Djokovic after quick start in London: "I am trying to play as perfect as possible”

Novak Djokovic opened 2019 Nitto ATP Finals in London in style by winning against Matteo Berrettini 6-2 and 6-1 in just an hour and 4 minutes.

It was almost flawless performance from Djokovic, losing only 3 games in his first match this year in London. After the match he commented on his performance:

“No other reasonable explanation than trying to play as perfect as possible,” Djokovic said. “Everyone is different. Throughout my career, I always intended and always tried to perfect my game and, in the midst of a battle and heat of the moment, sometimes you just get frustrated with certain things regardless of the results.

“Sometimes I really don't mind the results as much as I care about the execution of certain shots or tactics or whatever it is. That's all it is.”

It is first ATP Finals for Berrettini and Djokovic recalls on his first ATP Finals in 2007. Back then he did not win a set in a group with Ferrer, Nadal and Gasquet.

“I lost all three matches in the group,” Djokovic said. “I was tense. I was happy that I was there, of course. I was very proud to be part of this elite eight guys, but it's an environment which is kind of new to you. Even though it's a tennis court, a tennis match, it's still different, knowing that you're there for the first time and that you're going to play against a Top 10 player every match in the group.

“It's a lot of pressure mentally, that you have to deliver your best, where for us guys that have been playing on the top level for many years, we have the experience. We know how to handle these kind of situations emotionally, mentally.”

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