THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 5, 2026

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/R. Safiullin

7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. On your career, how have you tried to integrate recovery technology into your routines? And what do you find works best for you now?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think the amount of time I spend recovering nowadays is more than I have ever done. It's just the demands of the body nowadays - more wear and tear.

I can't say I always enjoy it. It takes away a lot of the time. But it's a part of the process and adjustment to the body changes in the late years, last several years.

But throughout my career, I always try to look what can give me an edge, what's the best recovery, wellness technology out there, from hyperbaric chambers, to cryo chambers, to cold immersions, to red light therapy to pulse electromagnetic therapies, to... There's a lot of things that I have used and I've been using and still using.

Yeah, I mean, I like that. I think sometimes less is more, as well. You just kind of have to feel what really works for you.

Q. Record-breaking win today. When you look back, what's the win here that gives you the most satisfaction or pleasure?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: To be honest, haven't felt really great on the court, so I was just relieved to get out of it and get a win.

Satisfaction and enjoyment was not part of today's win, to be honest. Of course, I'm relieved and happy to win it, but I haven't enjoyed.

Hopefully next match will be better in that sense.

Q. Your reaction to the record?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Can you speak louder? Sorry, I can't hear.

Q. Congratulations on the record. Can I ask you for your reaction to surpassing Roger? How much are you now driven to equal his number of titles here at Wimbledon?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Not on my priority list, to be honest. I haven't thought about it. Didn't even know about it until after the last match win, so...

That's really quite insignificant to me at the moment.

Q. Can I ask you to elaborate a bit more, if you can, on not feeling great on the court today. Is that physical? Have to do with your game?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, not physical. Just, I think, the game. Physical was kind of okay. Just game-wise, I didn't enjoy my tennis. It's also due to him putting a lot of pressure on me, playing well.

I kind of struggled to find the game, desired level in the game that I'm looking for that I had, I think, in the second round particularly.

But a win is a win, even if you win ugly. Hopefully I can build from this.

Q. You've reached that stage so many times in Grand Slams. I'm curious if you tend to compare and be like, Last time I felt like this, then this happened? Is it something that happens when you look at the last stretch?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I've been fortunate to play many matches on the highest stage of Grand Slams. My memory is not really good these days. You're asking me. I'm trying to think about what Grand Slams I had similar experience and then ended up winning.

I mean, there's been definitely more than few where you go through a difficult match or two at least on your path to win a championship.

Of course, I'm a perfectionist at core. I always want the best game, the best performance for myself and for others and for the crowd. It's not always possible, and sometimes it's hard for me to accept that and deal with it.

It's always kind of like that fresh off the court. Need to just move on and obviously learn and be better next time.

Q. You mentioned on the court there were a few meltdowns. How much does that fire you up? Do you think it helps elevate your game at all?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I mean, sometimes it helps to kind of just filter things that are building inside. Not something I'm proud of when I get warning or something like that, I have a meltdown. Not something I'm looking for, for sure. But when it happens, it happens.

Just try to eliminate it, not think about it too long, move on to the next point and the next task at hand.

Q. I'd like to ask you about the battle with Roman. Did you enjoy it, despite everything going on?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I enjoy the battle. I enjoy the suffering in a sense, to some extent, even though I don't want it, I don't invite it. If it happens, you just have to grind and look for way to win. That's kind of what I did today again.

Against him, another inspired opponent that played really high-level tennis. I'm happy in that sense, that I managed to find a way to win because that's the end result I'm always looking for.