With an improved command of Spanish, Novak Djokovic returned to Madrid. With no confirmed opponent or date (will probably be this Saturday) to make his debut within the Mutua Madrid Open, the Serb spoke to the press to speak about his emotions earlier than the event. And though he’s conscious that he’s not at his finest, he hopes to present a superb efficiency to the Spanish public.
For the primary time since 2022, ‘Nole’ returns to Madrid. “What did I miss probably the most? The ambiance. I believe it is the most effective. The entire space, the stadiums are very good, electrical if you play at night time. I at all times have a superb stage of tennis once I play right here. Now I am on the lookout for my finest stage, to see the extent I need, particularly for Roland Garros. I haven’t got many expectations with the end result, to be trustworthy, however I am very excited to play right here. I prefer to play right here as a result of I really feel the help of the folks, a variety of constructive vitality. I hope to make use of this to play nicely,” mentioned the previous world No. 1 in incredible Spanish.
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I haven’t got excessive expectations for the end result, to be trustworthy
Alcaraz’s absence
The Serb was shortly requested about introduced by the Murcian tennis participant himself hours earlier than. He is not going to be on the MMO and is not going to play a hypothetical semifinal in opposition to Djokovic. He was requested whether or not Alcaraz would attain the extent proven by Nadal, Federer and himself
Together with his outcomes, at this age, you possibly can already say that he has been greater than us at this age
“I believe he has already reached that stage of tennis. Together with his outcomes, at this age, it could possibly already be mentioned that he has been greater than us at this age. He has the profession, he has a variety of time, he has all the things essential to make historical past. To make an excellent greater historical past in our sport. His absence is just not excellent news for the event, Carlos at all times, within the final 2-3 years, is the primary star right here. The Spanish public provides him a variety of energy however bodily it’s regular for him to have issues. He received Monte Carlo and two days later he was in Barcelona. We hope to present good emotions to the general public with out Alcaraz.”
Novak mirrored on the dominance that the Spaniard can obtain, and in contrast it to his finest time and the way he shared it with Roger and Rafa: “Sure, there was dominance, clearly, from Rafa on clay, or Roger on grass; I on exhausting courtroom received, no matter, three or 4 years in a row: Indian Wells, Miami, one after one other… However that additionally got here, for me personally, that stage of dominant tennis and achievements, once I was 23, 24 years previous and after. So for example between 23 and 33 was when it actually occurred. And now Carlos is just not but 23. We should do not forget that his age and what he has executed for her is just not regular both. I am positive we’ll see him so much on the massive phases with trophies sooner or later, in 10 or 15 years, so long as he retains taking part in.”
And now Carlos is just not but 23. We should do not forget that his age and what he has executed for it, is just not regular both
Djokovic’s reflection on Alcaraz, age and competitors
“The competitors is at all times there. I believe each era has its personal competitors. It is exhausting to check eras. The final 20 years had been primarily dominated by the 4 of us, and clearly when my three greatest rivals retired, there was a change, not solely within the generations of gamers who now all of the sudden deal with them. However I assume it takes some time for folks to just accept that Roger, Rafa and Murray aren’t taking part in, and I assume sometime I’ll too. I am nonetheless attempting to remain there and signify the veterans, the earlier era. I hope that has a constructive impact on the tournaments and on the tour.”
I assume it has been some time for folks to just accept that Roger, Rafa and Murray do not play, and I assume sometime I’ll too
“That can also be one of many the explanation why I maintain taking part in: I really feel that it additionally helps tennis to thrive due to the eye and the general public that attends tournaments and is ,” Djokovic mentioned. “For those who take a look at the attendance figures on the Grand Slams and a few, like Indian Wells, attendance information have been damaged lately. It is excellent news that it does not depend upon the good stars or legends who retire. It must be that manner, it must be; the game ought to outlive everybody, it can outlive everybody, and it is extra vital than every particular person individually. So we’re all right here within the service of a sport.”
You attempt to contribute to the recognition of tennis, to draw extra folks, kids and different folks
And he concluded: “I believe it is one thing to remember: if you play and do all the things you do off the courtroom as an elite participant, you attempt to contribute to the recognition of tennis, to draw extra folks, kids and different folks, and to get them and enthusiastic about tennis. It is one thing I see occurring, however I believe we nonetheless have an extended approach to go in that regard. Sure, that is just about it.”
