US OPEN

August 29, 2024

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/L. Djere

6-4, 6-4, 2-0 (Ret.)

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I just wanted to ask, you know, those troubles with the serve and everything tonight, was that a physical problem you were having? Just when you are going through that, how do you balance trying to problem-solve it versus sort of being mad that it's going to cause you to be out there a long time?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, yeah, I mean, I haven't really been serving well the first two matches here, so I'm still kind of trying to find that rhythm and tempo on the serve.

If you don't have a good percentage of first serves in, you have to work for your points. Particularly against a player like Djere, who is really good from baseline from both ends, forehand and backhand. Just very solid player. Likes to attack, but he is also comfortable defending.

Last year I remember we had a five-setter. So I knew coming into the match that if I don't serve well, which was the case, I'm going to have to really grind and work for my points a lot. That's what I guess caused the two sets to be played over two hours.

You know, in the end not the kind of finish that we players or crowd wants to see, but I think it's probably due to that physical battle that we had in the opening two sets.

All in all, of course, I have to be happy with the win and happy that in important moments I managed to play one ball more than him over the net, I guess find the right shots or anticipate well as I did in the set point in the second set.

I was lucky that he missed that forehand. It was quite easy forehand. But, you know, that's tennis when you are fighting and playing long rallies and the pressure mounts when you have that important point that you have to play the shots that normally nine out of ten you wouldn't miss, and then you miss.

Yeah, the matches are only going to get tougher from here. I know that, but I'm fine. I'll find my way, as I have done many times in my career.

Q. Alexei in the next round. It will be the third time this year. What are your thoughts on that? The previous two were four-setters.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I'm happy to win four-set another time. Don't get me wrong. But, you know, he keeps on getting closer and closer, knocking on that door.

He's a really good player. He has improved a lot. He's won his first Masters in Canada. We always knew he has a big serve and forehand, but I think his backhand and his movement improved a lot.

So he's much better defending, and he's more consistent. He doesn't make as many errors as he used to. Just overall great improvement from his side. He's pumped. He's confident, and he shows that.

He's been playing some great tennis, so no reason for him not to believe that he can put up a great performance, and he's going to go for the win. I know that.

But I know what to expect as well. We played, as you said, a couple of times. I'm going to, of course, do my homework, analyze those matches, and see what needs to be done.

Q. There was a fan sitting courtside wearing a "World Against Nole" shirt, a Djokovic, Messi, Jordan shirt. I'm curious if you know him, if he has been to other tournaments supporting you, and how that support helps you maybe in difficult moments during the match?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I have seen him around. I don't know him personally, but I'm grateful for his support. Yeah, it's all I can say.

He seems to be coming by himself and always producing some interesting designs on his shirts. So, yeah, I signed a couple of his shirts and thanked him for his support.