Djokovic and Stosur Looking to Repeat in Flushing Meadows
Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Samantha Stosur of Australian are the defending U.S.Open Champions. At their pre-tournament press conferences, both discussed their attempts to defend their respective titles and their thoughts entering the 2012 U.S. Open Championships. Stosur begins her title defense against Petra Martic of Croatia Monday morning at Arthur Ashe Stadium, while Djokovic will face Paolo Lorenzi of Italy in his first round match either Tuesday or Wednesday.
The sports press is saying that you got the perfect draw in the U.S. Open; that you don’t have to face potentially Roger Federer or Andy Murray until the final. Do you think you got the perfect draw?
Djokovic: I don’t think there is a perfect draw, to be honest with you. The draw is something that you cannot affect. It’s a question of luck, obviously. You know, there are 128 players here who have plenty of motivation to perform their best in the Grand Slam, the last major of the year, so I’m sure that they want to cause some upsets in the opening round. I’m truly taking one step at a time. You know, I had good and bad draws in the past, but as I said, it’s something I cannot affect, so I’m not calculating or predicting anything. I’m just trying to focus on my game, which is the most important thing.
How would you describe your mindset right now and the level of your game? Do you feel the season has been emotionally draining?
Djokovic: It’s been a long season and a long summer, but my year has been really good. You know, it’s hard to compare obviously with 2011, even though I have got that question asked many times this year. You know, what has changed from 2011. But I actually try to always look from a positive side. I do feel physically stronger and very prepared than I did last year. Mentally, I had some ups and downs throughout the season, but I think that was maybe expected in a way. It’s normal to have ups and downs. I mean, it’s really hard to expect that I can go, you know, five, six months every year without losing a match, so, I mean on this level.
But as I said, I feel good. You know, I had exhausting four and a half weeks and also successful. I was very glad that I had a very successful Toronto and Cincinnati tournament. Coming into US Open, it was very important for me to get into some hard court matches. Hard court is my most preferred surface, so I really look forward to the start of this major.
As defending champion, normally you’d be talked of as a repeat champion or one of the favorites, but everyone talks about Serena. Do you prefer it when you’re under the radar as opposed to being talked up?
Stosur: Yeah, I mean, it is what it is. It’s fine whether you’re talked of being the favorite or not. At this point of time during the tournament I think it doesn’t really matter. Everyone is starting from scratch at the moment, and obviously things become clearer as the weeks go on. I think Serena is probably the favorite coming in given her recent form. No matter who you are, I don’t think you can really deny that.
Have you had a chance to practice on Ashe yet?
Stosur: Yeah. I came here, my first practice was Thursday and got out there straight up. Yeah, that was really nice to walk back out onto that court, and little things kind of pop into your mind as you’re walking out there again. It was great to get out there. Probably the forehand winner I hit on match point. That was the one thing that came back probably first.
