Novak Djokovic says there's plenty of mutual respect between him and childhood friend Andy Murray as they prepare to contest the second Australian Open semi-final.
"We've been friends for a long time, always had lots of respect for him. I think it's mutual. I think our teams are getting along really well. We practice whenever we can," Djokovic told the press. "I mean, our friendship and rivalry, you can call it, goes long time back. You know, goes to when we were 12 in France, first tournament. We played a lot of junior events together."
"So here we are again playing semi-finals of a Grand Slam. That's not a big change. But I'm saying I guess the effect of [Ivan] Lendl being a part of his team can be felt probably in some time to come."
The return of eight-time Grand Slam champion Lendl to the men's game sent shockwaves through the tennis world at the start of 2012 and to outsiders, Murray has seemed more focused than ever throughout this event. However Djokovic thinks that little has changed so far.
"I don't notice any significant difference," he said. "Obviously, he's (Andy's) always been very successful in Australia at the start of the year. He has always been very fit and very committed. He's always been one of the best players in the world. He's been proving that year over and year over and again."
"He's been playing well. He's definitely, you know, I think very motivated to win his first Grand Slam. He's been playing last two years finals here. He's been proving to himself and to the rest of the people that the Australian Open is probably his best Grand Slam."
"But on the other hand I have been playing quite well here in last couple years. You know, we have to expect a great match. You know, a tournament cannot ask for better matchups in semifinals. I hope that I can step out on the court trying to repeat the same thing I did last year."
