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

Daniil Medvedev: «I am pleased with the result and with my game»

October 18, 08:45 PM

Are you satisfied with your game?

I am pleased with the result, with my game. I played well from the baseline, I could have served better, but I returned well – I dropped only three games. So I am satisfied, but there is a lot more to strive for.

Was it too fast a start?

This is the first tournament in a professional career when I get a bye as the second seed. Usually it is hard. I was a little nervous, it was plain to see, but I got into the match. I am glad that I got into the tournament and, I hope, this will help me in the next matches.

Can you remember when was the last time in your career when you beat someone in 50 minutes?

I beat someone as fast in Tokyo. But I have not won for a long time with such score. I honestly do not remember, but there were such matches.

Is it good or not?

This is good, I saved energy, I didn't have to worry too much. I caught the game, in any case I had been training for a week, I wanted to play matches, even if it turned out to be fast, but still it’s useful.

Many people expect an eventual victory from the Russians at the «VTB Kremlin Cup». With the withdrawal of Kyrgios, these chances increased?

On the one hand, yes, on the other hand there are still many other good players. Kyrgios did not win any tournament of late. The chances that we had did not change with his withdrawal from the tournament.

You have won three titles this year, that's a lot. How do you feel about it?

I am very happy. In fact, this is just the result of the work I have been doing throughot the season, starting with the off-season. I started to take tennis differently than last year and it began to bear fruit. The hardest thing in life is when you give it 100%, but nothing happens, so I'm glad it started to bring results.

You are one of the few players applauded by Federer, no less. Tell me, please, what did this match give to you?

This is a very good experience. I’ve only been on the Tour for the second year, didn't play as much against the best players. I realized that I could beat players like Federer. I was very close, it was all about a couple of rallies. Everything could have turned my way.

The match against Gerasimov at the Davis Cup was not an easy one for you, but now Gerasimov is already in the main draw here coming off the quallies. Was it predictable?

Egor Gerasimov is a very good player. He lost to eventualwinner Bernard Tomic in a very tough three setter at the tournament in China. I played against him in Tokyo in qualifications, he is the only player to whom I lost a set in the tournament. He always played well, but injuries held him back. If Gerasimov stays injury-free, he will be fine, and we will soon see him at the highest level tournaments.

You played against Djokovic, then against Federer. Can you compare your impressions from these matches, with whom it was more difficult to play?

I played with Djokovic when he was not in his best form, even if I lost twice. Besides, I was a different player then. It's hard to compare. In any case, when you are up against a top-level player, you immediately feel that the rhythm of the game is different. Due to their strong and fast strikes, they do not allow you to breathe during the game. Because of this, they are in the Top10. With all other players you can play your game, you have time to think, but with them there is no time for anything. This is what experience is all about, I have to learn how to beat them.

You won in Tokyo, had a good game in Shanghai, can you say that now you are at the top of your career and at the moment you have more confidence in yourself?

In Tokyo, I was definitely at the top of my career, all my strikes - the serve, the return - everything was perfect. I could put in all my balls. Here at home, there was a bad feeling. First, I played a lot of tournaments in a row. Then there was a lot of business in Moscow not related to tennis, which is normal, I rarely come here. Plus, there is a different atmosphere. The atmosphere is not quite like the one at your usual tournament where you just eat, sleep and train. There is no such a thing here. Everyone disturbs you, you need to do your own things. It was a bad feeling, but I am glad that everything went fine, that everything started like this. The main thing is that I won. I hope I can go further.

You said that you now and you last year - these are two different persons. What changed in terms of tennis and in terms of your mental preparation?

I became more professional. Whatever I do in my life, I put tennis first. You need to sacrifice something. Someone may not like it, but there is nothing to bt done. But thanks to this, I am moving forward.

You became the top racket of Russia, were there jokes on this topic, maybe some teasing? With whom do you compete - with Khachanov and Rublev?

There was always competition among us when we were juniors. We are high-level athleets, so each of us wanted to be first. As a result, all three of us were top Russian players at different times. And it is very cool that there are three of us - we motivate each other to move on. I knew that I could become the top lpayer of Russia through my work, and not because of the decline of my compatriots!

Is there a chance that Federer will step on court in that upcoming Davis Cup tie Switzerland vs Russia, do you think your experience will help in this situation?

I believe that the chance that Federer will play in the Davis Cup are pretty slim. However, if he still steps on court - it will be another great experience. I think his career will end soon. How many times do I get to play with him? No matter how many, I will gladly do it. But, I think the Swiss won't lineup their top players but we need to be prepared for everything, we need to win and tr to reach the finals.

Do you think that there will be no Wawrinka or Federer?

I do not know, this is just my opinion. Nobody told me about it.

Did you set any goals for the season and if so, did you get what you wanted?

My main goal has always been to work hard and improve myself. And secondly, play match after match. To win a tournament, you must win all the matches. And if you go to the tournament and hope that you can play some matches so-so, and in the finals you will win, you will achieve nothing. And if we talk about the ranking, then at the beginning of the year there was a goal to finish the year in the Top50. And it seems that I reached it.

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»