Breaking News

Kontaveit beats Vondrousova at VTB Kremlin Cup-2021 to avenge her Winbledon loss

October 23, 01:30 PM

Middelkoop and Heliovaara become second finalists of VTB Kremlin Cup-2021 doubles event

October 23, 01:15 PM

Photo gallery of the fifth game day, October 22

October 22, 11:45 PM

Karatsev garanteed an All-Russian semifinals at the VTB Kremlin Cup-2021

October 22, 11:15 PM

Khachanov outserved Millman with 19 aced to reach SF at VTB Kremlin Cup

October 22, 09:15 PM

Aslan Karatsev: «My goal is to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals in Turin»

October 24, 08:30 PM

Karatsev outpayed Cilic to win VTB Kremlin Cup singles title

October 24, 07:00 PM

Harri Heliovaara: «We play tennis just to have the kind of rallies we’ve had in the "VTB Kremlin Cup" finals»

October 24, 06:45 PM

Anett Kontaveit: «Ekaterina played great, it seemed I had no chance»

October 24, 05:15 PM

Ekaterina Alexandrova: «The loss to Kontaveit is very painful, but I won’t make it a drama»

October 24, 04:00 PM

Kontaveit came back from a set and two breaks down to beat Alexandrova in the VTB Kremlin Cup final

October 24, 02:30 PM

Aslan Karatsev: «I know what to expect from Cilic, I am ready for the final»

October 23, 10:00 PM

Karen Khachanov: «I made errors in the tie-break, it played a key role in the match against Karatsev»

October 23, 09:30 PM

Marin Cilic: «To reach another VTB Kremlin Cup final is a special moment for me»

October 23, 08:30 PM

Jelena Ostapenko: «I'm enjoying my freedom in Moscow!»

October 23, 07:00 PM

Ostapenko/Siniakova clinched doubles title at VTB Kremlin Cup-2021

October 23, 04:45 PM

Anett Kontaveit: «It’s going to be a tough battle with Alexandrova in the final»

October 23, 04:45 PM

Supported by

Ministry of sport of the Russian Federation

Department<br>for sport<br>of Moscow city

Vera Zvonareva: «I'm still enjoying tennis»

October 17, 04:00 PM

During her post-match press-conference the Russian Vera Zvonareva, who sailed into ¼ of the main draw «VTB Kremlin Cup 2018», shared her plans for the future in professional tennis, talked about her new coach and the prospects of the Russian National Team in Fed Cup.

Congratulations on winning R2, taking into account the final score, the match was not that hard, but how was it for you personally – from your your perspective.

A match against any top-10 tennis player can't be easy. I was preparing myself for a tough match. I knew, that if I played well tonight, I would win. I seized the smallest chance I was getting during the match, even though [Karolina] Pliskova wasn’t giving me many. In the right moments I did everything I could perfectly and it led to such final score.

In 2018 you are in the quarterfinals of “VTB Kremlin Cup”. What does it mean to you?

It is the biggest quarterfinals since I came back to professional tennis in 2017. It is great that I managed to go through qualifications at home and outplay great players, and fought to win today. I'm still enjoying my practicing sessions and tennis – it is the most important thing for me. Because as soon as I stop getting any positive emotions from it I will probably think about quitting.

The first few match points didn’t work for you, what happened? Was it mental tiredness or some crazy random shots she pulled off?

No, I think that it was a little bit unlucky that I could not put in my first serve. She immediately seized the initiative in the rally. Somewhere I played softly, because I decided to play conservatively. It was a wrong decision, I needed to play more aggressively, like I did before. Then maybe I could have converted the match-point earlier.

How do you like the new surface?

The surface is different from what it used to be. Previously, it was slower with a higher bounce. Now it is a little bit different. But in all tournaments the surface is different, the balls are different, you need to deal with it. In general, I like the conditions here.

You played on the second court yesterday. Linesmen made some bad calls sometimes. How do you feel on center court when you have an opportunity to use the Hawk-Eye system?

To play on the center court is always a pleasure. Those challenges we have play a very important role. It is not important only for players, sometimes for linesmen too. It disciplines them. Sometimes they can lay back and miss something, but the Hawk-Eye disciplines everyone. Today I took advantage of this, because I was sure that ball was out. It's great that you can use it.

What are your big ambitions in tennis at the moment?

I do not look too far. First of all, I try to get in shape. I believe that I am far from ideal form. When I started playing tennis last year, I trained 2-3 times a week, played for myself, did not think that I could still continue to compete on a professional level. But it so happened that relationship with tennis lasted a bit longer (laughter). When I started playing, I immediately realized that I could still show a high-level game. I understood that if I want to play the next season, I will have to do more fitness and train more, too. Last year, when I first started playing, there were a lot of injuries. I took a break, paid attention to this. If I want to play at a professional level next year, I need to pay attention to my physical training for two months, not to get so many injuries. As soon as you start playing, all old injuries start to take their toll on you. I am no longer 18 years old (laughter).

What do you mean “if I’d like to play the next season”? Do you really want to play? And who is this French speaking coach orking with you: does he help you with tennis or with fitness?

We will see, I will play a couple of more tournaments this year. Then I will taske my decision. I am a mother and my family is under my responsibility. So we have to make this decision all together whether I play or not during the next season. My coach [Arno Decugis] is from France, he is my tennis coach. We started to work together at the US Open. I understood if I’d like to improve I had to find a good coach. In the past he was working with Julie Halard-Decugis for a long time, she was number 1 in doubles. He is her husband.

Athletes are rather superstitious to use the conditional mood. But still – if yoy have a high enough ranking that would allow you to play at the Australian Open, will it influence your decision as to whether quit or continue?

This year I got used to play quallies so it is nothing special if I play qualifications in Australia. The decision will depend on whether I could combine my professional career and high-quality tennis with mothering.

You have defended Russia's national colors many times, you won that maiden Fed Cup trophy in 2004 winning the decisive doubles match. What can you say about the situation in which our national team is finding itself right now? What are the perspectives of our team playing in such a low level group?

I am not sure it is the lowest (laughter). But, yeah, unfortunately our team went on a downward slope but we had the same experience in the previous years. When Anastasia Myskina and Elena Dementieva were only beginning to play for the national team, they also went through all thisd. I remember the times when Tanya Panova was playing, I can call lots of names who brought our team back to the top. But unfortunately the time and generations change. There are different reasons why we are in this low position but I hope our young tennis players can take the team back to the World Group again.

Press-service of the tournament

Breaking News

Photo gallery of the final game day, October 24

Schedule for October, 24th

Karatsev sails into VTB Kremlin Cup finals after beating Khachanov

Cilic became the first finalist of the VTB Kremlin Cup

Alexandrova reached the VTB Kremlin Cup final as Sakkari retired

Kontaveit beats Vondrousova at VTB Kremlin Cup-2021 to avenge her Winbledon loss

Middelkoop and Heliovaara become second finalists of VTB Kremlin Cup-2021 doubles event

Photo gallery of the fifth game day, October 22

Karatsev garanteed an All-Russian semifinals at the VTB Kremlin Cup-2021

Khachanov outserved Millman with 19 aced to reach SF at VTB Kremlin Cup

Breaking News

Photo gallery of the final game day, October 24

Schedule for October, 24th

Karatsev sails into VTB Kremlin Cup finals after beating Khachanov

Cilic became the first finalist of the VTB Kremlin Cup

Alexandrova reached the VTB Kremlin Cup final as Sakkari retired

Kontaveit beats Vondrousova at VTB Kremlin Cup-2021 to avenge her Winbledon loss

Middelkoop and Heliovaara become second finalists of VTB Kremlin Cup-2021 doubles event

Photo gallery of the fifth game day, October 22

Karatsev garanteed an All-Russian semifinals at the VTB Kremlin Cup-2021

Khachanov outserved Millman with 19 aced to reach SF at VTB Kremlin Cup

Aslan Karatsev: «My goal is to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals in Turin»

Karatsev outpayed Cilic to win VTB Kremlin Cup singles title

Harri Heliovaara: «We play tennis just to have the kind of rallies we’ve had in the "VTB Kremlin Cup" finals»

Anett Kontaveit: «Ekaterina played great, it seemed I had no chance»

Ekaterina Alexandrova: «The loss to Kontaveit is very painful, but I won’t make it a drama»

Kontaveit came back from a set and two breaks down to beat Alexandrova in the VTB Kremlin Cup final

Aslan Karatsev: «I know what to expect from Cilic, I am ready for the final»

Karen Khachanov: «I made errors in the tie-break, it played a key role in the match against Karatsev»

Marin Cilic: «To reach another VTB Kremlin Cup final is a special moment for me»

Jelena Ostapenko: «I'm enjoying my freedom in Moscow!»

Ostapenko/Siniakova clinched doubles title at VTB Kremlin Cup-2021

Anett Kontaveit: «It’s going to be a tough battle with Alexandrova in the final»