Question: You said in court that playing Rafa at Roland Garros is the biggest challenge in sport. Can you explain why What do you have to do to beat him on Sunday?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, isn’t it obvious? He won this tournament so many times that I don’t think any player has won a tournament that often. He has lost in this place twice in his entire career. Obviously the conditions are different from what we are used to in May and June. I think this could be a better chance for me, obviously the ball doesn’t bounce as high over the shoulder as it normally likes.
Yeah, I mean, look no matter the conditions, he’s still there, he’s Rafa, he’s in the final and we’re playing on clay. I know this feeling as the best of five who played him in the finals at Roland Garros. I’ve lost most of the games we’ve played to him on this court, but I also won a game in 2015 in even sets in quarters. This is the match that I’m going to look back on and obviously try to get some positive things out of it and use it tactically against him.
I don’t feel so physically exhausted after today’s game, almost four hours, obviously. It was a great battle. But I am fine. I think a day and a half will be enough time for me to recover. I’m really looking forward to a great fight with Rafa.
Q. He is aiming for his 20th slam title. You’re going for your 18th. People say this may be the greatest match you have ever played. Do you feel that maybe there is more at stake this time?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: The Grand Slam final is always huge. This is what you work on all year long in the hope that you can put yourself in a position to compete for Grand Slam trophies. But I don’t think it’s the greatest match I’ve ever played in my life. I think there were some bigger ones.
In terms of importance, when I have to compare, although I don’t like it, I mean probably the first Wimbledon final that I actually played against him. Wimbledon was always who I wanted to win as a kid and who I dreamed of winning. That’s probably the one who stands out. French Open 2016 against Andy Murray here. Every French Open final I’ve played has been the match of my life before I actually won it.
Yeah, I mean, there is some meaning and a certain difference when I play the French Open final against another slam final. This is the one I’ve won the least, so of course I’m extremely motivated to try to get my hands on another trophy.
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