Novak's 50 - In the open era in men's competition, no one but him managed to do that

The first question related to the role of sports intelligence - to what extent it helps him win such matches.

"There is, for sure, that influence. That experience of how to position yourself in that situation, which is not ideal and not desirable. In the second set, when I returned from MTO, I looked to just stay in the match. To hold my serve and somehow try to play. At crucial moments, I forced him to make a mistake or to play a shot better than him. Which is what happened in that 10th game of the second set, I broke him with zero and won the second set," began Djokovic, then talked about the drugs that he had to take to stop the pain.

"During that period, medications and various painkillers began to work, and by the middle of the third set, I was moving much better, I had more self-confidence and freedom in my movements and less pain. The pain was much less present then, although it was present during the whole match. Everything was there".

He only had words of praise for his opponent.

"I think he played the same, at a very high level and I had to fight in the 4th set in every way to keep that break advantage. Honestly, maybe he was a little lucky in that incredible rally at 4:2 for a double break, he hit the line a couple of times from some defense, and then with the older balls against the wind a horror game for me to hold the serve. It doesn't surprise me that we played a match like this, with him there is always some drama, some struggle, some uncertainty, this time, it was the same... I'm very proud of myself and the fact that I managed to beat one of the best in the world and the way I did it means a lot to me mentally and emotionally. Mentally and emotionally it won't be a problem for me at all, but we'll see physically, to fix what I have. I'm worried, but I have an extra day without a match, so I'll make the most of every hour of the day and night to get ready for that match," Novak was clear.

He also talked about the recovery process after the injury he suffered, as well as the challenges that the match in the night slot brings with it.

"It's a big adrenaline rush. It's not easy to fall asleep after such matches. Every night match I played, I went to sleep at 2, 3 in the morning, now probably later, because there are several hours of recovery work with Miljan. It's necessary right now, while hot, to assess the situation and to do as much as possible in the shortest possible period. 2021 starting with the third round, and the whole tournament in 2023. We will try to get myself in a physical condition to be able to play," he added.

Many doubted whether Novak could play with Sinner and Alcaraz, and the Serbian tennis player was brutally honest in answering those claims.

"Many people have doubts - they have doubted my whole life, my whole career, it follows me. People constantly try to underestimate me and the things I have done. It is simply part of the career and life of a professional athlete who is very successful. It is additionally because of me and my situation, where I come from and a million other things and reasons. But it's not something that discourages me, on the contrary, it motivates me to prove to people that I can still win on the biggest stage, the biggest tournaments in the world. I proved that today, this is not the end of the tournament. I hope for the best, it will probably be even more difficult against Zverev. Well, on the contrary - that is more of a motive. I'm kind of looking forward to all the challenges. Because of these kinds of matches and circumstances and opportunities, I'm still playing tennis professionally, so... I've put myself in the position of being in the last four at my most successful Grand Slam, so - we'll see," he concluded in a conversation with Serbian media in Melbourne.

Let's remind you, for the final, Djokovic will cross the racket with Saša Zverev, who reached the semi-finals by defeating Tommy Paul 7:6 (1), 7:6 (0), 2:6, 6:1.