QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN

February 18, 2025

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

M. BERRETTINI/N. Djokovic

7-6, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: First question, please.

Q. It's always difficult the first tournament after an injury. Did you felt some tension or lack of freedom?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I mean, I didn't have any pain or discomfort in that sense. I mean, I was outplayed by just a better player today.

Yes, I wasn't at my desired level, and, you know, it could be that I'm still not moving the way I want to move, but, I mean, I played without pain, so there is no excuse in that. He was just the better player. I think he played a master class match, to be honest, tactically, and served very well, so just a very deserved win from his side.

Q. Hard luck, Novak. I want to ask you about Andy, your coach. Is he coming just for in the Grand Slams? Because in Brisbane we didn't see him with you, we saw him in Australian Open, and again he's not here. What's motivated you to, because we heard in the newspapers that he cannot be your coach until Wimbledon, so what motivates you to, let's say, renew with him or to make it like a long-term?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, we agreed to work until the end of the clay season, so we'll see what happens after that.

Q. Tough luck, Novak. I think you are, to me, the best example of longevity in sports, and maybe in adapting to new circumstances. These past season maybe we're seeing more injuries are creeping up with you. What's your plan? Is there any change in tactics, like going from baseline to maybe to net more often?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I mean, I am trying to improve my game, as everybody else, but, you know, my game is not going to change now drastically. I'm not going to play serve and volley, maybe every once in a while, but my game is what it is, the core is going to be the same. I'm going to try, obviously, to adjust depending upon the surface that I play on and so forth.

So, yeah, there's more injuries, for sure. Things are not the same like 10 years ago, 15 years ago. I still try to take care of my body on a daily basis, and, yeah, it's more challenging now, no doubt, but, you know, I still try to do my very best, given the circumstances.

Q. What are your plans now? Are you playing Indian Wells, Miami, both of them, and what's your schedule in the future?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, my plan is to try to go as far as I can in doubles, you know. I'm still in doubles tournament tomorrow with Verdasco, and I look forward to that. So, I'll stay in Doha at least for one more match, and then we see.

I mean, yeah, obviously I was planning to go to Indian Wells and Miami, so I'll talk with my team after I finish with this tournament.