He needed this victory so badly. There is somebody upstairs who sees what everyone, the media is doing to him.
They questioned even the injury. Doctors gave him a choice... Somebody can take more, somebody less pain. Key match for me was the one against Raonic.
If Novak says something, it's not good. If he doesn't say antyhing, not good again. Not easy to deal with everything, but he has shown to the world how big he is. I know what kind of pain he went through and he wins the tournament. Amazing.
Novak wasn't afraid of Daniil's backhand, not afraid to come in. He served amazingly throughout the whole tournament. It's a long time since I've seen Daniil not knowing what to do, Novak was there for everything.
He came here with a lot of pressure and expectations, finals is not good enough for him. He wants to break the records. He executed today perfectly, number 18 and the chase begins, this gives him a lot of confidence after US Open and poorly played F at RG.
He is going to take another MRI, see what it shows. Then as a team we're gonna decide what the next tournament will be. You can't just play Slams, he has to play something before. Frankly, now I don't care, he just won the tournament.
Rafa is going to win one RG surely, maybe two. Novak is getting older, so he needed this one in terms of the chase. Especially after US Open, it wasn't easy to deal with the disappointment. So he was very motivated to do well here.
Ivanisevic on after the 3R: Knowing him, I knew he has the mind to overcome the pain, but when I heard what was in question, it wasn't easy. I've never met someone as tough mentally as him.
When you're a young player, 99,9% of kids want to win a major. I try to remind myself how important this is even though I've been fortunate to win many. I do enjoy the success every single time even more cause the longer the time passed, the harder it's going to get.
I don't feel like I am old and tired, but I know things are different compared to ten years ago. I have to be smart with the schedule, historic no 1 gives me the relief and I will focus more on Slams now.
I will adjust my calendar, as a father and a husband I look forward to it since it seems it's going to be impossible to bring them with me on the road. I haven't made any tournament commitments past #AusOpen.
Novak on injury: It is a muscle tear, oblique abdominal muscle. I felt it right away, I felt the snap. I know there have been many speculations, people saying that it's impossible, but everyone has the right to criticize others. I felt it was a bit unfair at times...
Djokovic confirming that the documentary should come out near the end of 2021.
Novak: Roger, Rafa and myself have managed to play our best at Slams. That made it more difficult for the next generations. How long it's going to take for Tsitsipas, Medvedev and Zverev, I don't know, but they're awfully close.
It took me a lot of mental energy to focus solely on what I need to in order to be able to compete. We tried not to talk about what someone says in the media. It does come to me, it's tough to avoid, but it's unnecessary for me.
It seems unfair from some people to judge without checking first. But I have experienced it in the past, it probably isn't the last time. I didn't allow it to hinder my performance, winning the title is my answer.
I am human, I can't say "I don't care", I do, but I have developed thick skin over the years and I am able to refocus on what matters to me the most.
I agree with Goran, I needed this. Disqualification got to me emotionally and mentally, I was on a run. Since then it's been up and down, without the crowd felt strange, maybe I lacked motivation a bit. So I wanted to start 2021 in the best possible way.
When I am away from home, I try to make that absence valuable. Of course I miss them, at times it rips my heart apart not being close to my family. But I can't complain, I was very happy in my life.
It didn't look realistic that I could play. Two hours before the 4R match I stepped on the court and it looked OK. The pain was bearable and I accepted the fact that I would have to play with the pain.
Roger and Rafa inspire me, I have said that before. As long as they go, I will go. It's a race of who plays more and who wins more. We do drive each other and push each other to the limit.
