TENNIS WIMBLEDON 2014 – 27th of June. N. Djokovic d. G. Simon 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. An interview with Novak Djokovic
Q. How would you describe how you hurt your shoulder and its condition?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It was obviously a scary fall. And, you know, I talked with Boris. We obviously need to work on my diving volleys, learning how to fall down on the court. I’m not very skillful in that (smiling).
I tried to land on my left arm. I basically had a strong impact on the shoulder. When I stood up, you know, I felt that click or pop, whatever you call it. I feared, you know, maybe it might be a dislocated shoulder or something like that, or joint problem.
But luckily for me it was only an impact that had a minor effect on the joint and the muscles around, but no damage, significant, that can cause a bigger problem.
I just came from the doctor’s office, ultrasound. It’s all looking good.
Q. Other than working with Boris the next couple of days on your diving, how will this affect your regimen?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: As I said, there is no major damage which means that I’m quite confident that it will not affect my physical state or regimen or daily routine.
I think it’s going to be fine. Anyway, they told me usually in these kind of particular cases you might feel soreness in the next couple of days. But I can play around with practices and recovery and see how it goes. But I’m quite confident it’s going to be all right for next one.
Q. Any issue with your footwear? Last year there was a bit of a problem and you had to change the tread. Is that something that’s causing a problem on the grass?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, the rules are the same for everybody considering the footwear. Adidas shoes that I’ve been using for most of my professional career are quite good for the grass courts. They’re the same like Andy Murray’s or any other adidas player.
In last couple of years there were some, you know, talks and rumors about certain players having a little bit of an advantage with the sole of the shoe, but this year the referee’s office made sure that all the shoes, regardless of the ranking of the player, is exactly the same and according to the rules.
The grass courts are usually slippery at the beginning of the tournament, especially at the back of the court where I spend most of my time. It happens that you slip and fall. It happens to everybody, especially when you change the direction quickly. It’s a very dynamic sport. So we all know that there is always a potential, a danger that you’re going to fall down several times during the match the opening week.
But, again, there is not a big difference in courts. I would say slightly it’s more slippery than it was last year. But, you know, that’s grass. You can’t expect it to be different.
Q. You face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga next. What do you fear most about his game?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don’t fear anything. I expect him to serve well. I think that’s his advantage. Obviously the serve in any corner. Coming to the net, he’s a very aggressive player. If he’s on, if he feels good on the certain day, he can beat anybody really.
Going back a few years ago, playing semifinals against him, 2011, I remember that match well, and also Olympic Games. I won both of the matches but I know what threat he can cause on this surface.
Q. A couple of the younger players who have been trying to break into the top four, to make it to finals and win majors the way you and the other three guys in the top four have, have said they’ve learned a lot from the way you four conduct yourself. What would you most want them to learn from the way you four as a group have conducted yourself on and off the court?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think you have mentioned something that I think is really important, not just for a top player, a successful tennis player on the court, but also somebody that carries the name of this sport in a proper way and understands the responsibility of being a top player in a very global sport.
Having the right and proper balance between on and off court responsibilities and duties, aside the fact that you are always there to perform your best, to give your maximum of your effort, not just for you and your opponent, but for all the crowd that is coming to see you. So this is something that young players will discover and will learn in the future that every single match, wherever they are, they always have to give their best.
As they climb the rankings ladder, they will also encounter a lot of pressure, expectations from the media, from the people.
It’s not any more about them being tennis players, it’s about them being complete personalities who represent this sport.
I believe there is this responsibility of respecting your opponents, respecting everybody, respecting the sport, respecting and being grateful for the opportunity to be there.
I think, in my eyes, that’s essential for anybody who is at the top.
Q. You famously celebrate your victory by eating the grass. Some climb into the player’s box. This year Wimbledon is encouraging players not to climb up on the roof if they win. Should players be free to celebrate as they wish?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: That was also kind of a part of traditional celebrations in all the Grand Slams, especially here in Wimbledon.
I can’t say it’s wrong for the players to go straight to their box after they win the match because I understand the need to share this beautiful moment and victory with your closest ones.
Maybe it doesn’t look proper for this kind of history and tradition we have in Centre Court in Wimbledon, for the rules, just the general image. But I believe that’s also part of sincere emotions that the players show in the end, wanting to celebrate with their closest ones.
Q. Over the past months you’ve been a little reluctant to share all the tips and suggestions that Boris has made. He’s the best diver in the history of this game. Could you reveal what he’s told you already or what you anticipate him telling you about the dive?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I know you would like to hear a lot about what we talk about in the relationship and so forth. But, you know, I can’t talk too much. Those are the kind of instructions I get.
But generally where he helps me the most and where I feel the biggest change is from a mental point of view. Obviously it’s going to take a little bit of time for us to find the perfect balance and the work that we have will reflect on the court with results.
I mean, we already have now couple titles together. We have finals of French Open. It’s already starting to build up. I start to feel the effect of his advices and his presence.
Of course we are working on certain parts of my game. But there are no major changes, and there will not be any major changes. I will not start serving and volleying because this is not the way I’ve been brought up or I’ve been learned to play. I’m a different player than what he was in terms of play. But in terms of mental approach and a couple of other things, I find that we have a lot of things in common.
That’s where I always look forward to talk with him and to get this necessary experience from him and use it in my own case.
Q. You feel it’s helping you and you’re trending in the right direction?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Of course. That’s the reason why he’s there, because we want to have a success together. We want to come up with a new kind of approach that is going to allow me to grow mentally and of course as a player, and hopefully that can be very soon.
