
Novak Djokovic overcame his first hurdle at the 2025 Australian Open, improving as the match progressed. His victory against Basavareddy also showcased his partnership with Andy Murray, the first time this duo has worked closely together. During the press conference, Djokovic fielded numerous questions about his relationship with the British player, praising various aspects of Murray's game that add an extra dimension to his own.
- Performance assessment and impressions of Basavareddy's game
"I was really impressed. I think everyone in the stadium was because they gave him a huge round of applause at the end of the match. They witnessed the quality of tennis he played and his fighting spirit. A big round of applause for how he stepped on the court in his Grand Slam debut, playing the way he did. Well done. If he continues like this, we will see a lot more of him in the future. He has a good touch and is quite a complete player overall. There is room for improvement in his shots, of course, but he already has a very good tennis game.
As for my performance, I don't think I started well at all. I lost the first set. I had some chances to level it towards the end of the first set, but I was very passive from the baseline, letting him dictate the game. At 4-3 in the second set, I played a great game. It was a crucial break. I started to shift the momentum of the match to my side. I served very well, I think my serve was good. Some of my shots worked well at certain moments, and not so well at others. There were ups and downs. I finished the match well, and I think that's important. It adds a lot mentally for the rest of the tournament."
- Whether Murray's signing was heavily influenced by his ability to analyze the game during the match, and if he can give any hints about what he said at certain moments
"Unfortunately, no, that will stay between us. Yes, we try to have a lot of communication, both on and off the court. We talk before the match, before warm-up. Just now, five minutes ago, we talked about the match, how I feel, how he thinks I played, and what we need to do in training tomorrow, etc. Communication is key to understanding each other and finding a formula that works, that's where we are.
Since we haven't spent much time together, we are still in that initial phase of getting to know each other. It was our first match together, and I like having Andy on the bench. The new seat arrangement, basically on the court, also helps me hear my entire team better. At times I approached Andy and asked him some things, he gave me his feedback and opinion. I enjoy talking to him; he understands this sport better than anyone. He's a legend. He understands the ups and downs you go through on the court, not just in terms of tennis, but mentally and physically. I don't need to explain much to him; he knows what I'm going through. He wants me to show energy, to motivate me so that everything works. Today he did a great job, getting up several times, cheering me on. He's a great guy, and it's great to have him in my corner."
- Regarding the timing of his matches and the possibility of playing at night
"Wherever they put me, I have to accept it. As you mentioned, I think I have also earned my right to be in touch with the tournament organization and express, depending on the specific day and opponent, what I would like. There is communication, of course. I'm not the only player who communicates with the tournament director, either through my team or otherwise. That's all I can say."
- Possibility of facing Alcaraz in the quarterfinals: What challenges does such a match present?
"We are still far away from discussing that possible matchup. Overall, he is a player who exudes energy and intensity abundantly. From that perspective, he reminds me a lot of Rafa. He's a very complete player. He can hurt you from anywhere, on any surface. His versatility is amazing. It's impressive to see how he has reached that level of tennis and mental maturity on the court at his age. He's been one of the best players in the world for the last three, four years, undoubtedly. He's winning Slams every season. I'm convinced he won't stop here; we'll see a lot of Carlos in the coming years."
- Initial strange feelings, but what Murray contributes the most
"He's constantly supporting me and cheering me on. He does a brilliant job in that regard. He cares a lot and puts in a lot of energy to make me feel good on the court. Honestly, I think that's what I need. I was looking for that extra motivation, an extra that I have with Andy."
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic, feliz junto a Murray: "Necesitaba ese extra de motivación, y Andy me la da"