PACIFIC LIFE OPEN
March 17, 2008
Novak Djokovic
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. How is your level of confidence at this point of the
tournament?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's good. You know, I think I gained
something in my game. I figure out with experience how I
should play in the first couple of rounds. I was playing the
first two matches as much as I needed to. I didn't push
myself too much and didn't play on my top, top level.
But, you know, it's two times in the first two rounds
straight-set victory. It's very much needed. And it's good
that I rationally spending energy, and I'm happy for that.
Q. Will you need your top, top level for the next match
against Guillermo Caņas?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I think so. Now, of course, upcoming
matches are, you know, getting more difficult. Of course
it's normal. You're getting to the final stages of the
tournament and the players are better.
I played Guillermo one time in Miami last year, and I played
one of my best tennis, I think, in that final. It was a
three-set victory. Seems easy, but still, you know, you got
to really work hard for it.
He's kind of player that he's not going to give you a lot of
free points, unforced errors. He's going to make you work
for it. I expect that, I know.
The good thing is that I have another day to, you know, get
ready, recover, and get to that match 100%.
Q. Considering the fact that he's the one who had beaten
Federer last year here and then repeated in Miami where you
won, how concern you might be because of the fact that he
might also know your game and he knows very well obviously
Federer's game?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, about Federer, that's another story.
We don't need to talk about this. One thing is for sure: He
likes playing here. He won against the best player of the
world back to back tournaments and he reached the finals in
Miami, but I played better than him.
I played finals in Indian Wells and I won Miami, so I don't
have to be concerned so much. I think I have enough
confidence and enough motivation and I'm matured and I have
more experience.
So, you know, we know each other pretty well. There is no
secrets. But now whoever is more focused for the game is
going to win.
Q. Do you know the schedule for the rest of the event? No
now that you're one of the top players, do you get talked to
about when you might want to start and how the days will
work out?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, yeah. You can't -- you put your
request, of course. Whenever you want to play or you think
it's the best for you.
But it doesn't need to -- it doesn't mean that you're going
to get that certain period or you know, scheduled match when
you wish to be, because we have to as well consider the TV,
the tournament, the fans.
A lot of things. It's a lot of details that we need to take
care of.
Q. What are your requests?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, they're not all the same. Depending on
the date.
Q. You obviously now will play on Wednesday. Do you know
what happens after that, if you win?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, we'll take it easy.
Q. Do you know if you play Thursday and if you would have
another day and play Friday, Saturday, Sunday?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, no. I just watch my next match.
End of FastScripts
