Post by Annie on Jun 11, 2005 19:06:16 GMT 3
Interview from Russian Youth Magazine 'YES' in 2000
Q - What do you think about during a match?
M: During a game I only think about tennis, I don't notice anything around me.
- Even girls?
M: For me, work is the most important. Any fun comes after a match.
. - And what type of girl attracts you?
M: Obviously, good looks. But beauty is not the most important thing. The main thing, I think, is she has brains. My girlfriend's not a model, just a simple Spanish little girl called Silvia. We, with her sister, trained together in Valencia. Silvia's the person I talk to. Still it is important to me, that she understands I am concerned with my work.
Do you think the way a sportsman looks is important?
M: Probably, yes. If Kournikova wasn't a beauty, she wouldn't have become so rich, right?
- To tell the truth, during your childhood you were her practice partner?
M: Well yes. Then as the weakest player in a group of boys, by way of punishment, I had to play the most talented girl. She was called Anna. I so wanted to win, that I always became hysterical and made ridiculous mistakes. As a result I lost and I was terribly angry with myself, that I'd lost to the little girl.
- Is it hard to play in a team with Kafelnikov?
M: For me, no. Zhenya is an absolutely normal person in real life. He'll always prompt me, when it's necessary. He helped me with the start of my career - both on court, and in life. And when we were razed to the ground in the rankings, our relationship did not deteriorate. I was sincerely glad of his victory in Sydney.
- Your mum is a well known coach. Does she give you any advice?
M: I'm just against children being coached by their parents. Mum should stay mum, for me it is better to be coached by another person. My younger sister Dinara also has high hopes in tennis, but I'm not involved in her education. She should study through her own experience. Everyone should achieve things by themselves in life. If in her childhood everything comes easily to her, it will be very hard for her later.
- Are you afraid of anything?
M: Injuries, like all sportsmen. When you leave for months because of an operation, you don't just lose your good form, but also your confidence.
-Do you have any good luck charms/rituals?
M: Basically, I try to not pay attention to such trifles. When you play badly, no ritual will help. Even if you go on court, saying spells or trying to break "unhappy" karma.
- What's your nickname?
M: There are three, and all appeared in 1998 when I played my first "Grand Slam " in Paris. I managed to win the first round against Andre Agassi, for which I was given the nickname Giant Killer. Then I beat the previous winner of " Roland Garros" Gustavo Kuerten, then French journalists renamed me as the Russian Bazooka. And for the following victory, I received the nickname Terminator.
- What kinds of music, film and books do you like?
M: I recently saw, and liked most of all, "Ronin" with Robert De Niro. In the right mood I like "Dumb and Dumber ". It's not a masterpiece, certainly, but after practice it's what I unwind to. In music I prefer Scooter. Though I listen to all kinds - from Metallica to Enigma, it depends on my mood, and that varies throughout the day. My favourite writer is Cheiz. After such physical hardworking, it is great to relax and to enjoy something. Still,I love computer games, especially those with battles or football. They are useful, because you develop strategic thinking.
What are your hobbies?
M: When I was a kid I collected stamps, my parents still have them. And now I adore cars. My favourite model is the "Mitsubishi Evolution 6 ", though I also like "Jaguar" and "Mercedes" too. And I also like
?? too. (anyone know what this is?) I want to visit the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Only, not for a tournament. Though in general, I prefer physical leisure activities, like surfing and .
- Have you ever wanted to leave tennis altogether and live the life of a normal person?
M: I've felt like that, certainly. Especially after insulting defeats. One failure, then another- but it doesn't matter even if you start to reflect on it, you are in the business. And so, I feel like leaving, when I don't get any pleasure. I would sleep in the afternoon, in the evening party. Or I would simply sleep all day and night.
. - Near a warm cat?
M: Yes, but there's no cat. A white rabbit lives with us. We won't think up a name for him.
- And what you are going to do after your sports career has finished?
M: Maybe I shall open a club or restaurant with Russian cuisine. That's my favourite. Especially pelmenis.
- You left for Valencia at 14 years old. You feel yourself part Spaniard?
M: No. You can see that at once through both my gestures and conversation. We Russians speak very sharply, Spaniards are softer. I love Spain. There I met many people who helped me. Thanks to them I have achieved something. They taught me not only to play, but also to make independent decisions. It was a difficult school, I'm glad that I have passed (through) it.
. - When did you give your first autograph?
M: I don't remember, probably, after the first match at " Davis Cup " in Moscow. Boys shoved programs infront of me.
- And when did you first feel like an adult?
M: In life, probably, not until now. And on court I couldn't pin-point any moment: before this tournament I was a boy, and the ambassador began adults. I've been in tennis for 10 years and I know how deal with this or that situation.
- You have changed a lot in this time?
M: Naturally. I've matured. I've received different rankings. Certainly, it is pleasant to receive awards. In Sydney I got a badge for 'deserved master of sports'. But it's simply a beautiful name, nothing more. Better or worse I did not really begin to play. Though the ranking obliges you to behave on a public-platform and live within certain limits. All the time you have to appeal to a market (fans) and be careful - I've realised this, having read a pair of "@" internet interviews, where I hadn't said anything that had been written.
Translated by Ruth
Requested by Inna
IF YOU WISH TO POST THESE INTERVIEWS ELSE WHERE PLEASE INCLUDE CREDIT FOR ALL TRANSLATORS MENTIONED AND THE GUYFROMRUSSIA URL FOR THE INTERVIEW THANK YOU!!
Q - What do you think about during a match?
M: During a game I only think about tennis, I don't notice anything around me.
- Even girls?
M: For me, work is the most important. Any fun comes after a match.
. - And what type of girl attracts you?
M: Obviously, good looks. But beauty is not the most important thing. The main thing, I think, is she has brains. My girlfriend's not a model, just a simple Spanish little girl called Silvia. We, with her sister, trained together in Valencia. Silvia's the person I talk to. Still it is important to me, that she understands I am concerned with my work.
Do you think the way a sportsman looks is important?
M: Probably, yes. If Kournikova wasn't a beauty, she wouldn't have become so rich, right?
- To tell the truth, during your childhood you were her practice partner?
M: Well yes. Then as the weakest player in a group of boys, by way of punishment, I had to play the most talented girl. She was called Anna. I so wanted to win, that I always became hysterical and made ridiculous mistakes. As a result I lost and I was terribly angry with myself, that I'd lost to the little girl.
- Is it hard to play in a team with Kafelnikov?
M: For me, no. Zhenya is an absolutely normal person in real life. He'll always prompt me, when it's necessary. He helped me with the start of my career - both on court, and in life. And when we were razed to the ground in the rankings, our relationship did not deteriorate. I was sincerely glad of his victory in Sydney.
- Your mum is a well known coach. Does she give you any advice?
M: I'm just against children being coached by their parents. Mum should stay mum, for me it is better to be coached by another person. My younger sister Dinara also has high hopes in tennis, but I'm not involved in her education. She should study through her own experience. Everyone should achieve things by themselves in life. If in her childhood everything comes easily to her, it will be very hard for her later.
- Are you afraid of anything?
M: Injuries, like all sportsmen. When you leave for months because of an operation, you don't just lose your good form, but also your confidence.
-Do you have any good luck charms/rituals?
M: Basically, I try to not pay attention to such trifles. When you play badly, no ritual will help. Even if you go on court, saying spells or trying to break "unhappy" karma.
- What's your nickname?
M: There are three, and all appeared in 1998 when I played my first "Grand Slam " in Paris. I managed to win the first round against Andre Agassi, for which I was given the nickname Giant Killer. Then I beat the previous winner of " Roland Garros" Gustavo Kuerten, then French journalists renamed me as the Russian Bazooka. And for the following victory, I received the nickname Terminator.
- What kinds of music, film and books do you like?
M: I recently saw, and liked most of all, "Ronin" with Robert De Niro. In the right mood I like "Dumb and Dumber ". It's not a masterpiece, certainly, but after practice it's what I unwind to. In music I prefer Scooter. Though I listen to all kinds - from Metallica to Enigma, it depends on my mood, and that varies throughout the day. My favourite writer is Cheiz. After such physical hardworking, it is great to relax and to enjoy something. Still,I love computer games, especially those with battles or football. They are useful, because you develop strategic thinking.
What are your hobbies?
M: When I was a kid I collected stamps, my parents still have them. And now I adore cars. My favourite model is the "Mitsubishi Evolution 6 ", though I also like "Jaguar" and "Mercedes" too. And I also like
?? too. (anyone know what this is?) I want to visit the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Only, not for a tournament. Though in general, I prefer physical leisure activities, like surfing and .- Have you ever wanted to leave tennis altogether and live the life of a normal person?
M: I've felt like that, certainly. Especially after insulting defeats. One failure, then another- but it doesn't matter even if you start to reflect on it, you are in the business. And so, I feel like leaving, when I don't get any pleasure. I would sleep in the afternoon, in the evening party. Or I would simply sleep all day and night.
. - Near a warm cat?
M: Yes, but there's no cat. A white rabbit lives with us. We won't think up a name for him.
- And what you are going to do after your sports career has finished?
M: Maybe I shall open a club or restaurant with Russian cuisine. That's my favourite. Especially pelmenis.
- You left for Valencia at 14 years old. You feel yourself part Spaniard?
M: No. You can see that at once through both my gestures and conversation. We Russians speak very sharply, Spaniards are softer. I love Spain. There I met many people who helped me. Thanks to them I have achieved something. They taught me not only to play, but also to make independent decisions. It was a difficult school, I'm glad that I have passed (through) it.
. - When did you give your first autograph?
M: I don't remember, probably, after the first match at " Davis Cup " in Moscow. Boys shoved programs infront of me.
- And when did you first feel like an adult?
M: In life, probably, not until now. And on court I couldn't pin-point any moment: before this tournament I was a boy, and the ambassador began adults. I've been in tennis for 10 years and I know how deal with this or that situation.
- You have changed a lot in this time?
M: Naturally. I've matured. I've received different rankings. Certainly, it is pleasant to receive awards. In Sydney I got a badge for 'deserved master of sports'. But it's simply a beautiful name, nothing more. Better or worse I did not really begin to play. Though the ranking obliges you to behave on a public-platform and live within certain limits. All the time you have to appeal to a market (fans) and be careful - I've realised this, having read a pair of "@" internet interviews, where I hadn't said anything that had been written.
Translated by Ruth
Requested by Inna
IF YOU WISH TO POST THESE INTERVIEWS ELSE WHERE PLEASE INCLUDE CREDIT FOR ALL TRANSLATORS MENTIONED AND THE GUYFROMRUSSIA URL FOR THE INTERVIEW THANK YOU!!
