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Post: Kuznetsova – about the change of citizenship, the exit of Kasatkina and Medvedev

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This year, due to the sanctions, the traditional men’s tennis tournament St. Petersburg Open. Its organizers, headed by Alexander Medvedev, found a replacement and organized a team tournament “Cups of Northern Palmyra” in the image and likeness of the Hopman Cup. As per the regulations, mixed pairs were played after the one-on-one matches with the participation of tennis players and tennis players. Russian and Serbian tennis stars captained the tournament, in which six teams of ATP and WTA players participated. After the end of the tournament, the captain of the winning team, Svetlana Kuznetsova, told RIA Novosti Sport about her new experience, the results of the tennis season and her plans to return to the field.

– How do you feel as a captain?

– This experience is new to me, but very interesting. At first he was somewhat restrained and did not understand his role. I didn’t know if my advice and suggestions would be helpful. But after the first joint training with Yulia Putintseva and Evgeny Donskoy it turned out that we have a great team. We were not considered favorites after the draw, but well-coordinated work helped us win the tournament.

– Do you plan to continue your career as a captain?

– Too early! I am an active tennis player. The pause he received in his career is associated with his desire to recover from injuries. As a professional athlete I don’t complain of health problems (this is normal for us), but recently I had to undergo a few surgeries. I have not yet reached the required amount of training, without which I cannot return to the competitive level. The older you get, the longer the healing process takes.

– Have you set any deadlines to return to a professional tour?

– I constantly consult doctors and pass tests. I will not take risks until I am in proper physical form. I don’t want to be average. If we go back then it’s in the top 10 or at least in the top 20.

– What is the motivation for the return of the world’s second-old racket and the two-time winner of the Grand Slam tournaments?

– My motivation has always been the desire to win. I love tennis and this game is all I have. I want to go back to the beginning. Only time will tell if it will be successful. Remember how many times they’ve seen Roger Federer’s retirement and come back to the top!

Olympics 2016. Tennis.  Fifth day - RIA Novosti, 1920, 09.12.2022
Olympics 2016. Tennis. Fifth day

– You played in three favorite Olympics. Why did you fail to show the expected performance in Athens, Beijing or London?

– Romance may not work in any tournament, and the Olympic tournament is no exception. Tennis has its own peculiarities associated with the four Grand Slam tournaments held each year. Players focus their attention on them, and it’s hard to get the best out of the Olympics. To do this, all the stars must come together, from good form to a successful draw and just good luck. I did not accept

– How do you assess the current situation in tennis, while Russians and Belarusians are deprived of the opportunity to play under their own flag and openly forced to change their citizenship?

– Everyone already knows that Russian tennis players occupy a leading position in the world. I would love to keep sports out of politics, but as we’ve seen, that’s impossible. Tennis players are in a better position to play in ATP and WTA tournaments than in many other sports. It is a pity that we lost team competitions, but in tennis these are not the main competitions. Russian and Belarusian tennis players also survived the Wimbledon defeat. We hope that the current situation will be resolved. Changing citizenship is a very personal matter and everyone must decide for himself. It never stopped for me. I have always been and will remain a Russian tennis player.

– How do you evaluate the results of this season for men, above all the high positions of Daniil Medvedev and Andrei Rublev?

Men deserve them. Still, Daniil could have finished the season in a higher position had he not really missed the entire clay season by deciding on an operation. It missed a lot of rating points. Rublev pleasantly surprised me in the final tournament.

Russian tennis players Daniil Medvedev (left) and Andrei Rublev
Russian tennis players Daniil Medvedev (left) and Andrei Rublev

– In Russia, by a strange coincidence, the periods of rise in men’s and women’s tennis alternated …

– I look forward to being at the top of the rating of Russian tennis players. When a strong girl emerges, she encourages others to grow. After Anastasia Myskina won Roland Garros, Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon and I won the US Open, others followed. Similarly, Rublev and Karen Khachanov are now trying to reach Medvedev. Men and women don’t walk in tennis at the same time. I can’t explain it, and I don’t think anyone will.

– Who were you after?

– In addition to the winners of the Grand Slam tournaments, I will also name Dinara Safina. Only the word “searched” is incorrect. We boosted each other’s morale by winning prestigious tournaments. I was after Serena Williams too.

– After the current US Open, Serena announced her retirement. Did it make it on time?

Apparently, he had reasons for such a decision. Every tennis player decides this question for himself. Also, Serena constantly hints at a possible comeback, throwing fishing rods so no one gets loose. You can go and return many times, as the experience of Russian pop stars shows.

– Why is Iga Sventek the undisputed leader of the WTA rating by a large margin from its competitors?

– There is no longer such a bright rivalry for leadership in the days when the Williams brothers went up against Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin. At Sventek, professionalism is reinforced by a youthful desire for victory. Plus, he’s an adult beyond his age on the field.

– Two tennis players in the top 10 a success of Russian tennis?

– These are the achievements of Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova. If one of them was the world’s first racket, then one could speak of the pride of Russian tennis. After all, none of our girls have been on top for long. I can only wish good luck to both Daria and Veronica.

– Did Kasatkina’s going out help her unwind, or did constantly asking questions about such a sensitive topic put more pressure on her?

– Only Daria herself can answer this question.

Daria Kasatkina - RIA Novosti, 1920, 09.12.2022
Daria Kasatkina

– Many see this statement as a populist act to arouse sympathy in a tolerant Western society. At one time, Martina Navratilova, with whom you often played a couple, went public, proving her right to live as she wanted. Don’t you think Kasatkina has completely different goals?

– A very difficult question. Everyone has the right to decide how to live and which part of their life should be discussed in public. I can’t judge Kasatkina’s decision, let alone argue. This is not necessary.

– Next to the arena where the Northern Palmyra Trophies tournament is held, is your father’s cycling centre, whose construction you invested most of your tennis prize money in. Do you follow how this sports facility is run?

– I am proud of my father who did a lot for the national cycling. He not only gives him all his strength and all his soul, but also invests in him from our family budget. If there were more such people in Russia, sports would be at a different level in our country. According to my father, I follow the life of the bike center. When I come to St. Petersburg, I try to spend as much time as possible with my family.

– Your father is one of the most famous domestic cycling coaches, your mother is a multiple world champion in this sport. Did your parents explain why they gave you tennis and not a bike ride?

– I recently learned about this family secret, but until now I will not reveal it to everyone. You will soon learn.

Source: Ria

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