Eastbourne Tennis: Novak Djokovic's full press conference transcript after his semi final victory

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes. Well, he’s one of the NextGen group of players that, you know, plays very well and has a promising future. His game is quite fitting for this surface. Has very flat, very quick shots off the ground. Especially, you know, he’s very confident from the backhand corner. Moves well for his size and height, and obviously the serve is a big weapon. If he serves consistently well and accurate, he can pose a big challenge to any player on this surface.

Yeah, it was a close first set. He had a couple of break points and 4-3 could have gone different way in the first set and maybe changed, you know, the dynamic of the match, but I think winning that first set and playing well at the end of the first set has kind of put me in the position where, you know, I’m taking the momentum away from him.

So I started off very well in the second. Break of serve that I held all the way through. I did struggle a little bit with my serve today and wasn’t as accurate as it was in the first two matches, but also, that’s due to his quality of return.

Just all in all, it was a really tough match. Straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, but, you know, it took a lot of work and energy to break the resistance.

Q. You seemed to be really enjoying yourself this week. By your sky-high standards, it’s not been the easiest last 12 months. Is this the most fun you have had in the last year on the court?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I am enjoying undoubtedly this week and, you know, the fact that I’m in the finals obviously makes it even better. But I felt very welcomed from the first day by the people in Eastbourne.