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Showing posts with label Miami. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miami. Show all posts
Djokovic - Trophy photocall
Written By Lingkar Dunia on Monday, April 4, 2011 | 12:24 PM
Djokovic - Match Point & Presentation
Written By Lingkar Dunia on Sunday, April 3, 2011 | 2:50 PM
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Nadal v Djokovic - Live Final Chat
Written By Lingkar Dunia on Saturday, April 2, 2011 | 3:30 PM
On Sunday, April 3 at 1 pm EST, online editor Ed McGrogan will provide live commentary and analysis during the Miami men's final, featuring world No. 1 Rafael Nadal and No. 2 Novak Djokovic.
Link from Tennis.com here
Link from Tennis.com here
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Miami
Novak Djokovic - Semi Final Press Conference
Courtesy: TennisX
Q. Would it be fair to say you were a little happy to see the rain?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, it would be. After I came back from the rain delay, from the locker room and the break that we had, I felt different on the court.
First couple of games was quite strange. The wind of blowing. It was quite humid. Just different conditions, I guess.
I came to the match not really moving well, and was just lucky enough not to go a break down.
Q. You were skidding a lot. It was almost like you were playing clay court tennis for a while. Were you having trouble with the footing?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's been like that for a while. I been sliding on every surface that I know, because that's just the way that I move.
I knew that he's going to be aggressive and come to the net often, so I needed to defend well. I did. I wish I just played a little bit better from the baseline.
But what I think made the difference today is my first serve. I got a lot free points there.
Q. When you get off to a patchy start like today, aside from the rain, is the fact that you've been winning for the last three months, is that something you draw on?
You talked about confidence. Is that where that really comes into play?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I guess it's a very mental game in the end. If you have a little mental advantage over your opponent knowing that you won against him every time you played and are very confident and winning a lot matches lately, I guess it's something that kind of guides me to the victory.
Q. What do you on breakpoints this tournament that just seems you're impossible to break? Today was key in the first set at 15 40 when Mardy was serving 3 5 and he hit a serve like right at you.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Ah, it was I can't say I've played that point well. It was just lucky that I read his intention with the drive forehand volley. I stayed on the same side and I hit as hard as I can through the middle and he put his volley out.
Yeah, as I said, you got to have some luck as well in some moments. When I held that serve, it was a different story in the second set. I kind of felt better and more comfortable on the court.
But any time I was breakpoints down and in trouble I served out really well. That's something that makes me happy.
Q. It looks as though when you're in those pressure situations you're able to find another gear and sort of just get an extra level. What is that? Is it focus and concentration kicks in a little bit more?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, yes, focus and just trying to get it right. You know, you obviously feel pressure and tension in these moments when you're breakpoint down, especially at this level where you know if you lose your serve it's going to be very hard to get it back.
But, you know, I tried to, you know, kind of play simple that stage. Tried to hit some good serves and hit one, two, shots, and it works okay.
Q. You said something in Portuguese. You tried to talk about Brazil. Are you planning to go there and maybe learn some soccer with Guga?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I got a lot of messages on Twitter from Brazilian fans. Yeah, but don't expect me to talk in Portuguese. I can't. I cheated, okay, so I kind of looked at a translation.
Q. You looked at a translation?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah. So I have written couple of words, just words of appreciation for their support. That's all.
But I got in touch with Guga about eventually coming to Brazil and playing an exhibition there. Hopefully we can make that happen in the near future.
Q. Brad Gilbert forgot ask you the big question. You're going to watch from your hotel, but who do you think will win and who do you want to win?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's a question that I can't give you answer on, because I really don't prefer anybody of those two. (Laughing.)
They just have a fantastic rivalry, and it would be really interesting to see their match tonight, you know, to see who's going to win and prevail.
We obviously expect a great fight. They're both big champions, great players. You know, they have been so dominant in the last couple of years.
Whoever I play, I obviously wouldn't feel like a favorite on the court.
Q. You have an edge on Rafa on hardcourt, I think; not with Roger. If you're going to get Rafa, I guess you prefer a hardcourt; is that right?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I really don't know what to answer, you know. Both of them are playing great tennis over the years regardless what surface. They're such great competitors and tennis players that it doesn't matter really. Slow, fast, you know, they're always playing on a very high level.
So in order for me to win and by the way, it is a final, so in order for me to win I will be have to be on the top of my game against either of those two players.
Q. Do you think it was good to get a day match in before a final that's going to be at lunchtime just to get a sense...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes. Yeah, I didn't play a single match this year before today's semifinal during the day. It was all during the night, so it took me time to get used to conditions. It was good. I got a sense of what it might be like.
Q. You've been playing with a strap on your knee for a while. Any concern there? Seemed like one game you might have tweaked it a little bit.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, it was just a quick move. Luckily it's nothing serious. You know, I carried this minor discomfortable I could say in my knee since Australia this year. So since then I been wearing the strap on my knee. Just preventional. Nothing that keeps me away from sliding.
Q. Have you been following the record, your match records that you've been creeping up on guys. Are you looking at this at all? How important is it for you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, of course to be a part of history it's always a big pleasure and honor. I've been telling to my team, Don't come up with any records or anything. I just want to take one match at a time. So far it's been like that.
Q. You've been pressing the top of the rankings for years. A few years ago I remember you going like this a lot. (Holding up index finger.) It was when Federer was kind of in a slump. Do you feel that...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don't understand. What do you mean?
Q. You were like saying No. 1 or whatever this gesture meant after you would win a match.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No. No, it's not true.
Q. It's not true?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No.
Q. Anyway, do you feel like this is your time or do you have any sense of invincibility now?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, I don't feel invincible. I don't feel that I can't lose on the court.
What I feel is big confidence. What I feel is that I'm playing best tennis of my life. This is as simple as that.
As I said before, it's mental game, so physically I've been working very hard and dedicating a lot of time to some elements in my game, like serve, and it's paying off now.
I feel that I'm serving as best as I think ever. It's really important to have this advantage obviously, because today there is so many great returners and movers, so to get a couple of free points on your serve a crucial.
I'm just trying to take one match at a time and mentally be motivated to have even more success. That's about all. You know, I don't really think about how long this winning streak is gonna go for, who I'm going to lose to.
I'm just thinking about my next opponent and what I need to do to win.
Q. Would it be fair to say you were a little happy to see the rain?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, it would be. After I came back from the rain delay, from the locker room and the break that we had, I felt different on the court.
First couple of games was quite strange. The wind of blowing. It was quite humid. Just different conditions, I guess.
I came to the match not really moving well, and was just lucky enough not to go a break down.
Q. You were skidding a lot. It was almost like you were playing clay court tennis for a while. Were you having trouble with the footing?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's been like that for a while. I been sliding on every surface that I know, because that's just the way that I move.
I knew that he's going to be aggressive and come to the net often, so I needed to defend well. I did. I wish I just played a little bit better from the baseline.
But what I think made the difference today is my first serve. I got a lot free points there.
Q. When you get off to a patchy start like today, aside from the rain, is the fact that you've been winning for the last three months, is that something you draw on?
You talked about confidence. Is that where that really comes into play?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I guess it's a very mental game in the end. If you have a little mental advantage over your opponent knowing that you won against him every time you played and are very confident and winning a lot matches lately, I guess it's something that kind of guides me to the victory.
Q. What do you on breakpoints this tournament that just seems you're impossible to break? Today was key in the first set at 15 40 when Mardy was serving 3 5 and he hit a serve like right at you.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Ah, it was I can't say I've played that point well. It was just lucky that I read his intention with the drive forehand volley. I stayed on the same side and I hit as hard as I can through the middle and he put his volley out.
Yeah, as I said, you got to have some luck as well in some moments. When I held that serve, it was a different story in the second set. I kind of felt better and more comfortable on the court.
But any time I was breakpoints down and in trouble I served out really well. That's something that makes me happy.
Q. It looks as though when you're in those pressure situations you're able to find another gear and sort of just get an extra level. What is that? Is it focus and concentration kicks in a little bit more?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, yes, focus and just trying to get it right. You know, you obviously feel pressure and tension in these moments when you're breakpoint down, especially at this level where you know if you lose your serve it's going to be very hard to get it back.
But, you know, I tried to, you know, kind of play simple that stage. Tried to hit some good serves and hit one, two, shots, and it works okay.
Q. You said something in Portuguese. You tried to talk about Brazil. Are you planning to go there and maybe learn some soccer with Guga?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I got a lot of messages on Twitter from Brazilian fans. Yeah, but don't expect me to talk in Portuguese. I can't. I cheated, okay, so I kind of looked at a translation.
Q. You looked at a translation?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah. So I have written couple of words, just words of appreciation for their support. That's all.
But I got in touch with Guga about eventually coming to Brazil and playing an exhibition there. Hopefully we can make that happen in the near future.
Q. Brad Gilbert forgot ask you the big question. You're going to watch from your hotel, but who do you think will win and who do you want to win?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's a question that I can't give you answer on, because I really don't prefer anybody of those two. (Laughing.)
They just have a fantastic rivalry, and it would be really interesting to see their match tonight, you know, to see who's going to win and prevail.
We obviously expect a great fight. They're both big champions, great players. You know, they have been so dominant in the last couple of years.
Whoever I play, I obviously wouldn't feel like a favorite on the court.
Q. You have an edge on Rafa on hardcourt, I think; not with Roger. If you're going to get Rafa, I guess you prefer a hardcourt; is that right?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I really don't know what to answer, you know. Both of them are playing great tennis over the years regardless what surface. They're such great competitors and tennis players that it doesn't matter really. Slow, fast, you know, they're always playing on a very high level.
So in order for me to win and by the way, it is a final, so in order for me to win I will be have to be on the top of my game against either of those two players.
Q. Do you think it was good to get a day match in before a final that's going to be at lunchtime just to get a sense...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes. Yeah, I didn't play a single match this year before today's semifinal during the day. It was all during the night, so it took me time to get used to conditions. It was good. I got a sense of what it might be like.
Q. You've been playing with a strap on your knee for a while. Any concern there? Seemed like one game you might have tweaked it a little bit.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, it was just a quick move. Luckily it's nothing serious. You know, I carried this minor discomfortable I could say in my knee since Australia this year. So since then I been wearing the strap on my knee. Just preventional. Nothing that keeps me away from sliding.
Q. Have you been following the record, your match records that you've been creeping up on guys. Are you looking at this at all? How important is it for you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, of course to be a part of history it's always a big pleasure and honor. I've been telling to my team, Don't come up with any records or anything. I just want to take one match at a time. So far it's been like that.
Q. You've been pressing the top of the rankings for years. A few years ago I remember you going like this a lot. (Holding up index finger.) It was when Federer was kind of in a slump. Do you feel that...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don't understand. What do you mean?
Q. You were like saying No. 1 or whatever this gesture meant after you would win a match.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No. No, it's not true.
Q. It's not true?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No.
Q. Anyway, do you feel like this is your time or do you have any sense of invincibility now?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, I don't feel invincible. I don't feel that I can't lose on the court.
What I feel is big confidence. What I feel is that I'm playing best tennis of my life. This is as simple as that.
As I said before, it's mental game, so physically I've been working very hard and dedicating a lot of time to some elements in my game, like serve, and it's paying off now.
I feel that I'm serving as best as I think ever. It's really important to have this advantage obviously, because today there is so many great returners and movers, so to get a couple of free points on your serve a crucial.
I'm just trying to take one match at a time and mentally be motivated to have even more success. That's about all. You know, I don't really think about how long this winning streak is gonna go for, who I'm going to lose to.
I'm just thinking about my next opponent and what I need to do to win.
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Miami
Novak Djokovic - On court interview
Short video with Novak after he reached the final of Miami with a straight set win over new American #1 Mardy Fish.
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Novak djokovic - Semi Final Match Reports
Written By Lingkar Dunia on Friday, April 1, 2011 | 1:22 PM
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Miami
Djokovic - Semi Final photos
After a rain delay of nearly 1 hour Novak has made it into his 4th final of 2011. Still waiting for match reports but here are some photos.
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Djokovic - Post match interview - transcript
Written By Lingkar Dunia on Thursday, March 31, 2011 | 4:23 AM
Courtesy: Official Website
N. DJOKOVIC/K. Anderson
6-4, 6-2
An interview with:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. If you look at the numbers, it sounds like an easy game, but didn't look an easy one.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, it was anything but easy. Almost two hour match for 6 4, 6 2, I mean, result doesn't show what we had on the court definitely. I mean, I kind of expected him to be aggressive, but he was really going for the shots. He was really putting a lot of pressure on me. A lot. His serve was exceptionally well and hard to read.
In the second set I found that momentum, but I went through situations where I faced couple of breakpoints in the first and second set, and I saved them. You know, I was fortunate in those moments. If he broke me, who knows in which direction the match would go.
Q. But you looked very comfortable and you were enjoying the match. Looked like you were having fun?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: When I was two breaks up in the second set I was comfortable sure, but not before that.
Q. You play against a guy with a big serve. Is there a special way to prepare for that kind of match?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I had Karlovic serving on my warmup. I was trying to prepare in some ways, but, you know, it's very challenging to play a big server who's very aggressive. And if he serves well and very precise and if he manages to get some free points on his service games, he puts a lot of pressure on your serve, and then you're in trouble.
Then you need to try to get as many returns back and get into the rallies. I knew that in the rallies I have a little bit more chance. Some bit slower conditions in the night, so I was kind of relying on that. But he really played well.
Q. Can you tell me about your next opponent, what you think about?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think he's on a great run. He's been playing some really good tennis this week, beating high ranked players, quality players. Today he looked really confident on the court. If he serves well, then he can really beat anybody, I think. It's going to be really unpredictable what's going to happen. Very good match. I look forward to it.
Q. Your next opponent says that playing during the day and night in this tournament is two completely different tournaments.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah.
Q. You've played both during the day and night...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think I've played all during the night actually, all four matches. So it's going to be different playing during the day. It's going to be faster, and I think it's a little bit more suitable to him.
But, you know, I have a day to recover, to get used to it, to get some practice. I'm sure I'll be fine.
Q. You had five breakpoints to save. You saved all of them. Isn't it the best proof of your confidence and hat your confidence is as high a possible?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, yes. You know, I served well in the moments when I needed to. Okay, he missed some shots, but, you know, I feel that mentally I'm more stable nowadays. Obviously with confidence you're you believe in your shots. You're going for some shots, and it comes back to you.
Q. That's 24 wins in a row going back to last year.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Uh huh.
Q. That must develop its own confidence.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean, you obviously get confidence with 24 wins in a row. I mean, it keeps getting better, of course. But I don't want to be carried away from that. I want to keep on working hard and taking one match at a time. You know, when it stops, it stops, but I'm definitely focusing on the next opponent.
N. DJOKOVIC/K. Anderson
6-4, 6-2
An interview with:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. If you look at the numbers, it sounds like an easy game, but didn't look an easy one.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, it was anything but easy. Almost two hour match for 6 4, 6 2, I mean, result doesn't show what we had on the court definitely. I mean, I kind of expected him to be aggressive, but he was really going for the shots. He was really putting a lot of pressure on me. A lot. His serve was exceptionally well and hard to read.
In the second set I found that momentum, but I went through situations where I faced couple of breakpoints in the first and second set, and I saved them. You know, I was fortunate in those moments. If he broke me, who knows in which direction the match would go.
Q. But you looked very comfortable and you were enjoying the match. Looked like you were having fun?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: When I was two breaks up in the second set I was comfortable sure, but not before that.
Q. You play against a guy with a big serve. Is there a special way to prepare for that kind of match?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I had Karlovic serving on my warmup. I was trying to prepare in some ways, but, you know, it's very challenging to play a big server who's very aggressive. And if he serves well and very precise and if he manages to get some free points on his service games, he puts a lot of pressure on your serve, and then you're in trouble.
Then you need to try to get as many returns back and get into the rallies. I knew that in the rallies I have a little bit more chance. Some bit slower conditions in the night, so I was kind of relying on that. But he really played well.
Q. Can you tell me about your next opponent, what you think about?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think he's on a great run. He's been playing some really good tennis this week, beating high ranked players, quality players. Today he looked really confident on the court. If he serves well, then he can really beat anybody, I think. It's going to be really unpredictable what's going to happen. Very good match. I look forward to it.
Q. Your next opponent says that playing during the day and night in this tournament is two completely different tournaments.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah.
Q. You've played both during the day and night...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think I've played all during the night actually, all four matches. So it's going to be different playing during the day. It's going to be faster, and I think it's a little bit more suitable to him.
But, you know, I have a day to recover, to get used to it, to get some practice. I'm sure I'll be fine.
Q. You had five breakpoints to save. You saved all of them. Isn't it the best proof of your confidence and hat your confidence is as high a possible?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, yes. You know, I served well in the moments when I needed to. Okay, he missed some shots, but, you know, I feel that mentally I'm more stable nowadays. Obviously with confidence you're you believe in your shots. You're going for some shots, and it comes back to you.
Q. That's 24 wins in a row going back to last year.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Uh huh.
Q. That must develop its own confidence.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean, you obviously get confidence with 24 wins in a row. I mean, it keeps getting better, of course. But I don't want to be carried away from that. I want to keep on working hard and taking one match at a time. You know, when it stops, it stops, but I'm definitely focusing on the next opponent.
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Miami
Djokovic - post match video interview
Written By Lingkar Dunia on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 | 4:31 AM
Djokovic - A few videos
Written By Lingkar Dunia on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 | 4:43 PM
Djokovic - Round 3 match highlights
Written By Lingkar Dunia on Monday, March 28, 2011 | 1:38 PM
Djokovic- Round 2 post match interview
Written By Lingkar Dunia on Sunday, March 27, 2011 | 12:49 PM
Courtesy: Official Website
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Considering that you played so much tennis, is it helpful that tonight's match was so short?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, definitely helpful. You know, in opening rounds, especially in the first round, you're trying to get used to the conditions and you don't want to underestimate your opponent, so you want to step into the court and try to be focused from the start and try to, you know, get as quickly as possible out of the court. So I did a great job tonight.
Q. How did you feel out there?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Um, I mean, I couldn't feel better, you know. Most of the shots I was hitting were winners, so I wasn't making a lot of mistakes.
Everything was working perfect.
Q. When you're playing like this, are you just chomping at the bit to get back out there as quickly as possible? Is it hard to wait between matches?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's confidence that plays a very important role in our sport, and in any other sport. So I guess you're trying to keep that confidence level very high, and when you step on the court, you know, you're hitting the ball and everything comes in.
You know, you have a lot of self belief that, you know, you can hit the ball hard and you can step in and take your chances, be aggressive, and that was the case tonight. That's the case, you know, lately for me.
I do look forward to my next challenges. You know, I've played a lot of matches, so it's good that I have an extra day tomorrow where I play doubles and where I take some time and get ready for next one.
Q. How much do you think you'll have to rely on your net game this tournament?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Excuse me?
Q. How much do you think you'll have to rely on coming to the net in this tournament?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Coming to the net? Well, look, I'm not a classic serve and volley player and I'm not coming that often to the net, but I try to put some variety in my game and use the chances that are given to me to come to the net.
It's something that I've been working on lately. It's well. You know, it takes time. I know I have to, you know, mentally kind of convince myself that I can come to the net, I can play well. I'm just happy with the way I'm playing.
Q. Considering the fact that you've been really unbeatable this year, does playing so well bring another level of pressure to maintain that high level of play?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, but, you know, I'm not thinking too much about being unbeaten this year or, you know, what it carries with it, you know, some kind of pressure or expectations.
I got used to that. You know, I'm playing for many years already on a high level in professional tennis, and I'm using this experience this year to be able to perform my best on the court.
I'm fresh mentally, motivated to have even more success. I'm looking to upcoming challenges. I know it's only been a couple of months of the year, but I have been playing great, and I want to keep on doing that.
I need to stay physically fit and healthy in order to, you know, be consistent with the success.
Q. You've got James next; is that right?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes.
Q. Your thoughts about that matchup?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, James has been around for a while. He's a great competitor. He's very exciting to watch. He hits the ball very clean, very powerful. He's a great mover. He's very fast.
You know, he's gonna be having a lot of support from the crowd. You know, it's definitely not an easy one. I have to step on the court and be on top of my game.
Q. You talked about confidence. Andy at the moment has no confidence, I guess. Can you feel for him? Do you understand what he's going through at the moment?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I absolutely understand. Today when I saw when he lost, I mean, that gives you it proves and it gives, you know, another reason and another example, actually, that this sport is all mental in the end, you know.
You can work as hard as you can and you can practice for hours and hours, but if you don't have that self belief on the court, if you don't have that confidence, you know, it can easily turn against you.
I felt it, you know, last year in this period for first five, six months. I had similar early round losses. I know how it feels like, you know. It's incredible, you know, how mental it gets.
You know, if you believe in your shots, if you're just relaxed on the court, then you he has a quality, I mean, to beat anybody on the tour. He's just going through that period that I'm sure it's gonna be over very soon.
Q. What are you going to do in doubles tomorrow to cheer him up?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, you know, I still haven't heard from him, so I'll let him sleep over and see hopefully tomorrow. He's gonna be fresh and motivated to win doubles. I'm really looking forward to that doubles.
Q. How does it come to pick Andy as a partner for doubles? You were both practicing doubles to be better later?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, it's idea we had for a long time already, but we weren't managing to kind of organize and play together. We played in 2006 I think in Australian Open and, you know, since then we had a lot of success in our singles careers.
That's what we prioritize, and we didn't play that much doubles. But now that we play together, we should enjoy it. You know, I really look forward to that.
Q. Would you like to see more top guys play doubles? Do you think it's good for the game?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: At Indian Wells I think you had 9 of top 10 players, singles players, playing doubles. So, you know, it gives you example of, you know, singles players getting involved more in doubles.
You know, it's good for serve and volley, it's good for it's good for us to have some practice and enjoy sharing the court with somebody, as well. You know, because most of the time we're alone.
Q. You were this week in my country, in Colombia. How did you enjoy that experience?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I enjoyed it so much. You know, I didn't feel that kind of atmosphere ever in my life in exhibition event. It was incredible. It was very loved. It was just being a part of that exhibition event and the whole day being in Colombia, we felt like rock stars, you know. It's just great experience. I will definitely come back.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Considering that you played so much tennis, is it helpful that tonight's match was so short?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, definitely helpful. You know, in opening rounds, especially in the first round, you're trying to get used to the conditions and you don't want to underestimate your opponent, so you want to step into the court and try to be focused from the start and try to, you know, get as quickly as possible out of the court. So I did a great job tonight.
Q. How did you feel out there?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Um, I mean, I couldn't feel better, you know. Most of the shots I was hitting were winners, so I wasn't making a lot of mistakes.
Everything was working perfect.
Q. When you're playing like this, are you just chomping at the bit to get back out there as quickly as possible? Is it hard to wait between matches?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's confidence that plays a very important role in our sport, and in any other sport. So I guess you're trying to keep that confidence level very high, and when you step on the court, you know, you're hitting the ball and everything comes in.
You know, you have a lot of self belief that, you know, you can hit the ball hard and you can step in and take your chances, be aggressive, and that was the case tonight. That's the case, you know, lately for me.
I do look forward to my next challenges. You know, I've played a lot of matches, so it's good that I have an extra day tomorrow where I play doubles and where I take some time and get ready for next one.
Q. How much do you think you'll have to rely on your net game this tournament?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Excuse me?
Q. How much do you think you'll have to rely on coming to the net in this tournament?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Coming to the net? Well, look, I'm not a classic serve and volley player and I'm not coming that often to the net, but I try to put some variety in my game and use the chances that are given to me to come to the net.
It's something that I've been working on lately. It's well. You know, it takes time. I know I have to, you know, mentally kind of convince myself that I can come to the net, I can play well. I'm just happy with the way I'm playing.
Q. Considering the fact that you've been really unbeatable this year, does playing so well bring another level of pressure to maintain that high level of play?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, but, you know, I'm not thinking too much about being unbeaten this year or, you know, what it carries with it, you know, some kind of pressure or expectations.
I got used to that. You know, I'm playing for many years already on a high level in professional tennis, and I'm using this experience this year to be able to perform my best on the court.
I'm fresh mentally, motivated to have even more success. I'm looking to upcoming challenges. I know it's only been a couple of months of the year, but I have been playing great, and I want to keep on doing that.
I need to stay physically fit and healthy in order to, you know, be consistent with the success.
Q. You've got James next; is that right?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes.
Q. Your thoughts about that matchup?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, James has been around for a while. He's a great competitor. He's very exciting to watch. He hits the ball very clean, very powerful. He's a great mover. He's very fast.
You know, he's gonna be having a lot of support from the crowd. You know, it's definitely not an easy one. I have to step on the court and be on top of my game.
Q. You talked about confidence. Andy at the moment has no confidence, I guess. Can you feel for him? Do you understand what he's going through at the moment?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I absolutely understand. Today when I saw when he lost, I mean, that gives you it proves and it gives, you know, another reason and another example, actually, that this sport is all mental in the end, you know.
You can work as hard as you can and you can practice for hours and hours, but if you don't have that self belief on the court, if you don't have that confidence, you know, it can easily turn against you.
I felt it, you know, last year in this period for first five, six months. I had similar early round losses. I know how it feels like, you know. It's incredible, you know, how mental it gets.
You know, if you believe in your shots, if you're just relaxed on the court, then you he has a quality, I mean, to beat anybody on the tour. He's just going through that period that I'm sure it's gonna be over very soon.
Q. What are you going to do in doubles tomorrow to cheer him up?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, you know, I still haven't heard from him, so I'll let him sleep over and see hopefully tomorrow. He's gonna be fresh and motivated to win doubles. I'm really looking forward to that doubles.
Q. How does it come to pick Andy as a partner for doubles? You were both practicing doubles to be better later?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, it's idea we had for a long time already, but we weren't managing to kind of organize and play together. We played in 2006 I think in Australian Open and, you know, since then we had a lot of success in our singles careers.
That's what we prioritize, and we didn't play that much doubles. But now that we play together, we should enjoy it. You know, I really look forward to that.
Q. Would you like to see more top guys play doubles? Do you think it's good for the game?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: At Indian Wells I think you had 9 of top 10 players, singles players, playing doubles. So, you know, it gives you example of, you know, singles players getting involved more in doubles.
You know, it's good for serve and volley, it's good for it's good for us to have some practice and enjoy sharing the court with somebody, as well. You know, because most of the time we're alone.
Q. You were this week in my country, in Colombia. How did you enjoy that experience?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I enjoyed it so much. You know, I didn't feel that kind of atmosphere ever in my life in exhibition event. It was incredible. It was very loved. It was just being a part of that exhibition event and the whole day being in Colombia, we felt like rock stars, you know. It's just great experience. I will definitely come back.
12:49 PM | 0
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Miami
Novak Djokovic - Point Of The Year & photos
Absolutely fantastic point during the Doubles match yesterday. Unfortunately Nolandy lost on the match tiebreak :(
Courtesy: ATPWorldTour
A few photos from the match
Courtesy: ATPWorldTour
A few photos from the match
5:41 AM | 0
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Djokovic - Prematch Press Conference - photos
Written By Lingkar Dunia on Friday, March 25, 2011 | 6:53 PM
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