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

Daria Kasatkina: «I am so happy that this season is finally over!»

October 15, 09:15 PM

We are sorry for today’s result. What didn’t work? It seemed that in the second set you had a chance to come back...

No need to be sorry. No one died. In the first set, I was nervous, that had an impact, and at the same time, Dayana played very well, even aggressively. The start of the match could have been completely different. I could have led 2/1, but it turned out being 0/3. Such details usually affect the course of the match. In the second set I lost concentration at 4/2, after having a break, it also played a role.

Is this match the last one of your season? Can you sum it up?

Yes, that was the last match. I am struggling to find the right words to accurately describe my season and not be censored (laughter). I can’t even say that there have been ups and downs in this season, because it had only downs. I am so happy that this season is finally over, and the next one will start from scratch. I do not need to win a lot of points to confirm my place in the rankings. The road, so to say, is free. I just want to forget it, draw conclusions, learn from mistakes and prepare for the new season.

Do you understand why this season turned to be so unfortunate for you?

There were many moments, not only in terms of tennis, these were psychological and life moments. Everything somehow fell for one year. It happens, I hope that next year there will be a "detente" in this regard, and everything will be different.

Some experts suggest that the problems of this season are caused by the fact that you were overloaded during the off-season. Do you agree with this? If so, will you take these problems into account when preparing for the next season?

My system of practice has not heavily changed as compared to the previous season. So I don’t agree with this. Last year, my preseason was even shorter than usual. Now I will talk to my coach and my brother about the mode of preparing for the next year, we will decide everything together. I can’t figure out on my own what mistakes were made during the season. But I think that we will change the preseason preparation a bit.

You started last season as world №10. Have you been psychologically pressured by people's expectations?

I think so - I wouldn’t try to lie to myself saying that it doesn’t affect me, and I don’t pay attention to it. Perhaps this subconsciously played a role. I scrolled some expectations in my head while stepping on court. In any case, this is a very valuable experience, and I'm happy that I got it in this "kind of young" age (laughter). I hope that this will help me a lot in the future.

Any plans for the off-season? Where will you practice? Will you go to the mountains this year?

I will spend the preseason in Barcelona this year. Preseason, by the way, this year will turn out a little longer. I will practice with my new coach Carlos Martinez at his academy. I hope that this will bear fruit. And I won’t go to the mountains this year.

How did your new coach Carlos Martinez fit into your team? What are you working on?

He fits in well. When choosing a coach, I take into account some criteria. For example, I already knew how he works, how he understands tennis. I already knew him before that. I am close to his philosophy in terms of the way his athlete should follow. He coached Sveta Kuznetsova, her style is similar to mine. He said that he likes the way I play. Our vision of the game goes in one direction, we have no conflicts in this regard. In addition, his academy is located in Barcelona, where I have always dreamed of living. I am glad that we work together.

And what does this tennis philosophy of Carlos mean in your understanding?

To run to my forehand side, to change the rhythm, to hit top-spins.

Yesterday, Anna Kalinskaya said that she did not even imagine that her coach could be a man. And you have never had a woman - coach. You never wanted to find one?

I never had any stereotypes, I don’t think that my coach can be only a man. It just happened this way. Perhaps someday I will try to work with a woman, but now everything works OK with Carlos.

Is there a difference between the courts at the “Olimpiyskiy” and “Krylatskoye”stadiums?

There is a huge difference. It's no secret that the courts in “Krylatskoye” cover the ice arena, and every day the courts are becoming slower, and the bounce – lower. Of course, this is very different from what we had at the “Olimpiyskiy”. This played a role. But in any case, every single player must decide for himself how to work in such conditions.

In Russia, you have a great fan team . You can tell your supporters whether they do something disturbing?

When they support me sincerely, it is always nice. Of course, there are some shouts from the stands like "Dasha, compose yourself ..." when I lose. They try to cheer me this way, but fail to chose the right moment or intonation. But in any case, this culture is developing, people began to support players much better, before it was a little different. I am glad that last year I played in front of a packed stadium in the “VTB Kremlin Cup” finals, the atmosphere is very important at such matches. And it was very nice that this tournament attracts so many people.

Did you get a lot of negative stuff in social networks this year? Did it bother you?

It’s always like this. We need to win all the matches during a year to avoid such negativity, but it’s not granted still. Of course, this is annoying, you don’t understand why people have so much anger in them. Why do they care so much whether I lost a match or not. First, I hid the comments on Instagram, then I just deleted the application from the phone. Now I feel great when I do not use the social networks. My head begins to work differently. In any case, there is no way to get rid of these people, it is impossible to block everyone.

Do you have people who always support you even in the most difficult moments?

Of course, these people are always with me. My team, relatives, friends, their opinion is much more important for me than the comments of people on the net.

For a long time you were friends with Daria Gavrilova, and now you do not post anything even on Instagram. Something happened?

It’s a pity that for everyone now the main indicator is Instagram. We are still good friends. She called me a couple of days ago, talked about herself.

How do you assess the progress of Daniel Medvedev?

He is not bad. (Laughs) Daniil did a great job, he progressed incredibly over the past six months, everyone is shocked by his steely mind. Six finals in a row ... How is this even possible?! And his serve especially helps him a lot. I don’t even know what else to say, you all see that by yourselves. Even if he has some troubles, he doesn’t show it. I hope that he will continue to progress, and bad thoughts will not come to his mind. He will just push further like a tank, that's all.

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»