Novak Djokovic Interview - Hamburg, May 17

DJOKOVIC: Yes. It was great to be a part of a fantastic tennis match. I felt that the quality of tennis today was on a really high level and I'm happy for that. Unfortunately, it finished with a loss for me but I have to take only the best out of this match. I was unlucky in some stages of the 1st and 3rd set. But hopefully next time, it will be better.

Q: How would you rank this match in your career?

DJOKOVIC: One of the best. Maybe even the best that I have played on clay that I remember.

Q: Do you come out of it knowing that you are a much better clay court player?

DJOKOVIC: Yes, sure. I just want to take the positive things out of this match. I know that luck played a big role. But I feel that with this performance, I'm getting closer to him on clay. Hopefully next time, I can get a win.

Q: I know you won't want to take anything away from him but when you say luck, what do you mean in particular?

DJOKOVIC: I had so many opportunities. I had some net calls out, some mistakes my inch. I didn't make any wrong shots, I did the right shots at the right time. I was going for it. I was not waiting for his mistakes. I was playing right. In the end, I just didn't have luck to get the points. That was unfortunate.

Q: You played at such a high level to come back and win the second set. Did you feel a slight let down at the beginning of the third?

DJOKOVIC: Yes, the first game was very crucial. It is very important for me to make a lead in that first game of the 3rd. I made two unforced errors that I maybe shouldn't and he used it. He used it wisely. He is in my opinion the best defence player in the history of this sport. So, he knows how to use his opportunities wisely. So, better luck next time.

Q: Did you think during this match at the No. 2 ranking?

DJOKOVIC: No. As I said I was not thinking about ranking too much. I knew that this is a big opportunity for me. But I was just trying to focus on my game and his game and the way I should win against him and not the way I should pray to God how to get the ranking No. 2 or whatever. I have to earn it. For me it was a challenge to play today and it was a very high level of performance.

Q: You changed a lot: you went to the net, you used drop shots …

DJOKOVIC: Yes, I tried a lot of things. Sometimes maybe even too much. But, I'm happy that I gained a lot of pace skills, especially I improved on clay a lot. I think everybody could see that. I feel really confident.

Q: It's pretty good too to play Masters Series back to back and then play a match, which is 3 hours long. You must be pleased with your physical capacity?

DJOKOVIC: I am. I'm not extremely tired. I have a little muscle soreness but not more than that. I think I'm going to be really fit for the French Open.

Q: Is it the next chance to get the second position?

DJOKOVIC: Well, it is an opportunity but let's not talk about that too much. I don't want to get that in my head. I just want to keep on going and results will come.

Q: What is your programme now?

DJOKOVIC: Obviously I need to take 2, 3 days off at least. I don't have so much time, next is Paris and I need to prepare and try to get far.

Q: You plan to arrive very early in Paris?

DJOKOVIC: I have some obligations in Serbia. So, I'll arrive Wednesday.

Q: Are you able to say what those are?

DJOKOVIC: One of them is really interesting. There is a Eurosong in Serbia now. I'm going to be in the opening ceremony on Tuesday night. So, this is something interesting.

Q: You are not going to sing?

DJOKOVIC: No, no (laughs). I think there are much better candidates for Serbia than me.