“Novak held a flash interview after the Australian Open 1/4 final match against Musetti”, — write: sport.ua
– Well, Novak, congratulations. But for such a player, it is difficult to see what happened to Lorenzo. This is a very difficult way to leave the court.
– Yes. Certainly. To be honest, I… I don’t know what to say other than I feel really sorry for him. He played much better today. I was already going to go home tonight.
I don’t know what to say. These things happen in sports, and it’s happened to me a few times, but, you know, to be in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament, to be 2-0 in sets and completely in control of the match… It’s very unfortunate. I really don’t know what else to say. I sincerely wish him a speedy recovery. He should have won today, no doubt.
– Novak, in this match you started very aggressively: you often went to the net, served and went to the reception since the summer. At the same time, we noticed that you were receiving medical attention for a blister on your right leg. Was that part of the plan to cut plays, or did you just see his defensive position and decide to take advantage of it?
– Yes, the strategy worked very well in the first few games. And then everything changed completely. In the first two games I had four winners and no unforced errors, and for the rest of the match I had another four winners and probably about forty errors. But that’s what Lorenzo does. He makes you play when you think the game is over, but it’s not. Today was also a bit more windy, gusty conditions. And when you attack it, you don’t know what to expect: whether it’s a diagonal backhand, a short slice, a flat shot straight into the body, or just a high candle.
Often – under my weakest shot, overhead. I think we saw that again today. And… what can I say? I tried my best. I have nothing to complain about. Yes, a blister here and there, but nothing major that would really get in the way. It’s just that in the first couple of sets I didn’t feel the ball, but it’s also related to his quality of play and variety. And yes, I am incredibly lucky to be able to move on today.
– You say that you did not feel the ball. You missed the previous round, and we thought it might help you. But don’t you think that the lack of game rhythm – a day without a match, a day without a match – affected your feel for the ball a little bit today?
– To be honest, at this stage of my career, I don’t know what helps me and what doesn’t. I’m in the semi-finals. I had a WO. in the fourth round, today I should have lost, trailing 0:2 in sets – and in the end I will win. So today I will definitely double my prayers and gratitude to God for giving me this opportunity again. And I will do my best in a couple of days to use it.
