Post by Annie on Jun 11, 2005 18:57:44 GMT 3
"Now you'll feel the Nuclear Explosion"
Moscow Komosomolets.
(10 Nov 1998)
Moscow Komsomolets: Nov.1998
"Now you will be covered by a nuclear explosion"
Two weeks after some fine tennis from the ladies tour in Moscow , the Kremlin Cup welcomes the men. Though, in all honesty, the structure is a little thinner than the womens.
The prize fund is the same: $1,000,125. And the winner will get $157,000 of it.
Participants for the tournament, in a city which has a lot of support for Russians, include world number eight Yevgeny Kafelnikov, world number six, Spaniard Alex Corretja, Goran Ivanisevic, who won the title two years ago, and who also compared the win to a nuclear explosion. Also in Moscow will be twice winner of this tournament Marc Rosset, and in the doubles we will see a well known pair, 'The Woodies' ; Mark Woodford and Todd Woodbridge.
And we shall also take a look at a rising tennis star, Russian Marat Safin. Before the beginning of the men's Kremlin Cup, I managed to talk to the disturber of world tennis tranquility.
Q. Marat, what is your mood before this tournament?
M. Well, what can I say? I've only managed to get on court 5 or 6 times in the past two weeks. I've had some stomach problems. But now, thank God, everything is back to normal. I don't think this unfortunate lapse will stop me from playing well at the kremlin Cup.
Q. What does 'well' mean for you?
M. To get through as many rounds as possible. That is my aim in all tournaments. So I never say to myself ; "You must get to the semi-finals or the final!" If you set yourself this goal, you'll be putting the raquet back into the bag after the first round.
Q. Who would you like to avoid in the first round?
M. Some very strong players have come this year - Kafelnikov, Peter Korda, Goran Ivanisevic. Personally, I don't mind who I play. I don't feel any shyness. If I had been afraid of anyone, I would not have been able to go from 210th in the world to 50th in the world in one season.
Q. Yes, you've caused quite a stir this year. The French Open in particular stands out. It seemed for a while they were talking about you even more than Kafelnikov.
M. I have my happiest memories from Roland Garros. I was very glad to beat Andre Agassi and then the Brazilian champion Gustavo Kuerten. I was simply playing better than I thought I could, because anything seemed possible. My rise is not accidental. I can probably call this year fantastic. A combination of good luck and aspiration helped to propel me further. To be honest, at the beginning of the year, I didn't even have enough money to pay for travel expenses. Now I completely provide for myself.
Q. So you're a 100% happy with this years results?
M. Not really. After the French open, I went through a bad patch. I went out in 6 consecutive first rounds. And it wasn't because I thought I was now a star. Even now I don't consider myself a star. It was psychological weariness, I lost my form. By the way, I've noticed I always play badly in the summer. But judging by last year, I do ok in November.
Q. Well, that's easy to understand, the soul needs rest...
M. Tennis players don't have much free time. All the travelling, non-stop tournaments, living in hotels,.... you work really hard during training, no hanging out. But to be honest, sometimes I just don't feel like hitting a ball on the court- I'm so lazy. I only really get time to rest at the end of the year. Right now, I am going to spend some time in Moscow. The best vacations are spent with your parents. I could only see them for 2 months at the most this year. I only talk to them by phone, so I try to call them every 2 days.
Q. What do you do in your free time?
M. I like to read different books, or play computer games. Sometimes I manage to go to a club. I like listening to different types of music too, Metallica, Halloween, Enigma. In general, it changes, depending on my mood, and my mood changes 10 times a day!
Q. How do you cope with a bad mood?
M. Women! (laughter) There should always be a person who can give you advice and such. Of course, parents are the first choice, but mostly it's down to the coach.
Q. Speaking of women, do you have a girlfriend?
M. yes.
Q. Who is your favourite female player from the WTA?
M. I won't be original; Anna Kournikova. She is a very beautiful girl, or young lady, is that what I should call her? I also like the German player Jana Kandarr, she is more like a model. But I like both Anna and Jana just physically, from a distance. For example, I wouldn't marry Anna.
Q. So you're already thinking about marriage?
M. As they say in one movie "It's never too early or too late to think about marriage." But I'm not ready yet to start my own family. I'm only 18. When I'm about 25, I'll start to think more seriously about settling down. At this moment in time, I need to feel like I'm a man, to think about myself in that way, and to become a fully rounded male. To achieve something, to be able to take care of two people... so far, I'm just moving in this direction.
Q. A formal suit always fits a real man...
M. Well, well, well,.... here you go again, remembering the Davis Cup. I still haven't bought myself a suit, despite being jammed into that thing, back then. In fact, I decided a while ago; I should buy one. I keep telling myself everyday "That's it, today I'm going to shop for one." And then I think; "But can't I go tomorrow?" And there I go, tomorrow, tomorrow.... I've already told you what a lazy guy I am. But when I go back to Spain in a months time, I'm going to buy myself a suit. For sure!!
Q. What about football? Are you going to see the Spartak v Real match?
M. I was thinking about it, actually. I've been a Spartak fan since I was a kid. I'm sorry I missed their game with Inter. It's an insult it was a draw!! By the way, if I hadn't become a tennis player, I would have been a footballer. Although, what kind of a footballer would I have been, when I'm so tall!? And I also lack the co-ordination needed.
Q. And what do you lack with regards to tennis?
M. I need to work on my serve. Right now, it seems to be my main weapon, the thing that helps me win. I've got big plans! Next year, I want to be top ten. Maybe I could even carry a big stick at the first racket?
[another phrase we don't know the meaning to..any help would be welcomed!]
Interview by Peter Sobennikov
Translated by Ruth, with much help from an earlier translation by Xena Egorova which can be found at:
geocities.com/Colosseum/Gym/8434?KCinterview.html
members.nbci.com/_XMCM/msafin/mk2.html
[original source]
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!!
Moscow Komosomolets.
(10 Nov 1998)
Moscow Komsomolets: Nov.1998
"Now you will be covered by a nuclear explosion"
Two weeks after some fine tennis from the ladies tour in Moscow , the Kremlin Cup welcomes the men. Though, in all honesty, the structure is a little thinner than the womens.
The prize fund is the same: $1,000,125. And the winner will get $157,000 of it.
Participants for the tournament, in a city which has a lot of support for Russians, include world number eight Yevgeny Kafelnikov, world number six, Spaniard Alex Corretja, Goran Ivanisevic, who won the title two years ago, and who also compared the win to a nuclear explosion. Also in Moscow will be twice winner of this tournament Marc Rosset, and in the doubles we will see a well known pair, 'The Woodies' ; Mark Woodford and Todd Woodbridge.
And we shall also take a look at a rising tennis star, Russian Marat Safin. Before the beginning of the men's Kremlin Cup, I managed to talk to the disturber of world tennis tranquility.
Q. Marat, what is your mood before this tournament?
M. Well, what can I say? I've only managed to get on court 5 or 6 times in the past two weeks. I've had some stomach problems. But now, thank God, everything is back to normal. I don't think this unfortunate lapse will stop me from playing well at the kremlin Cup.
Q. What does 'well' mean for you?
M. To get through as many rounds as possible. That is my aim in all tournaments. So I never say to myself ; "You must get to the semi-finals or the final!" If you set yourself this goal, you'll be putting the raquet back into the bag after the first round.
Q. Who would you like to avoid in the first round?
M. Some very strong players have come this year - Kafelnikov, Peter Korda, Goran Ivanisevic. Personally, I don't mind who I play. I don't feel any shyness. If I had been afraid of anyone, I would not have been able to go from 210th in the world to 50th in the world in one season.
Q. Yes, you've caused quite a stir this year. The French Open in particular stands out. It seemed for a while they were talking about you even more than Kafelnikov.
M. I have my happiest memories from Roland Garros. I was very glad to beat Andre Agassi and then the Brazilian champion Gustavo Kuerten. I was simply playing better than I thought I could, because anything seemed possible. My rise is not accidental. I can probably call this year fantastic. A combination of good luck and aspiration helped to propel me further. To be honest, at the beginning of the year, I didn't even have enough money to pay for travel expenses. Now I completely provide for myself.
Q. So you're a 100% happy with this years results?
M. Not really. After the French open, I went through a bad patch. I went out in 6 consecutive first rounds. And it wasn't because I thought I was now a star. Even now I don't consider myself a star. It was psychological weariness, I lost my form. By the way, I've noticed I always play badly in the summer. But judging by last year, I do ok in November.
Q. Well, that's easy to understand, the soul needs rest...
M. Tennis players don't have much free time. All the travelling, non-stop tournaments, living in hotels,.... you work really hard during training, no hanging out. But to be honest, sometimes I just don't feel like hitting a ball on the court- I'm so lazy. I only really get time to rest at the end of the year. Right now, I am going to spend some time in Moscow. The best vacations are spent with your parents. I could only see them for 2 months at the most this year. I only talk to them by phone, so I try to call them every 2 days.
Q. What do you do in your free time?
M. I like to read different books, or play computer games. Sometimes I manage to go to a club. I like listening to different types of music too, Metallica, Halloween, Enigma. In general, it changes, depending on my mood, and my mood changes 10 times a day!
Q. How do you cope with a bad mood?
M. Women! (laughter) There should always be a person who can give you advice and such. Of course, parents are the first choice, but mostly it's down to the coach.
Q. Speaking of women, do you have a girlfriend?
M. yes.
Q. Who is your favourite female player from the WTA?
M. I won't be original; Anna Kournikova. She is a very beautiful girl, or young lady, is that what I should call her? I also like the German player Jana Kandarr, she is more like a model. But I like both Anna and Jana just physically, from a distance. For example, I wouldn't marry Anna.
Q. So you're already thinking about marriage?
M. As they say in one movie "It's never too early or too late to think about marriage." But I'm not ready yet to start my own family. I'm only 18. When I'm about 25, I'll start to think more seriously about settling down. At this moment in time, I need to feel like I'm a man, to think about myself in that way, and to become a fully rounded male. To achieve something, to be able to take care of two people... so far, I'm just moving in this direction.
Q. A formal suit always fits a real man...
M. Well, well, well,.... here you go again, remembering the Davis Cup. I still haven't bought myself a suit, despite being jammed into that thing, back then. In fact, I decided a while ago; I should buy one. I keep telling myself everyday "That's it, today I'm going to shop for one." And then I think; "But can't I go tomorrow?" And there I go, tomorrow, tomorrow.... I've already told you what a lazy guy I am. But when I go back to Spain in a months time, I'm going to buy myself a suit. For sure!!
Q. What about football? Are you going to see the Spartak v Real match?
M. I was thinking about it, actually. I've been a Spartak fan since I was a kid. I'm sorry I missed their game with Inter. It's an insult it was a draw!! By the way, if I hadn't become a tennis player, I would have been a footballer. Although, what kind of a footballer would I have been, when I'm so tall!? And I also lack the co-ordination needed.
Q. And what do you lack with regards to tennis?
M. I need to work on my serve. Right now, it seems to be my main weapon, the thing that helps me win. I've got big plans! Next year, I want to be top ten. Maybe I could even carry a big stick at the first racket?
[another phrase we don't know the meaning to..any help would be welcomed!]
Interview by Peter Sobennikov
Translated by Ruth, with much help from an earlier translation by Xena Egorova which can be found at:
geocities.com/Colosseum/Gym/8434?KCinterview.html
members.nbci.com/_XMCM/msafin/mk2.html
[original source]
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!!
