As the tournament enters its final days, the press conferences typically get more and more serious but you can always count on Novak Djokovic to send the interview room into a fit of laughter.
The world No 1 was doing his post-match press conference while Roger Federer and Andy Murray were playing the other semi-final and they were stuck in an epic 15-minute game at the end of the second set as Djokovic was fielding questions from the press.
Since we didn’t know who his final opponent would be at the time, I had to ask him about each one separately and after giving a lengthy tribute to both Federer and Murray, he added laughing: “So if you asked me who I would like to play, I cannot tell you. I have no preference whatsoever. I would like them to play a little bit tomorrow, the fifth, and then let’s see who comes out on Sunday.”
Sadly for Djokovic, Federer finished off Murray in just over two hours.
A somber Murray showed up to press a short while later and while his disappointment to lose was written all over his face, there was a brief moment where he cracked a smile when he was asked by French journalist Carole Bouchard if his defeat to Federer would have any bearing on his preparation for Davis Cup next weekend against France at Queen’s Club.
“You’re French, so you’re hoping that’s the case,” Murray said with a smirk. Nice to see the Scot able to find humour even in defeat.
Meanwhile, Federer was asked a hilarious question during his post-match conference.
– Novak Djokovic into final in straight sets
– Serena Williams powers into Wimbledon final
– Garbine Muguruza reaches Wimbledon final
“You’ve been widely acclaimed as one of the great players. This morning Rod Laver said you would win. A lot of people are almost in love with you, things like that. Do you have like Jose Mourinho, that you’re the special one?” said the reporter.
Federer’s response: “I’m sure there’s going to be many great players in the future. The game is bigger than any athletes we’ve ever had. It really is. I don’t know Jose very well. To be quite honest, I’ve only met him once.
“No, definitely I feel very much liked by many people around the world. It’s been amazing to have that support. It helps when you’ve been around the block for a long time. People sort of get to know you.
“Like I said, the tennis is bigger than anybody. We’ll have future Wimbledon champions, future world No1’s. It’s going to be even greater in 50 years’ time, 100 years’ time. It’s a great game to play, I tell you.”
Earlier in the day, Garbine Muguruza came to fulfil her pre-final press duties. The Spaniard kept insisting she wasn’t superstitious even though she is forbidding her parents – who have been in Barcelona following her progress from afar – from coming to London to watch her play Serena Williams in today’s final.
“My parents, they’re going to be in Barcelona watching me from the TV. I don’t want to change anything, but I’m not superstitious,” said Muguruza.
Someone should really explain to her what superstitious means.
