.

Q. I'll whip something up for you.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Okay. Let me know. Some nice ice cream place, let me know.

Q. Novak, tomorrow night playing in front of what is going to be a jam-packed crowd, we've seen plenty of support for Serbia, plenty of support for Australia, what are you expecting tomorrow night?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: A lot of noise I think from both sides, from both cheerleading groups. Of course probably more expectably and logically more Australians. But it's a big arena. A lot of people can fit in that area, I think 12,000, 13,000. Hopefully we can see it packed, because it's an exciting tie. I think every match is going to be really good to watch.

You're going to get the value for your ticket tomorrow. Hopefully we can, yeah, can experience some great atmosphere, and yeah, let the better team win.

Q. The match with Jiri was one of a real swinging momentum. Can you talk us, from your perspective, through that match through the third set?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I started off very well, but, you know, he managed to turn things around. I think he was very consistent from mid-second set all the way till the end of the second set, and he deservably won the second set.

Yeah, I did drop my level. I mean, I did not serve well, as well as I did in the first and third set, but credit to him, you know, just all-around, all shots, he took it level or two levels up.

Yeah, he was more aggressive, he was mixing up well, and it was nice. I think it was exciting for the crowd to see a close second set and take this match to the third.

It was crucial for me to make an early break, which I did. The third set was really good to end out the match the way I did and feeling good about my game. Obviously the wrist is a little bit of a concern. Let's see how it goes tomorrow.