TENNIS 2014 ROLAND GARROS – 28th of May 2014. N. Djokovic d. J. Chardy 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. An interview with Novak Djokovic
Q. How did you feel out there today? How do you feel about the match?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, the conditions were changing from the beginning to the end. So again, it was another match where I had to stay mentally tough and then try to be consistent and not have, you know, many ups and downs.
I knew he’s gonna come out trying to take his chances with the forehand, and he has a big serve. But, you know, I managed to make him play an extra shot. I managed to stay solid from the baseline, and I think that forced him to make a lot of unforced errors, which definitely helped me to win in straight sets.
Q. Seeing favorites of the tournament, men’s side and women’s side, losing, is it sending an extra warning to the ones who remain in the draws?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, in the Grand Slam we all know that in the opening rounds that the lower ranked players have a lot of motivation to play their best and to win against top players on the big stadiums.
I just saw that Serena also lost. So, I mean, it’s definitely a surprise to see the big favorites coming out.
But again, you can never underestimate any opponent in a Grand Slam, because Grand Slams are, you know, the biggest events we have in this sport, and it’s where all the players want to perform their best and it’s where they get this extra strength and inspiration to play their best.
Q. Wawrinka when he lost, he said that suddenly it has all become way too much for him, the pressure, expectations, and that we don’t realize how hard it is for you, Roger, and Rafa, to do it weeks in, weeks out. Can you reflect on this a bit?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I mean, it’s part of the sport. It’s part of what you’re doing.
I can say from my side I always have kind of high ambitions for myself in terms of results and in terms of goals.
But with that, there is a lot of responsibility, a lot of hard work, a lot of understanding on and off the court, what you need to do and what you need to become in order to have the chance to be successful.
So I understand what is Wawrinka going through. 2008 when I won my first Grand Slam, I know how that period went after that. It’s the first time that you have to encounter pressure or expectations, you know, of being a favorite on Grand Slams.
I think it’s a new experience, and it’s something that is going to be with him for the rest of his career, because he’s a Grand Slam winner now, so he’s going to be favorite in most of the events where he plays.
That’s something new. It’s a new dimension, I think, from the mental aspect, but it’s part of the sport.
Q. I want to ask you about the football World Cup. Who is your favorite and why?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it’s difficult to pick up. There are so many great teams. I’m going to be supporting the unfortunately, Serbia is not there, so I’m going to be supporting the neighboring countries. Bosnia and Croatia, they are playing. Few others.
I love football, you know. I will be watching, of course, as all the other tennis players, I guess. I can’t pick up there are so many great teams. Spain. Brazil is the host. Germany is always tough. It’s difficult to say, and I’m not an expert in football, so I better keep it with tennis.
Q. What do you think of the clay here compared to other clay surfaces? How dirty does it leave your socks and shoes and basically your body?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, luckily where I’m staying there is a washing machine, so I’m washing my socks every day (laughter). So it doesn’t matter really how dirty.
These are the best clay courts in the world, no question about that. Roland Garros has always had this tradition and history of the best courts and this surface. And, you know, this year the weather has been so and so, you know, a lot of rain, and it makes the job very difficult for the people who are working on the courts.
But, you know, regardless of that, I still think that these are the best courts.
