Wimbledon June 18 2011 Na Li

An interview with:

           

NA LI

       
 

            Q.  You must be very confident, even though it's a different surface from Paris coming into Wimbledon.  Two slams this year, and you've been in both finals.

            NA LI:  Of course confident, but different surface.  So it's another ‑ how you say ‑ just another tournament because Paris is over.

            Now I just focused on the Wimbledon, yeah.

            Q.  Have you had time to reflect about being a Grand Slam champion?  Do you feel different?  After two weeks, what has gone through your mind about that?

            NA LI:  No, just the next day wake up.  I was asking my husband it's real or fake, you know, because I still didn't believe.  But after I take three days off and then try to come back to the tennis court again.

            I mean, I just win a tournament, so now I would like to do the same like before:  just focus every tournament, try the best at tennis, yeah.

            Q.  When we saw you at the end of the French you said you hadn't talked to your mother.  Did she end up watching it?  What did she have to say to you?

            NA LI:  No, after match she just send me the text message.  She ask when I was back.  I say, After Wimbledon, and then she never send me back again, so...  (Laughter.)

            Q.  So did she watch?

            NA LI:  I think she know I win the tournament.  I don't know if even she know how big tournament is.  I didn't ask her.

            Q.  You have not been back to China?

            NA LI:  No.

            Q.  Do you have an idea of the reaction back in China?  Quite a few people watched you apparently.  Are you aware of any reaction in China to your success?

            NA LI:  After Paris I stay in Europe.  I know if I back to China people will be crazy.  So, you know, now is Wimbledon.  I mean, if I didn't do well maybe they forget me already, so...

            So I think need to take the time, and then, yeah.

            Q.  Do you feel more pressure coming into this Wimbledon than in the past because you're now coming having won the French Open, having been in the two Grand Slam finals this year?

            NA LI:  No.  I mean, of course was a little bit pressure, but I like it.  That can improve you a lot.  Yeah, I mean, you win the French Open, doesn't mean anything you can do well in Wimbledon.  Change of surface.  Totally different.

            So what I say before:  French is over.  So I don't think about what I'm doing.  I thinking about what I should have to do, yeah.

            Q.  Did you do anything special to celebrate, buy yourself a special present?

            NA LI:  Yeah, after final I just have dinner with the China consulate in Paris and.  Next day I was fly to Munich.  Nothing special.  You know, just sleep, eat, totally rest.

            Q.  No special present or anything?

            NA LI:  Not yet.

            Q.  Do you know what you want?

            NA LI:  I'll think about, you know, if I do well in Wimbledon so I can ask my husband, yeah.

            Q.  How about a diamond ring?

            NA LI:  I think diamond ring only I can get one time, right?  (Laughter.)

            Q.  On Tuesday you have this match against Alla.  Tell us what you think of her as a player?  You played her in Beijing.  What is she like?

            NA LI:  What is she like?

            Q.  What is she like to play against?

            NA LI:  No, is totally different.  I play her Beijing, is hard court.  So in grass court everything can happen.  Of course, now opponents see you different.

            I'm sure is tough match.  But, yeah, I wish I can win the match.

            Q.  What are the tricky elements of her?  What makes her difficult to play?

            NA LI:  I mean, I don't even think about what the opponent play looks like.  I just needs focus on my tennis on the court.

            Q.  You reached the quarterfinals here last year.  Clearly you're quite good at playing on grass as well.  Do you expect to do better this year than the quarterfinals?

            NA LI:  I mean, of course.  I always like to do better than last year.  But, you know, I mean, every player's tough.  Of course I have a lot of tough match.

            But right now I just think about round by round.  I'm not think about far away, yeah.

            Q.  You've played a few Wimbledons now.  Can I ask you what are your impressions of London, this country, whether you have a special routine you go through, how much you've seen of London and the surrounding area?

            NA LI:  I didn't want to say that, but I was see London like zero, you know.  I mean, I know you always traveling all over the world, but always like tennis court, hotel, airport.

            We are players, so we have to focus on tournament, of course.  You know, after tournament, just go back to home or prepare for next tournament.

            Until now I didn't even see London, so I hope I can have time to see this year.

            Q.  Anywhere you particularly want to see?

            NA LI:  The matches start Monday, so I don't want to think about what I should see.  I have to think about what I should play on the court.

            Q.  Even though you are focusing on this tournament, how important is it for you to realize that back home people are inspired by your victory, they talk about the sport being rejuvenated in China?

            NA LI:  So, yeah, I mean, right now I couldn't imagine if I go back what happen.  It's tough to say.  I can answer after I'm back to London.

            Q.  What would it mean to you in 10 years' time if there were 10 Chinese women in the top 30 and people say it began with Li Na, she opened the door to Chinese tennis?

            NA LI:  I mean, I don't think it's mean for China, but for me it just like dream come true.  I think was a little bit improve tennis in China, because right now I think more children, they saw match.  They think about, Okay, maybe someday I can do the same or even better than her.

            I think now the children have more confident to play professional tennis.

            Q.  Does your modesty forbid you from saying that you can win Wimbledon?

            NA LI:  I can't or I can?

            Q.  That you can.

            NA LI:  I wish I can also.

            Q.  You've been through this before because you've been a Wimbledon junior champion ‑ actually you still are.  Did that change the whole idea of tennis in China, or do you think your last victory is actually even more important?

            NA LI:  I mean, tennis in China last so many years, of course now I think now is change little bit.  I think tennis now in China got bigger and bigger, yeah.  But I don't know how much improve.  For sure, improve a little bit.

            Q.  What is the biggest difference about your feeling about tennis and about your game as a result of winning the French Open?

            NA LI:  Experience.  I mean, it's not only one thing can say was total different.  I mean, I was come to tour many years, so, you know, just keep the experience and try to never give up.

            Q.  On that subject, you are 28, 29 now.

            NA LI:  Yes, 29.

            Q.  You look 21.

            NA LI:  Thank you.  (Laughter.)

            Q.  Why do you think now you have become so good?  Obviously in the ladies' game they're 21, 22, 23.  What is it that made you a champion at the age of 29, do you think?

            NA LI:  I think Asia player is different than Western.  Also you can see right now in the top player, like maybe not like before always like young player come to the top.  I think now even more physical and also strong in the mind and also more experience.  So everything have to be together.

            But I think for the young player, I mean, they're not so strong like not say us, yeah.

                       

Wimbledon June 18 2011 Andy Murray

An interview with:

           

ANDY MURRAY

  
 

            Q.  It looks like you're going to play Monday.  The weather forecast isn't brilliant.  It looks as though the roof could well be closed.  You had experience two years ago.  You weren't that happy with the roof, as I recall.

            ANDY MURRAY:  No.  I think what happened was that is that I got asked to say what the feeling was like compared to playing outdoors.  It's more humid.  It slows the conditions down and the balls become heavier.

            Whether that's good for me or not, I never said that.  That was just what I said.  At the time I was the first one to play a match under it, and that is what the indoor court does.

            And the roof, I've never played on grass before.  It was a new experience for me.  It was obviously great to get the match finished, if you can.

            But who knows if I'll be on Centre Court or not.  I'll have to wait and see.

            Q.  What were your thoughts when you heard Isner and Mahut would be rematched?  What do you look forward to in that rematch?

            ANDY MURRAY:  Well, yeah, couldn't believe it.  I don't know exactly what the odds were, but I think because neither of them are seeded, it's, yeah, just extraordinary.  Their match last year was incredible.  It's not going to happen again.  It will never happen again.

            I feel for them a little bit that people might be hyping the match up a lot, and it's not going to be the same scoreline.

            I would like to see them play on a big court.  I think they deserve it.  Yeah, it is amazing they've drawn themselves again.

            Q.  What do you remember most from last year?

            ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah, well, I mean, I was obviously sort of playing matches and stuff at the time.  I think it took three days for it to finish, is that right?  And, yeah, it's just amazing.

            Like you'd go and practice and then you'd come back, and you'd be like, Oh, it's still going.  Then you'd go like for lunch, come back, it's like 34‑All.  It's just weird.  Every time you would go away and do something, you were sort of preparing yourself for the next match.  They were just going for so long.  It was amazing.

            Q.  We've asked you many times.  Just checking on the ankle.

            ANDY MURRAY:  No, it feels all right.  It feels good.  Had no problems with it in practice the last few days.  Been doing all the training that I wanted to do.  I haven't had to stop any practice, practice like at Queen's, so it's all good.

            Q.  You said you were hoping the fife or six days would go quickly heading towards the Championship.  Do you feel now that the curtain is about to rise, can you give us your thoughts as you return to the Centre Court?

            ANDY MURRAY:  It's gone quickly.  I think it's been quite tough for everyone because it's just been tough conditions.  Obviously a lot of rain showers on and off today is a good example.

            And, yeah, I think I've got good enough practice in.  I always look forward, yeah, to the start of the tournament.  For me it's quite a long buildup, the five or six days beforehand.

            Ready to go now.

            Q.  What is your reaction to the draw?  Pretty much what you might have expected?

            ANDY MURRAY:  I'm not looking anywhere past the first match.  It's not worth it.  It's happened to me before when I was younger, and you lose if you're thinking about playing against Nadal in the semifinals or whoever it is in the quarterfinals.

            There's tough matches everywhere, as you would have seen last year watching the tournament.  You know, Rafa had a couple of long five‑set matches that he nearly lost.  Roger nearly lost in the first round against someone that you would have never expected him to lose to, and for someone to push him so close.  I think Falla served for the match.  It's not just worth it.

            Q.  What about your first‑round opponent?

            ANDY MURRAY:  I know him quite well because we grew up playing a lot of the same junior tournaments.  When I went over to Spain I saw him quite a lot.  He's a solid, good all‑around player.  He serves pretty good; solid forehand.  Similar to a lot of the Spanish guys, so I'll have to work hard.

            Q.  We have a new star at Wimbledon in Li Na who, like you, holds the hopes of an entire nation on her shoulders, albeit a larger nation.  Do you have any words of advice for her?

            ANDY MURRAY:  Well, she's won a slam, so I should be the one asking her for the advice (smiling).

            I think she handles everything really, really well.  I've seen a lot of her interviews on court.  She seems very relaxed, easy to talk to.  It's great for the whole of tennis, you know, that an Asian star has come through and is competing right at the top of the game.

            So no other advice for her.  She's doing very well.

            Q.  How much time have you been able to spend with Darren in the last four or five days, and has it been court time or conversational time?

            ANDY MURRAY:  I spent a lot of time with him on the court.  Every day he's been with us through all of the practices.  He wasn't at Stoke Park yesterday, but every other session I've done he's been there.

            Danny's spent a lot of time with him in the evening.  They're both staying in the Village, so they spend a lot of time together.

            Q.  And conversational?

            ANDY MURRAY:  No, just we've been chatting when we're around.  We had quite a few lunches together.  I had a day off on Thursday.  We met for lunch.  Yeah, had a chat about things.  Yeah, it's been good.

            Q.  With the weather forecast not great, do you think players like yourself, Roger, and Rafa might have a little bit of an advantage in that you're the guys that are going to be playing on Centre Court?

            ANDY MURRAY:  There's definitely an advantage to get your match finished, for sure, if the weather's not good.  Yeah, it's an advantage.  No more to say than that.  If you can get on and get your match done, you know, you don't have to play back‑to‑back days.  It's tough over five sets.

            Q.  When people are talking about potential winners, they seem to focus on the big four as you're called.  Who do you think, outside of you, Roger, Rafa, and Novak can go on and potentially spring a surprise, maybe win here?

            ANDY MURRAY:  There's a lot of the big hitters, guys like Soderling, Roddick, Tsonga, Berdych.  They're all guys that I think have got a good chance if they play their best tennis.  They're all huge servers, big guys, over 6'4", very athletic.  They're the sort of guys that are going to be very dangerous.

            Q.  With or without Li Na's advice, how is this tournament different for you from the others because of the pressure and the weight and the expectations?

            ANDY MURRAY:  It's not.  It isn't different.  Everyone asks me every year.  It really isn't.  The buildup to the tournament is.  The four, five days are a little bit different than what I'm used to.  But once the tournament starts, it isn't.

            You get obviously the support on the Centre Court, and on the other courts that I play on.  I've always had really, really good support.  It makes a big difference.  It's just nice being able to go back home and watch the same TV that you always watch and stay in your own bed.

            It's way more relaxing in many ways than a lot of the other tournaments.

            Q.  Do you think there's a favorite for this tournament?

            ANDY MURRAY:  No.  I think, you know, you've got guys obviously like Roger and Rafa who have so much experience of playing in the slams and going deep into the slams, that I think experience‑wise they would be head and shoulders above everybody else.

            But Novak this year has played unbelievably well, so he'd be up there.  And then, yeah, I think there's, like I said, a bunch of guys that are very dangerous and have a chance to win.

            Q.  Do you think you're getting closer to them?

            ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah.  I mean, I think, you know, this year Djokovic has definitely improved a lot.  But I felt like when I played against him in Rome, you know, I was very close to winning it.  I served for the match, so I had my chance there.

            Obviously the French Open was a good tournament for me, and also Queen's.  So the last few months have definitely been closer.

            But to get ahead of him in the rankings, I can't have two or three months like I did after the Australian Open where I didn't win a match and wasn't playing well at all.  So I need to keep the consistency I've had the last few months up for the whole year.

            Q.  What would it mean for you to win a Grand Slam title?  Can you point to a thing or two that has to go right specifically here for you to take that step?

            ANDY MURRAY:  You need to play your best at the end of the tournament, that's for sure.  And, yeah, that's what I work towards.  That's, you know, why I play tennis now, is to give myself a chance to win these tournaments and be competing for them each time I play in them.

            So, yeah, it would mean a lot.  For all the players that have won slam titles and all the guys that have come close to winning them, it's a great feeling to get to the latter stages of them, but it's tough when you just fall short.

            That keeps giving me the motivation to keep doing the training and working hard to do it.

            Q.  Given how well you're playing now ‑ all four of you at the top ‑ and given this surface, how strong would you say the top four seeds are at this tournament right now compared to maybe any other you've played in?

            ANDY MURRAY:  Well, I think this surface, I believe there's less players that play well on grass than on the clay and hard courts now, and I feel like we've played good tennis on the grass in the past.  Last year I think Roger was the only one not to make it through to the semis, and that was a huge surprise.

            So I think this year, you know, everyone's playing really good tennis, and I think there's other guys, you know, outside of the top four that are playing really well, too.  So I think tennis is in a great place just now.  I think it's going to be a fun tournament; definitely going to be some surprises.

            I wouldn't be surprised if there were guys outside the top four who made it through to the semis.

            Q.  Do you think you've got a bit down on yourself after the Australian Open, and is that what contributed to your poor form, or was it more technical issues?

            ANDY MURRAY:  No, it wasn't technical issues.  That wasn't the problem.  It was, yeah, more mental state, sort of getting yourself in the right frame of mind for the matches and also for the preparation for the tournaments.  You know, getting a real plan of what you're going to work on.

            You know, I felt maybe a little bit like after the Australian Open I thought, Well, I need to change a lot of things in my game, change the way I was training.  That wasn't really the case.  I made some changes to my coaching setup after the bad run in the States, and that's definitely helped.

            I'd been thinking about it for a while, but I think it's natural when you work so hard to try to achieve something.  You don't quite do it, you know, you sort of question the work that you're doing, your game, what should I do to improve.

            But when you actually look back, you're not that far away from doing it.  It's very minor things you need to change.

            Q.  Do you think with the surface here, Roger and Rafa both had tough matches early on, do you think it makes upsets early on more likely?  Do you think you need to be more focused in the early rounds than in other tournaments?

            ANDY MURRAY:  I just think the court's slow now.  So a lot of the guys that weren't playing well on the grass four, five years ago I think are playing better.  There's a lot longer rallies, so it gives the baseline players a lot more chances to cause upsets.

            That's why guys like Falla last year had a good chance against Roger, because he was able to rally from the back.  The court was slow.  You know, especially if the weather stays like this.  When it's cold, you know, it's one of the slowest courts in the year.  That isn't an exaggeration.

            Q.  Along those lines, is that something that helped Nadal here have the success he's had over the last few years?  Were you surprised at all at how quickly and how much success he was able to have?

            ANDY MURRAY:  Well, I'm not really surprised by his success.  He's one of the greatest athletes ever, not just in tennis.  So you find a way to adapt to the surface and the changes.  I mean, maybe didn't take him as long to adapt because the court surface is slower.  Maybe 10, 15 years ago it would have taken him a bit more time to get used to it.

            But every year he tries new things; he's improving things; he's returning closer to the baseline than he used to; he's serving a lot harder than he used to; he's made technical changes to his serve; he's found a way to play great tennis on this surface.

            But it doesn't surprise me because he's a great athlete.

            Q.  Can you give us an indication of how you'll spend tomorrow?  Will you get a practice in?  How will you take your mind off the last hours before you come to work on Monday?

            ANDY MURRAY:  For sure watch some TV on Sunday.  I'll probably watch the end of the golf.  I'll practice for an hour tomorrow, have a chat to the guys before I leave here about, yeah, just the tournament, you know, how we're going to approach it, make sure everyone's mind's in the right place.

            Just go home, chill out, not think about the match until Monday morning.

Wimbledon June 18 2011 Maria Sharapova

An interview with:

           

MARIA SHARAPOVA

            Q.  Can you tell us what you've been doing between Paris and here.

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Just training a lot on grass.  I headed over to London a couple of days after I finished and been here since, yeah, training.

            Q.  How did you feel back on the grass?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Great.  This is one of the best, you know, parts of the year for me.  It's one of the toughest transitions from clay to grass, but for me it's a lot of fun.  The bounce is low; it's quick.

            Yeah, it takes a couple of days to get used to, you know, the bounce and everything.  A little frustrating at times, but, yeah, it's a lot of fun.

            Q.  What is your sense of what Li Na's progress, and including winning the major, means to women's tennis around the world and in China?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Well, I think she's, you know, put a lot of work in throughout her whole career.  She was always a player that you kind of expected that would do well at a certain point in time because she was the type of player that would, you know, upset ‑‑ have a lot of upsets, but maybe not quite get to the finals or win the majors.

            But you had the feeling that she was going to break through.  And I feel like she improved tremendously.  You know, I felt that last year.  She's had a great year this year.  You know, I feel like she's raising her tennis and her level.

            As far as for our tennis, I think it's great.  What she's done for her country, China, all the pride that they have to have a Grand Slam champion from that country is incredible.  I think it brings a lot of attention to the world, you know, that we have a champion from there.

            Q.  Maria, what is your take on the return of the Williams sisters?  Good for the game or what?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Absolutely.  You know, they've been champions here for many years.  You know, they're obviously the ones to beat on grass.  You know, they've been out for a while.  So it's definitely great to have them, yeah.

            Q.  What has the tour missed when they're not playing?  It's not just a matter of them doing well on grass.  They've been gone for a year basically.  What does the tour lack when the Williams sisters aren't on the tour?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Uhm, I think it's the matchups, the real matches that the people look forward to.  They expect to see great tennis.  You know, there's a point in time where I played Serena a few times in a row; it almost created a rivalry.  It's more about the tougher matches, the ones people really look forward to.

            Q.  If they do well here after being away for so long, what sort of statement do you think that makes about the strength of the tour and the strength of their games?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Uhm, I'm not sure.  I mean, it will depend on the results.  I mean, it's not just about playing one tournament.  We have a lot of tournaments during the year.

            Q.  On the men's side it's very hard to look beyond the top four seeds for the men's winner.  How open do you think the women's competition is, given things like Serena, who's obviously very good on grass, being seeded outside.  There's quite a lot of depth.

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Yeah, there's obviously a lot of opportunities for the title.  But I think, uhm, you know, I think we have to treat each match as if it's the final of the tournament, and you can't underestimate your opponent at any point in the time in the draw.  I think it's really important to just focus on your next one.

            I mean, I've never really been one to name favorites.  It's not really been my job.  I think that's more the media's job than anyone else's.

            Q.  Does it feel like a more open tournament, a whole load of people who could win it?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Yeah.  But I think you could say that in many different situations.

            Q.  Do you feel in your best shape coming into here for two, three years?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Yeah, I'm improving my tennis.  I'm playing a lot better.  I played a lot of matches on clay, which I really wanted to do.  I always feel like, uhm, you know, one of the reasons I love the transition is because I feel like you learn so much about the game when you're on the clay courts.  You think a little bit more constructing the points and all those things.  I played a few tough three‑setters.

            Yeah, it's always good, like I said, to get back on the grass.

            Q.  What are your thoughts about the rematch of Isner and Mahut?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  I saw that.  Match made in heaven (laughter).

            I don't know.  I don't think it will go that long.  But it's, yeah, funny how that happens.  I don't think they've even played since.  Yeah, it's amazing.

            Q.  What do you remember most about where you were, what you got to see of it last year?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  I'm sure I was in many different places, practicing, on the couch, taking a nap, eating, had three courses, they were still on.  I think I even slept the whole night, woke up, and they were still on (smiling).

            Q.  What memory do you have of your title here?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Uhm, you know, wonderful memories.  I think the fact that no matter what I achieve or, uhm, how I do here, that when I retire from my career, I know that I was a very small part of Wimbledon's history.

            You know, it's incredible to be part of the tradition and all the champions.  Yeah, hopefully I can repeat that.  That would be a dream of mine.  But only the best memories from here, yeah.

            Q.  Would winning Wimbledon again be better than anything else you could achieve in tennis?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  I've said it since I came back from my injury.  I said that if I could win another Grand Slam, it would mean more than the previous ones that I have, you know, just because before the injury everything was, you know, kind of moving up and everything was on a ‑‑ you just naturally woke up, you went to practice, and then all of a sudden one day it was kind of taken away from you.

            You kind of have to step back and look at things from a different angle.  And then when you get back there, you basically start from zero.  You know, you try to get yourself to a level, uhm, where you can compete with the top players, beating them day in, day out.  Yeah, it's a long process.

            If I do achieve that, if it's here, if it's somewhere else, I think it would be my biggest achievement in my career.

            Q.  The little red dress at the player party, is there an element of competition with the other women when you dress for something like that?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  No, no.  No competition.  I was just really flattered that Alexander McQueen wanted me to be a part of the ‑‑ the British Council actually wanted to get together and a few designers designed dresses for some of the girls.

            I was very fortunate to be part of Alexander McQueen's team.  I am so flattered, because I think Sarah Burton, with the amount of work that she's had to do, I think she's just come out so strong and so great.  The dress was from one of her first collections that she designed, so...

            Q.  What have you learned about yourself and the way you've come back from the injury?  You spoke a little bit about examining priorities and maybe values as a result of that injury.  What do you think you've learned about yourself through all this?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Uhm, you know, that at the end of the day you really just do this for yourself.  It's really about you and the ball and the racquet; you're trying to create something.  You know, you have your coach, you have your parents, you know, you have great people around you.

            But at the end of the day, it's really about your commitment and your drive, whether you want it or not.  You know, you can have as many positive words and it's really helpful and beneficial, but if you wake up and, you know, you don't want it, then you're never going to achieve anything.

            Q.  So what did you learn about the desire that you do have to achieve in tennis as a result of this?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Well, I think I had many opportunities in the time to say that I've, you know, had enough or that I've achieved plenty, more than I ever thought I would, that I have all these accomplishments, but yet I still felt like there was something missing.  I still felt like there was a lot more inside of me when I wanted to play.

            When you realize that that's really what you want, I mean, I did many things, I worked on many projects, I spent holidays with friends and family that maybe I wouldn't get a chance to spend with in a regular tennis season.

            But at the end of the day, those didn't mean anything compared to what it means to win tennis matches.

Wimbledon June 18 2011 Novak Djokovic

An interview with:

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

            Q.  How would you describe the strengths of the top four seeds?  Compare it to the top four at any tournament you've played.

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Well, I guess it's the same, you know, because the top four seeds are the top four players in the world, so there is not much difference in that setting.

            But the importance of this tournament I think can measure with any other.  For me, this is the most important tournament in the world.  I look forward of playing in it.

            Q.  Given the skills and confidence of those four on grass, how would you describe that strength?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  That's a different question (smiling).

            It is a specific surface that we don't really get to play on that much throughout the year.  It's only I guess couple of weeks of the year that we get to play on the surface that this sport began, so it is a bit exciting for all of us to perform on grass courts.

            But, you know, I guess you can always put Federer and Nadal in front of everybody else to win Wimbledon because they have been so successful on the grass courts in past couple of years and they've been winning the Wimbledons, the last five, six Wimbledons.

            It is the fastest surface that we have in the sport, but it is definitely slower than it used to be and the ball bounces higher, which I think is more suitable to my style of the game, to the baseliners, and it's why we see more rallies more often on the grass courts nowadays.

            Q.  You had to pull out of Queen's and you played one match at Stoke Park the other day.  Are you happy with the preparation, or would you have liked to play more competitive tennis on grass?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  I'm happy.  I feel good physically and mentally.  I feel I have the strongest approach to Wimbledon that I ever had because of the confidence that I have and because the last six months of the year it has been the best six months of my career.

            I didn't play in Queen's because I had to take some time and rest.  Even though from the competitive side maybe an extra match would mean a bit more.  But I think it's enough, because I have played a lot of match practices with different players in the last couple of days, and then one exhibition in Stoke Park.

            So I think it will be enough, and I want to think it will be enough, because I don't want to regret something that's behind me now.

            Q.  You haven't always been so happy on the grass.  A few years ago you brought Mark Woodforde in to teach you more about playing on grass.  After last year you say you're more confident.  Just be specific about how happy you are on the grass now.

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Uhm, well, it's really hard to get from the slowest to the fastest surface in just couple of days' time and to really get used to it.  It's very low bounce, but it's a higher bounce than it used to be.

            Yeah, I did have some changes in my team.  I did bring Mark Woodforde in in order to get more to the volley, get more to the net, have some variety in my net.  It didn't work out.

            But I still think that I have to, you know, use my chances and use the groundstrokes that I have and finish off the point on the net.  It is the perfect surface for it.

            Q.  Novak, I'm sorry if you've been asked this question before since I'm a little bit late.

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Where are you from?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  I am from the Monaco newspaper on Avenue Princess Grace.

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Oh, okay.  I'll be glad to answer.

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  You know, you had this losing streak of one, so what are you going to do to change that?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Well, you know what?  I will try to look up to some women players who have been so consistent with their wins, for example like Caroline Wozniacki.  I don't know if you've heard about her.  She's been winning so much.  She's become a role model for all of us ATP players.  So I'm going to try to look some of her matches and try to break this losing streak of one, you know, try to get on the right path (laughter).

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  So who is your favorite women's tennis player?  Is that her, as well?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Well, we'll have to keep that a secret.

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Oh, c'mon.

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  I think I already discovered one of my favorite women's players.  I just said her name.  She's actually my neighbor, as well.

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Really?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  She actually lives in the street where you come from.

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Oh, really?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Yes.  From time to time we have coffee there on the beach and just relax and have lunch, have a jog.

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  I'm sure she must be a really, really nice girl.

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  She is a really, really nice girl.  She's a great entertainer; No. 1.  You never heard about her?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  The No. 1 actually drinks coffee on the beach with someone who actually almost never lose a match?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Yes.  That's a winning ‑‑  excuse me...

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  I cannot even talk anymore.  They're pulling me.

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Yeah, I know.  Monaco press is very popular nowadays.  (Laughter.)

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Monaco press is unbelievable.

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  You see.  This is what I'm talking about.

            Q.  You said it's been the best six months of your career with that lovely run; one blemish.  If you got to the end of the year with only one Grand Slam title, would it be a disappointment to you, having played so well?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Uhm, well, it's hard to make any assumptions what's going to happen.  I don't want to turn back on what happened already.  I really want to be at the present time and really do my best to prepare for every tournament that I play on.

            Obviously, Grand Slams are the most important events in our sport, are the most important to me as well, and I want to set my shape and my form, you know, as high as possible to perform my best tennis on Grand Slams.

            But, you know, again, it's a two‑week long event; it's best‑of‑five.  I think every player in the world has motivation more to play better and to perform better on the Grand Slams because the whole world is watching.

            Q.  The fact is that Federer and Nadal have won this for six, seven years.  Andy Murray carries the whole expectations of this island.  Is it easier for you here to be, if you like, almost the fourth partner in the expected shake‑up?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Well, I don't know.  It's on you really to form the groups of three or four players, three players.  I really try not to put too much attention on that because I know that, you know, being where I am at the moment, being one of the top players, I know the expectations will always be there.  There will always be some pressure.

            Obviously for Murray more than me here in UK because he's coming from this country and it's definitely not easy for him with you guys.

            But, look, you know, over the years playing on the top level, you learn how to handle it, how to have the right mental approach, to try to avoid thinking about things that are going on outside of the tennis court through the tournament and just try to do your job, you know.

            That's why Grand Slams take more than any other tournament, because there is one day between of each match, there is press, there is all these kind of things.  It's just the whole buzz about Grand Slam is just different than any other.

            Q.  Any thoughts about Isner and Mahut being rematched?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Yes, everybody has been talking about that rematch.  It's really hard to believe, you know, that it can happen another time that they go that far.

            But who knows.  You know, it's really incredible that they are drawn to play first round again.  It's just remarkable.  I will definitely, if I have a chance, watch that match.

            Q.  What do you remember most from last year?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  I think everybody remembers something because it was going on for three days, so everybody remembers at least a small part of that match (laughter).

            Yeah, I remember watching with everybody in the locker room.  We were just admiring both players for what they do, admiring the consistency on their service games, especially as many aces, just the focus and determination.  Unbelievable.  I mean, I think it's never going to happen again.

            Q.  We're having some glorious English weather.  We're forecasted to get a bit more of it.  You played that last match under the roof last year.  It does appear for the first couple days we might have a lot of play under the roof.  How do you think that's going to affect the court, the way it plays?  Did you find a difference in the way the court played last year?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Yes, I found it different.  I think when the roof closes it's a bit slower and a bit more slippery, and obviously because of the humidity, you know, inside of the stadium.

            So the conditions will be a bit different.  But, as you said, I played there last year; I won couple sets.  So, you know, approximately I know what it feels like to be under the roof.

            Q.  Novak, when you look at your year, the first six months, how big a factor in it has been being more careful with your schedule?  You didn't play Monte‑Carlo; you haven't played Queen's; you played Hopman Cup before Australia.  Has that been important, being selective where you play?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Well, yes.  You know, at that time I was planning to play Queen's and planning to play Monte‑Carlo, but obviously with the tight schedule that I had and with the number of matches that I played, I have decided to skip those tournaments.

            It came out as a good decision, you know, because especially with Monte‑Carlo, coming off of Miami, a really exhausting States season on hard courts, and then I had a fantastic clay court season.

            So hopefully skipping Queen's can be a good decision as well.

            Q.  Because you hadn't lost for so long, how long did it take you to get over the defeat in Paris?  One night's sleep or didn't bother you at all?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  No, well, it was obviously a big match, a lot to play for.  I had across the net just a player who played better that day.

            Because of that, it didn't take me much time to recover from the loss because, you know, I know that I've played well.  I didn't play on the level that I could, but I played well.  He just played better.

            So it was great to be part of a fantastic match.  You know, it was unfortunate that the loss had to come at that time, you know, but, look, you know, that's sport.  I have been losing before.  I know how it feels like.  Just continue on.

            Q.  How do you think Nadal's success against Federer in their head‑to‑heads should be judged in that whole debate over whether Federer is the greatest player ever?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Well, it's really a long subject I think that requires a lot of discussions, you know, who's better.  I mean, obviously results‑wise it's Federer; he has won the most Grand Slams.  He's still up there.

            But Nadal has been incredible the last couple of years.  I mean, he has won Olympics, he has won Davis Cup, he has won everything that a tennis player can imagine to win.

            So, you know, from that side, you know, I think Nadal has maybe more years to play on the top of the men's tennis.  But you never know what's going to happen.

            I guess every time you expect the match between Federer and Nadal, it's always the biggest match that exists in tennis.  I think they have a biggest rivalry from active players.  Maybe the biggest rivalry ever.  So it's just great to be part of the era with those two guys.