ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS

October 3, 2025

Novak Djokovic

Mixed Zone

N. DJOKOVIC/M. Cilic

7-6, 6-4

Q. (Question about speaking Chinese.)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Not really, those are some of the phrases I've learned over the years, so I have to update my Chinese, knowledge of the Chinese language. It's always a pleasure to play in front of such passionate fans. People have been giving me lots of love and support over the years, so I try to give them back with good tennis, and also, you know, a basic knowledge of Chinese language with a few phrases.

It was amazing to see the packed house tonight. I know it's national holidays and weekend, but it's just, for the first match, it's incredible. It's one of the most beautiful stadiums, and I totally enjoy myself.

I suffered as well on the court due to a high-intensity match, and Marin was an amazing opponent. Yeah, just happy to overcome the first challenge.

Q. We spoke with Holger today, he said that your practice helped him a lot.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I made him say that.

Q. Who will you practice with tomorrow?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don't know. I don't know. Let's see. Maybe with him again. We always have really high-intensity practice sessions, and it's good. Sometimes we push each other too much, you know, for the practice. I think bringing such a high level of focus and dedication is really good to see with a young guy like him. I enjoy it because it prepares me in the best possible way for the tournament, and for what's waiting for me on the match.

Q. How are you holding up physically in these hot and humid conditions?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's crazy humid, to be honest. I don't recall the weather being so humid in China. I don't remember the last time I played in humidity like this. It is what it is, you know, it's the same for me, my opponent, and every other player. You just have to accept it, deal with it. A lot of sweating. The laundry bills will be quite high this week, but that's okay. Hopefully I can keep it going.

Q. You served really well tonight. Nine aces. You saved break points there toward the end. Talk about that performance.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think serving performance was great. I aced him more than he aced me, which is not very common when you play somebody like Marin. He has got one of the best serves in the world. He was very aggressive. When he feels the ball, he plays so flat, so deep. He's a big guy, and he had clear tactical intention to make me uncomfortable and make me defend, which he did in the first set. I dug myself out of trouble with the serve and some good shots. But, you know, it was a tough match for me, no doubt about it. It's good sometimes to kick start the tournament with such a match.

Q. It feels like we traveled back in time with you and Cilic playing this battle. Do you have this feeling too, and what's the most you miss from these golden times against your biggest rivals?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Today before the match I thought about the combined age of me and Marin. It's 75. So that's a lot.

Q. Oldest in a Masters 1000?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: There you go. Hopefully we can play a few more, make more records. But, yeah, I think we both performed like we were maybe 15 years younger, which is good. We keep challenging each other, but also the young guys on the tour.

At the end of the day, age doesn't matter when you walk out on the court, you have to find a way to win, so that's the end game.