October 28, 2024

Open Court

MORE TENNIS THAN YOU'LL EVER NEED

The ATP Mixed Zone, starring Novak Djokovic

INDIAN WELLS – After some discussion, the ATP decided (or, more likely, Novak Djokovic preferred) that for his post-match duties, he would head down to the mixed zone area located outside the players’ lounge rather than come upstairs for a full press conference in the main room.

The rights holders probably don’t like this format much, because they can’t get a lot of quality video of a player talking in conditions that can range from “barely adequate” to “right next to a major air-conditioning unit”.

It can also get a bit chaotic with a lot less moderation by the ATP people. This time, though, it was all quite civilized as Djokovic talked about beating del Potro and preparing to back that up with a tough match Wednesday against Nick Kyrgios.

Here’s a glimpse of what it looked like.

Djokovic’s preference for the mixed zone seemed clear enough after it was over.

All he had to do was walk a few hundred feet to the parking lot, hop into the back seat of an SUV backed right up close, motor running, and voilà! Off he went into the Indian Wells night.

It was efficient a move as his third-set masterpiece against del Potro.

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