Novak Djokovic’s most difficult moments in press conferences – and his best replies
Novak Djokovic is noted for his long, detailed and thoughtful answers in press conferences, but there have been moments when he has struggled to contain his annoyance.
Here, we look at some of his most challenging moments in front of the media:
When asked at the 2016 ATP Final whether he should have been disqualified for hitting a ball towards the crowd he replied:
“I keep doing these things? Why don’t I get suspended, then? I’m close? I’m still not suspended, so if I’m not close, I’m not close. It could have been (serious), yes. It could have snowed in O2 arena, as well, but it didn’t. I’m the only player that shows his frustration on the court? That’s what you are saying? It is not an issue for me. It’s not the first time I did it.”
At the 2018 French Open, he was asked this question after losing to Marco Cecchinato, Djokovic appeared to question whether he would play on grass that summer, before he went on to win Wimbledon. This was his exchange with the media after his French Open exit:
Q. In the last months, they have said Novak is not fighting. He has lost his spirit. I know today was a question of a few points, but you are there back. In your eyes you could see during the match…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I am back in the locker room. That’s where I’m back.
Q. Did you have issues going into this match or were there things that crept up?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Just couple of things, but nothing major, really. I don’t want to talk about that.
Q. Do you feel like this is the kind of match that in a couple months’ time, matches under your belt…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don’t know.
Q. Can you summarize how difficult it is to come back on the level you want?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It is difficult. Many things in life are difficult.
Q. Are you able to articulate…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I’m not. I’m sorry, I’m not.
Q. When do you think you’ll first play on the grass?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m going to play on grass.
Q. At all?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don’t know if I’m going to play on grass.
During the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, Djokovic was asked when it feels like to be the ‘bad guy’ chasing after Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. He offered a polite and pointed response:
“I don’t consider myself a bad guy. I’m not chasing anybody. I’m making my own path and my own journey, my own history, I’m privileged to be part of the history of this sport that I love. I know about a lot of stats, I don’t know about all of them. But they do motivate me even more to play my best tennis at the events that count the most in our sport.”
When presented with a set of financial figures he has collected in his successful career, Djokovic has a joke to dismiss the suggestion he is motivated by dollars?
“No, only my Euros!,” he said. “Ibrahimovic said something the other day when a journalist asked him if he turned down 100 million to move to another club. Isn’t that a lot of money. He said, money is not important. Lots of money is important and 100 million is not enough! It’s all public, people can see what we are earning, even though the media don’t talk about tax and expenses. I have been blessed and lucky and it comes with my tennis and the success I’ve had and my team. Every Euro I have earned was through hard sweat and tears, but I don’t take anything for granted. I know what it feels like to have zero on the table and war and sanctions. Let’s not forget where I come from. This helps me to appreciate everything I earn more.”
At this year’s French Open, Djokovic used his press conference to criticise fans for interfering in matches by shouting out during and between points.
“I think the majority of the people come to enjoy tennis or support one or the other player. But there are people that love to boo every single thing you do. That’s something that I find disrespectful and I frankly don’t understand that. But it’s their right. They paid the ticket. They can do whatever they want. Actually 99% of the time I will stay quiet. Sometimes I will oppose that, because I feel when somebody is disrespectful, he or she deserves to have an answer to that.”
At this year’s US Open, Djokovic was asked to explain the key to success against Taylor Fritz and he shut down the reporter in double quick time.
“I’m not gonna talk about what he needs to do to have a chance against me,” he said. “I am sure he is going to try and figure that out with his coach.”
READ MORE: WATCH: Emotional scenes as Novak Djokovic is overcome with tears during Serbia homecoming
