THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 5, 2025

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/M. Kecmanovic

6-3, 6-0, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Jannik was in here the other day saying he has taken more from you than any other player in terms of how he plays and his game. When you watch him play, do you see a version of yourself in him or hints of your game?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I do. I think it's obvious in terms of I guess the style of play that we both have, that we have quite a bit of similarities. We try to take the ball early, be aggressive, dominate the exchange from the baseline.

I remember him as a really young kid, I think he was 13, 14 years old when I met him first and hit some balls with him. Already at that point he was skinny and tall, kind of like myself. He's taller than me, but I was always quite skinny when I was younger.

He was just ripping the ball. You could see that he's got the really good timing, good speed on his strokes. He uses Head Speed racquet that I use, as well. There's quite a few similarities.

But he's unique in his own way. The work that he has done with his team over the last couple of years is tremendous in terms of his improvement. Really, serve, movement, accuracy. I mean, as much as everybody talks about the speed of his shots, but the timing is incredible.

I think he decreased the number of unforced errors he had maybe in the first few years of his career, and now he's just super accurate and constantly puts pressure on the opponent because he plays so fast.

So, yeah, I'm glad that I was able to in a sense influence him in a positive way, hopefully as someone that he was looking up to in terms of the game. He was working for quite a few years with Riccardo Piatti that used to be also my coach, who I have a great relationship with. That's how I met Jannik. Riccardo would then ask me to give advice, some guidance to Jannik. So we would talk quite a bit. I would always be happy to share.

It's amazing to see his journey, to see how good he has become, and dominant force in men's tennis.

Q. How would you describe the level of pride or satisfaction, or a different word that you might use, when you pull off a point and a shot like that diving backhand tumbling winner?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It was kind of like an ecstasy, to be honest, in that moment. Yeah, I was super, super happy. It came at a really important moment, as well. I think 4-3, deuce, long point. We both were running around each other, around the whole court. Then just that diving backhand volley down the line passing shot. Can't wait to see the highlight (smiling).

Yeah, I was pumped for that one. Obviously I'm not diving as much on the courts. Obviously the only surface where you would dive is grass. But I'm not used to it as much. So these kind of unique, rare moments are really something you cherish.

Of course, if you win a point like this in important moment is even better.

Q. Olga Danilovic, your thoughts on her progress and how you've known her for a long time. Then also your decision to play mixed with her in New York, how you decided to play that event, and play with Olga.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Olga is also someone that I've known since she was very, very young. Her father is a basketball legend in our country. Since the very young age we knew that she has a lot of talent and potential. I think she won her first WTA tournament when she was only 18 years of age. Then she struggled for few years, some injuries, confidence issues.

She was training at my center. Yeah, she's one of the probably players that I helped the most throughout my career, her and the other young men's tennis player from Serbia, Medjedovic. Those two were the biggest prospects. I was trying to support them in any way I can.

It's great to see both of them doing very well and maturing. Olga is now 30-something in the world, which is her highest ranking.

We played mixed doubles in the United Cup last year. It was fun, a lot of fun. So when I heard about the new change of the mixed doubles event at the US Open, she was the first one I thought of. I want to play with Serbian player. She's obviously the top right now.

We're both excited. It's going to be fun. I know that there's quite divided opinions on whether this should have taken place, this change or not. I understand the arguments on both sides, to be honest.

But I guess in terms of the fun and entertainment and attracting the top players, singles, both men, women, that's what they got with this change.

But again, I do understand the arguments on the other side saying two days, short format, you shouldn't be named the Grand Slam champion. But it is what it is. US Open or USTA makes these decisions.

I'm excited to play that mixed doubles event. It's a very short couple-day event. I think it should be very, very entertaining.

Q. Alex de Minaur has waited a year for this clash. Can you reflect a little bit about what happened this time last year when you were going to play him and he had to pull out? How dangerous does this make him as an opponent? He's very hungry.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I mean, Alex has also improved his game tremendously in the last couple years. He's playing the tennis of his life. He's definitely knocking on the door of the final stages of Grand Slams.

He's gotten to the quarters several times. Yeah, last year had to pull out unfortunately because of his injury. This year again he's there. He hasn't dropped a set. He's playing well.

You're not super excited to play Alex de Minaur on grass, that's for sure, because he's so quick and he's complete player, all around. He has gained pace on his serve, as well. He hits his spots very well.

Just a tough, very tough challenge expecting me. I'm looking forward to it. I think it's going to be a great test to see where my game is at against a top player like Alex.

Q. You touched on the way he's improved. Can I get you to look back at the matchups you've had with him, the dominant one two years ago in the Australian Open, beat you at the United Cup, and another one in Monte-Carlo.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, look, obviously he's a different player nowadays than what he was two years ago. Not that he was not good two years ago, but I think just today, last 12 months, he's been very strong and consistent. Fit as well. Very fit. I think physically he's gotten stronger. Speed was never an issue, we know that. Just the overall great competitor.

As I said, arguably playing his best tennis on grass because ball bounces low, he stays low, he plays quite flat, loves to play fast, loves to absorb the pace. Yeah, just great player.

I think it's going to be a good match.