Novak Djokovic is already in the third round of the US Open after beating the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in three sets. At the post-match press conference, the Serbian was very happy with the level displayed in the match. “It was a great match, definitely better than the first round. I feel very happy with how I found myself on the court. I served very well and found the rhythm to serve. I made him play, I saw him play for the first time in his first round match a couple of days ago against Struff and he served very well. I knew that one of the keys to the game would be my rest, trying to make him play and move. He is not the best moving on the court and I looked for something different. Everything worked out very good, I'm very happy with my tennis level and everything is going in the right direction “
Djokovic was also asked about Kei Nishikori, his next rival in the tournament, of which he stressed that, despite doing well, he can put him in trouble. “We have played many times. I have good results against him. The last time I lost to him I think it was here in the semi-finals in 2014. I think this is his most successful Grand Slam. He is one of the fastest and most talented players that I have. seen in my career. It will be important for me to serve well and try to play at a calm pace because he likes to play fast, hit the ball and protect the line. I know his game. We saw each other at the Tokyo Games and I know what waiting”.
The Serbian was also highly critical of a fan's attitude during the match, arguing that he made noise on purpose during several of his points. “There have been people who have made noise during points. When we players talk about it, someone who is watching team sports will say: 'What a spoiled child'. But this is a different sport. There is a lot of noise in the stadium, especially at night sessions. I don't mind. Sometimes during the point people get excited, scream or make some sound or sigh, and that's fine. But if someone makes a noise on purpose several times, I can tolerate it up to a point but it's not right, it's not right, it's not fair. I feel like it's not good for us. That guy, for some reason, was making sounds or yelling before I hit my smash. He'd done it more times already and kept doing. You know it's not pretty. I don't care about the noise, I don't think it's bad, it's important for entertainment. But if someone does it over and over again, especially when they're by your side, they know why they're doing it. The guy I pointed to knew, that's all. “
Djokovic could not escape the question about the best in history in the debate that he, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal have generated and even joked about what this duel would be like on a neutral surface. “Who would be better on a neutral surface? What surface would it be? Ice? Water? One of the best images I've seen in tennis is playing half a grass court and a half clay court. I think it was fantastic. The one who came up with that idea was a genius. As a fan I really enjoyed it. But yeah, it's hard to say who is the best of the three. We are different and have different styles. We have had different trajectories and careers to get to where we are now. We have had very great times. successes, some on some surfaces and some on others. We complement each other. I think the rivalry between Nadal, Federer and I is phenomenal for our sport. The more talk there is about us, the debate about the best in history and others, I think it's better for our sport. “