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

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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: «As a professional, I cannot step on court, knowing, that I am not 100% ready to play!»

October 15, 07:30 PM

Daniil Medvedev pulled out of VTB Kremlin Cup 2019. At a special press-conference held on the occasion, the leader of the Russian tennis explained the reasons for his decision and took questions from the press. The press-conference was also attended by the president of the Russian Tennis Federation and chairman of VTB Kremlin Cup board of directors Shamil Tarpischev, and general secretary, vice-president of the Russian Tennis Federation and general director of the joint- stock company “Kremlin Cup” Yakov Shatkhin.

Daniil Medvedev: Nobody knew that I would do so well in Shanghai to reach my sixth final in a row. I just feel that I am physically and mentally exhausted. I can’t be 100%. As a professional, I cannot step on court, knowing, that I am not 100% ready to play! On the one hand, it is very sad, because I really wanted to play in Moscow in front of my home crowd. I’ve played for 4 years in a row in Moscow and each year my results improved. But on the other hand, this is how it is. It is professional sport, and I must do what is best for my body. In this situation I had no choice.

Shamil Tarpischev: We’ve discussed it [with Daniil Medvedev], and, of course, I fully support Daniil [Medvedev]. I myself was a professional athlete, I understand it. I would have made the same decision myself. You must avoid injuries. And this is, apparently, the most important thing. Naturally, you want to play more and keep going. That is why Daniil has my full support. We must discuss what to do next. Don’t forget, that after the ATP Finals in London there will be the Davis Cup finals. Even without this tournament (in Moscow), Daniil is under enormous physical stress.

Yakov Shatkhin: We’ve been waiting for so long for Daniil and his success, the success of our national tennis. He [Daniil] didn’t expect it himself. I mean, he was trying really hard. God Bless him, he will keep achieving success. But to do so – you need to have a rest. As a general director of the tournament, I am sad, of course. Russia’s №1 pulled out… But there are still important goals to attain. And it is Davis Cup.

Two questions. First, can you share with us your emotions after Shanghai? It is a fantastic result, sixth finals in a row, you outraced Federer. And the second question, did you get rid of the “bad guy” image?

D.M.: My answer to the first question – I feel amazing and have great mood. I’ve never dreamed about six finals in a row. One of the finals is the Grand Slam’s one, three out of them are at Masters. Outrace Federer? It is also something I’ve never dreamed of. Yes, he is, probably, not in the best shape, but he plays every week, pushes himself all the time. This is something exceptional, I am satisfied with my results. Regarding my “bad guy” image… It is not for me to decide, if I comply with it or not. Maybe, in ten years people will still ask me the same question. I think, I am a not a bad guy. Yes, I can blow off on the court, but I believe, people now know how to distinguish the real me.

Congratulations on your results! If Nostradamus had told you what you would have accomplished at the end of the season, would you have believed it?

D.M.: Probably, I won’t believe it. As Yakov Shatkhin said, I tried my best, I practiced all the time for that, did everything to achieve success. I couldn’t expect such victories, but everything worked out. It means I did everything right. I hope there will be more victories. You never know, how each match will turn out for me. But I will try my best to win as much as I can. Regarding my image… As I’ve just said, it is not really about tennis. You can be №1 in the world, but to be

a bad guy. At the same time, you can be №70 in the rankings, but be a good guy. This is for spectators and media to decide, I will just keep being myself.

A few day ago, Tsitsipas said something negative about you and your game style. He noted that he your tennis is not interesting and boring. How can you explain the fact, that he allows himself to behave like that towards you and say such words?

D.M.: Yeah, yesterday someone told me about that. Today I read it myself in the morning. Yeah, he did give such interview. Reading about it, I did not have many feelings, but thoughts. Every tennis player can say something nasty about some other player. Tsitsipas also gave another an interview during Shanghai, if I am not mistaken. He was asked how he celebrated the victory at the Laver’s Cup. Not only me, but many Russian and international tennis players laughed at his answer. After that interview I stopped taking Tsitsipas seriously.

What exactly did he say?

D.M.: I’ll quote. He said, that he was forced to drink alcohol. Well, nothing serious, but then he said: “Mother, do you hear it? They forced me to drink! It was disgusting, I can show you the video”. That is not funny. I don’t take him seriously after that.

Daniil, you’ve said that the reason of pulling out is exhaustion and physical fatigue. This is not an injury, is it? And since you are in Moscow, do you plan to watch VTB Kremlin Cup matches?

D.M.: No, this is not an injury. If it were an injury, I would have said so. For now, I don’t know what my plans are. But I will definitely watch the match Andrey Rublev vs. Alexander Bublik. I will act according to the circumstances, and maybe come and watch matches.

Will you pull out of Vienne’s tournament as well?

D.M.: I don’t know yet, I can’t promise you anything. I’ll see how the recovery process goes, how I’ll feel myself. I’ll discuss it with my team and will take a decision.

Your captain in the Davis Cup has just said that you are being preserved as the main star, the main force. So, will we see you on the Russian national team at the Davis Cup Finasl or it will all depend on the results of your performance in London?

D.M.: I can't say, that something depends on my performance in London. But, if I play like six tie-breaks in London, that would definitely had an impact on me, for sure. I plan on playing Davis Cup, but what will happen in next month, nobody can say.

How did you prepare for the matches when your head-to-head is negative?

D.M.: Earlier some journalist asked me, if a head-to-head score has an impact on the upcoming match. I think, it doesn’t. We grow up, we become better or worse, that is why each match is a different story. There are convenient opponents, some of them aren’t. You can see, that I raised my game and tennis level and that is the reason why I defeated many tennis players who used to be inconvenient for me. I can say that I agree with Tsitsipas - that in two-three or maybe even four years, he will defeat me. There is a chance, that he will win three matches in row against me.

Is there a tennis player on tour, whom you would like to beat at the big tournament?

D.M.: It is a tough question… I want to beat [Rafael] Nadal, but with the same desire I want to defeat [Novak] Djokovic. I have yet to beat Federer. I always say that my main goal is to win every match at every tournament either it is Master or ATP250, it doesn’t matter. I’ll try my best to prevail over every opponent on my way.

What is your main challenge right now?

D.M.: For me the main challenge is to win every match I have ahead of me. The more matches I win, the higher my ranking is. You can thus become №1, №2, №3. Naturally, there is a desire in my heart to win a Grand Slam. I want to reach semifinals or a final at a Grand Slam. To that end I must play well and practice persistently.

Daniil, tell us, why didn’t you defend any of your last year’s titles? Is it your trademark style?

D.M.: Not, that is far from my trademark style. I didn’t think even about it. But now I realize it happened indeed. Everything happens for various reasons. The main reason is that I had a good season from the very beginning. There were tournaments where I simply could not have played physically. Therefore, my team decided not to participate in them. I hope this does not become my trademark style (laughter). I have no such desire.

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»