Every word from Novak Djokovic’s press conference after Lorenzo Musetti thriller at French Open

Novak Djokovic answered three questions after surviving a big scare to defeat Lorenzo Musetti in a late-night thriller at the 2024 French Open.

The 37-year-old Serbian prevailed 7-5, 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 after hour hours and 29 minutes in a gruelling third round contest against the world No 30.

The defending champion sealed a comeback victory on Court Philippe-Chatrier at 3:07am on Sunday in the latest-ever finish to a match at the Paris Grand Slam.

Djokovic’s quest for a fourth Roland Garros title and 25th Grand Slam crown will continue on Monday — when he will meet Francisco Cerundolo in the last 16.

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Here is everything the world No 1 said to reporters after downing Musetti in a historic match at the French Open.

Q. After three sets, it looked like you were in real trouble there. How did you turn that one around?

Djokovic: Well, I was in real trouble. Credit to Lorenzo for making me uncomfortable on court and playing some really amazing tennis, really high level.

At one point, I didn’t know what to do. From both ends, he was getting a lot of balls back, winners from both corners, good servers, running every ball down the court. It didn’t feel great playing him in that third set and the beginning of the fourth.

I really mean what I said on the court that the crowd definitely got me going. I really needed that push, I needed that energy at two-all in the fourth.

They started chanting my name, and I just felt a great new wave of willpower and energy. I think I was a different player from that moment onwards. I think from that moment onwards I only lost one game.

The fifth set was just amazing. I was on a high, riding that wave and really not letting go of that stranglehold that I created on Lorenzo at the end of the fourth. I just kept going, kept on plugging away and an amazing winner to finish the match.

I want to thank all of you and of course the crowd and everybody that stayed until 3:30am. I heard it was the latest finish of Roland-Garros in history, so I’m glad to be part of the history with Lorenzo.

I told him at the net that he played amazing and it was a great battle. I know it’s a tough one to swallow, but he can be proud of his performance.

Q. Were you struggling to breath at times — you were doubled over? And what about the recovery for the next match?

Djokovic: I mean, yeah. When you’re playing a 20+ rally at 2am… Who plays at 2am? You play a few matches in your life at this time. Especially if someone like Lorenzo is playing on the opposite side of the net, the tennis of his life and not missing much and making you play every point.

It was so muggy and so heavy conditions, very cold, the balls were not going anywhere. You weren’t getting too many free points off the serve, so you had to work every single point of the night tonight, and that’s why I really physically pushed myself to the limit tonight.

Q. How did you feel about the match before you being put on?

Djokovic: I knew you guys were going to ask me that. Look, I don’t want to get into it. I have my opinions, but I think there are great things to talk about instead.

Both Lorenzo’s and my performances stood out, I don’t want to be talking about scheduling I think somethings could have been handled a different way.

But there’s beauty as well, I guess, winning a match at 3:30am… If it’s the last one of the tournament. But it’s not, so I’m going to have to switch on all of my young genes and try to recover as soon as possible.

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