Novak Djokovic is into the second week of the Australian Open after a 6-3 6-4 7-6(4) win over Botic Van De Zandschulp.
The Serb was comfortable for two sets but had to overcome set points in the third set in order to defeat the Dutchman.
It was Djokovic’s 400th Grand Slam victory as he continues to set new milestones at this year’s Australian Open.
Speaking after the match Djokovic said that he doesn’t think about managing energy when on the court and is feeling confident ahead of the rest of the tournament, “I try honestly not thinking about managing the energy on the court in terms of, you know, being economic or saving something for the later rounds, because it’s just I don’t feel that’s the right mindset,” Djokovic stated in his press conference.
“I think it’s important to get the most out of yourself on the given day to win against the opponent on that day. I try to do it as efficiently as possible, and I have won nine out of nine sets so far, so I couldn’t ask for more. Today I had a really good test. He was playing aggressive and well, and I think I was moving great.
“There’s always something that is happening with the body, but I think generally I feel as good as I have felt in a while. I cannot predict the future. I don’t know how things are going to unfold from this day onwards, but I’m doing everything I can. I haven’t practiced yesterday, or between first, second round I had two days. One day I didn’t practice. The second I did. Then now I didn’t practice in between now the second and third round, because I’m obviously trying to be strategic, talking with my team to what’s more important, you know. I’m hitting the ball well. I trained hard for last couple months, and everything is going okay on the court.
“So it’s more important to save energy, right, not stress my body out unnecessarily on the training or whatever it is. So, you know, every single day when I wake up, we have to evaluate what’s the right thing to do on that day, and good thing about slams again is that day between, right? But it’s best-of-five, and of course because it’s a Grand Slam emotionally, there is more tension, more stress, of course, all these aspects that are factors that are in play, but it’s not something I’m not used to or not familiar with.
“So I’m happy to be where I am, you know and hoping for the best moving forward.”
Djokovic is hoping for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title and has made a good start towards that bid so far.
However, the Serb’s campaign nearly ended in the first week as he was 4cm away from hitting a ballboy with a tennis ball.
After the match Djokovic has said he apologised and admitted he got ‘lucky,’ “I apologized for that. That was not necessary and in the heat of the moment,” Djokovic acknowledged.
“I was lucky there, and I’m sorry for causing any distress to the ball kid or anybody.”
Djokovic will be hoping to avoid such incidents on Monday when he takes on 16th seed Jakub Mensik.
