ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS

October 12, 2024

Novak Djokovic

Mixed Zone

N. DJOKOVIC/T. Fritz

6-4, 7-6

Q. (No microphone).

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, it's always special. In China, it feels like a destiny to fight for a 100th title here in a place where I've had great success in the past, where I have tremendous support. And very grateful, especially tonight, the atmosphere was electric, people were really backing me all the way through. So, yeah, it's great to play in such atmosphere, you know, and just gets me going and motivates me to push even harder.

Yeah, I'm in a great position to win the title, you know, fighting for my 100th title overall, and 41st Masters, against the best player in the world. I won't be a favorite on the court, but hopefully I'll be able to come out physically fresh enough, you know, to challenge him for what may be, you know, the long match. I have to expect probably the toughest encounter of the tournament, and I have to be ready for it, so I look forward to a great challenge.

Q. Have you prepared the next Chinese character if you win the match?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I have some notes that my fans give me daily, so I have couple of China's characters that I, you know, we'll see, you know. If I get to win tomorrow, I'll show everything I know (laughing).

Q. Yesterday you said your knee was, your left knee was hurting, was tonight a different issue or the same issue?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, it was a little bit different, but, again, both are not concerning me at the moment, knowing that I went through and finished the match, both yesterday and today, so good news.

Q. What are your thoughts ahead of the final, what do you have to do against Jannik?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I won't share that with you, but as I said, he's in form the last 12 months, best player in the world, incredible tennis, just so consistent, and player to beat, no doubt, particularly on hard court. He knows my game, I know his game. We haven't played since Australia this year. Yeah, I'm hoping for the best, you know, it's going to take my highest level to win.

Q. We noticed that some kids cheered for you during the match, so they were even born over 10 years after you became a professional tennis player, how do you see your ongoing impact on the students?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I hope that I'm impacting them in a positive way, you know, that I can serve as good example, and an inspiration for them to whatever they do in life. You know, to be good people, be kind, be devoted, and strive to be the best versions of themselves, and enjoy life.

If they love tennis, of course it's even better for me, because as a tennis player I want to see more children on the tennis courts, coming out, supporting, but also playing, grabbing a racquet. So, you know, I love it. I obviously try to have a connection with people wherever I am in the world, and I understand that, you know, part of what we do, big part of what we do is fans, and, you know, they pay tickets to come and watch us, support us. So, you know, we try to, I try to appreciate that, be aware of it, and return them with some good tennis, and hopefully good interaction as well before and after match.