|
|
Post by Annie on Mar 4, 2007 1:38:27 GMT 3
|
|
|
|
Post by Mrs. Fabregas on Mar 4, 2007 1:47:40 GMT 3
Awwww....... Poor Zenya.... so sad that he lost  But what a performance....... Saw highlights of the match and watched the tiebreak........ some pretty good shots, from both players..... Btw... thought it was funny....... the both weared the same outfit..... Also the same Marat is wearing.... Looks like Ocean Blue is pretty hot/ trendy ATM...... |
|
|
|
Post by Annie on Mar 5, 2007 10:40:32 GMT 3
|
|
|
|
Post by Annie on Mar 5, 2007 15:22:50 GMT 3
Translated from Russian
March 5, Sport Express Newspaper Interview (by Alexey Tolkachev from LA)
Evgeniy Korolev: “And then Safin said, “Let’s go and sort this out!”
(I am going to skip the introductory part where the article author talks about the situation itself and recaps the order of events and then says how tough it was to get through to Zhenya. But he finally managed to catch Korolev in his hotel room on the phone and get this interview)
Rules Confusion
- Evgeniy I would like to congratulate you on your first career semifinal even though the press and the fans are more interested in that mess, if not scandal, that accompanied your way to the quarterfinals.
Thank you. I am glad that justice was done.
- Were you aware of the rules of Round Robin, which if you trust ATP press releases were not known to neither the players nor the organizers of the Las Vegas tournament?
Of course I was aware of the rules, how else can it be? Obviously these rules are not understood by some players and are not correct in my opinion. I knew that if Del Potro retired from the match I would reach the quarterfinals. If James had a big win over him – then James would, and finally if Del Potro would have defeated Blake or had taken at least 6 games, he would be the one to proceed.
- Therefore Argentinean’s retirement couldn’t not make you happy?
I asked Del Potro, “Why did you retire?” It seemed really strange to me. I was following the match on the internet and when the score was 6/1 1/0 I went to the club to get my prize money, get the papers for the next tournament, etc. Then all of a sudden I meet Del Potro and he goes, “You are through!” I was like “What happened?” – “I had breathing problems”, he replied.
- So getting your tournament cheque had to be postponed?
Of course. I had walked up to James and said “Look, I am sorry it went that way”. It’s not that I felt guilty or anything but the situation was unpleasant. Kinda sorry I got through instead of you. And he goes “They are still deciding”. I am like “Deciding what?” – “Who will go through to the quarters” – “But according to the rules it’s me. What’s there to decide?” I said.
- Were you surprised Blake was still hopeful?
As I was told afterwards Blake got mad after the match and approached the supervisor of the tournament to protest the result. It’s obvious he was leading in the match and would have won it, but rules are rules. I was also told that the ATP President had changed them by a matter of one phone call and said that it would be James who would play further and not me.
- What did you feel at that point?
It was very unpleasant. I was obviously against such a decision because if we had all agreed to try out round robin then we have to stick to the rules that were laid out for us. Other guys expressed their support too: Marat Safin, Thomas Johansson, Lleyton Hewitt.
-Safin expressed his opinion on this incident as always in a rather not politically correct manner…
Yes, his comments were harsh. He said “The guy has only been on the ATP tour for a year and you’re already pressuring him like that. This is not the way guys!” Thank you to Marat for intervention, because they probably thought I was young and noone would back me up. Marat didn’t even think twice, told me “Come with me”, I was like “Marat, it’s OK, really” – “No no, it’s not OK, we are going to sort this out”.
- Sounds like a senior in high school trying to defend a youngster from bullies…
Yes, Marat very politely expressed his point of view on this. He asked them straight in their faces how could they let something like this happen and who has the right to pull this off – change rules in the middle of the tournament. It’s the same thing as coming out to the match, playing it, losing 6.7 in the third set and then approaching the supervisor and saying “Could I please play two more games. I will beat him now”.
- So turns out it’s Safin who re-established justice?
Well I also called my agents; I think they did their share too. One of them woke me up at 5 am saying “Get ready, you’re gonna play”. Then at 6 am the tournament supervisor Marc Darby phoned and said that the ATP President Etienne De Villiers had changed his decision in my favor now.
Sorry for Blake
- Did anyone apologise?
Yes the next to call was from Etienne himself and said that he apologises, that he wanted to do what was best. From a personal point of view, I understand him because this round robin system is really far from being well thought through.
- I suppose he had to apologise to Blake even longer…
I feel sorry for James. I told him about it right away – back when he had just said that ATP were discussing who would reach the quarters. I said “James if it is written in the rules that they can decide who goes through and who doesn’t – I will agree to this decision because it is not fair to you otherwise.” This is exactly what I told him, you can ask him if you want to. But sympathy is sympathy and rules are rules. And that is exactly why in Dubai am emergency players meeting was held, Roger Federer and other guys from the players union took part in it. They were all devastated and declared that in accordance with the rules I should play.
- Players in Dubai actually discussed your situation?
Yes and then called Etienne and came to an agreement that rules cannot be changed in the course of the tournament. To be honest this could have easily been a court case, I had every right to go to court and sue ATP because I was simply eliminated from the tournament.
- Without any accusations Safin had declared that this scandal would have never taken place if the situation were the total opposite, i.e. if you were the one leaving the tournament in accordance with the rules instead of the top seed. Do you agree?
To be honest yes. But you cannot forget that tennis is not only a sport, it’s also business. And it’s obvious that many fans would not attend the rest of the matches after Blake left the tournament. So I would have to agree with Marat. I think if it was a player from the end of top 100 no one would have woken up the ATP President at 1 am for him.
- Have you seen Blake after this?
Last time we spoke was Thursday night when we all still thought he was the one to go through. I told James I was slightly upset but sincerely wished him luck for the rest of the tournament. All in all, we parted on OK terms, I didn’t see him on Friday but heard that he held a press-conference and in his turn wished me luck, said that he had only just fully understood the rules and how it all works.
- Does it feel nice to have such support from your colleagues?
Yes and what’s more nice is that Etienne phoned and apologized. All in all, everything is alright now, it was alright even on Thursday. I had decided to grind my teeth and not talk to the press that day and didn’t attend the press conference.
- So what happens to round robin now?
Many players were against it from the very beginning. But it was ATP’s idea and we all agreed to try it out. However after everything that’s happened I think there won’t be much more of round robin and there will be normal tournaments like before. Nobody really wins from this new format. As I was told this had happened for the second week in a row, there was a similar situation in Buenos Aires last week and the players simply started to withdraw from tournaments because no one is liking this much. And I am not even mentioning the tournaments that at first agreed to round robin and are now returning to a conventional format.
- So the experiment failed?
I think after Miami where we will have a meeting about this, it will be over. Sooner or later this was bound to happen, so it happened to me. If all the players are equal as we are being told – then let’s work this way in order to avoid what Marat had mentioned: if Blake is 5th in the world, top seed of the tournament and plays at home, then it’s possible to come and start dictating your own rules.
- If you consider what De Villiers had said, round robin format is favored by the fans. Wouldn’t you want to consider their needs too?
I don’t think we’d be taking anything away from the fans. A tennis tournament is 32 players, or 64. You win – you keep going, you lose – pack your bags. As for this format – total confusion.
Grab a racket and go
- I admire your self-control and the fact that you can so calmly talk about everything…
I went to bed at 3 am because of all of these phone calls. And in two hours I was woken up again. I got out on court without any breakfast, any rest but I managed to play well anyway.
- Did you get to train and warm-up?
No, just jogged a little, grabbed a racket and off I went. I played OK, didn’t make that many mistakes but obviously didn’t show my best tennis. I was pretty tired by the second set, got a headache due to lack of sleep. I am glad I earned a lot of points and hope to move up in the ratings next week. I just feel really sorry for Blake. I don’t want to judge whether he was right or wrong. The fact that James went to sort things out with the tournament supervisors and probably ATP officials it is correct in general. Blake pointed out at faults in the rules what else could he do? But I also think that he has to understand me, and as a result no one should take any offense.
- Since you’re so sympathetic about Blake, what did you feel on Friday when coming out to court? That you had to win no matter what? For yourself and for that guy as they say?
Honestly, I did have that thought. First of all I just wanted to win and reach the semis for the first time. Secondly was thinking I should not let down… well ATP amongst others, since they put their money on me and James, who through press wished me to at least win the tournament.
- Your popularity has increased in the last days. Are you complaining about that?
No, I am all for it (laughs). And the guys are jokingly thanking me, “Well done! Now we can go and cancel round robin”.
- Did you easily go through the press conference after the quarters? Or were there any tricky questions?
It was easy, the journalists tried to avoid really sharp questions, were probably afraid I’d say something. On Thursday I probably could have but I didn’t. What for? I want to play on tour for the next maybe 15 years so why should I ruin my life? It happened, so what can you do…
-When on Thursday an announcement was made in the press centre that you would not meet with the journalists many had thought they were trying to hide you and shut you up…
The ATP person who is responsible for press conferences is obliged to inform us journalists are seeking meetings with us. He asked me about five times but I knew the journalists wanted a bang and as you might understand that was the last thing I needed. I was waiting for a call from Etienne that would clarify everything and didn’t want to talk to anyone until then. And everything turned out well…
- I must say that you showed high class on and off court and all I have left to do is congratulate you and wish you the best of luck in Indian Wells and Miami where the tennis world will be watching you much closer from now on.
Thank you very much and a special thanks to Russian supporters and the media for their support. I think I should do well in my next tournament, there won’t be any round robin there. Or maybe… round robin suits me well. I did pass it, didn’t I! They wanted to move me but couldn’t…
|
|
|
|
Post by lau on Mar 5, 2007 16:26:10 GMT 3
|
|
|
|
Post by Annie on Mar 5, 2007 17:38:03 GMT 3
After Las Vegas climbed 28 places up in the rankings and is currently at number 71 ;D ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by bia2209 on Mar 5, 2007 18:09:06 GMT 3
Spasibo for the translation  As lau said   about Blake. Even worse than i orginally thought. But Zhenya seriously is too cute. He's handled himself so well on and off the court. The more I learn about this kid, the more I like him  And or does anyone else find the idea of Marat on a warpath really adorable?  |
|
|
|
Post by Mrs. Fabregas on Mar 5, 2007 18:21:07 GMT 3
And or does anyone else find the idea of Marat on a warpath really adorable? Yep.... very adorable, B.....  Like a big brother that is protecting his little one.... Awwwww....... that's gonna make him even hotter than he already is....  |
|
|
|
Post by SAFINNO1 on Mar 5, 2007 21:31:21 GMT 3
Good to see Marat done good in sorting out this shambles!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Annie for the translation |
|
|
|
Post by Alya10 on Mar 6, 2007 15:38:08 GMT 3
Thanks a milion Annie for the translation Zhenya acted 5 stars! And so did Marat, and unlike it says on the article I think he was straightforward (as usual) but even diplomatic  Oh and thumbs up for Roger and others in Dubai ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Happiness on Mar 7, 2007 3:30:43 GMT 3
Zhenya you really deserve hats off for your extraordinarily cool head!!! I'm not sure I would have acted like that (But then again who knows me knows how I am LOL). From now on I'll be looking closely your matches!!! ;D ;D |
|
|
|
Post by aussiechick on Mar 7, 2007 4:26:04 GMT 3
Thanks Annie for the translation  I agree with you all. I'm so impressed with all the support Zhenya received from the players... And how could you not love marat even more after what he did! Best of luck to Zhenya, I hope he keeps moving up |
|
|
|
Post by SAFINNO1 on Mar 9, 2007 20:27:30 GMT 3
After his week of he is back in action in the first AMS of the season.
Zhenya Korolev plays Simon Gruel in the 1st round and dare i say it Mitya awaits him in round 2.
Igor Kunitsyn plays Florian Mayer in the 1st round and has Juanqui in round 2.
Tima had to win 2 qualifiying matches against player from the phillipines and Greece and will play Kristof Vliegen in the 1st round
UDACHI to all the Russians
|
|
|
|
Post by Mrs. Fabregas on Mar 10, 2007 1:49:16 GMT 3
Zhenya won his match agains Greul : 6-7, 7-5 and 6-1..... He'll face Dmitry in the next round.....  Don't know for who i'll have to cheer then..... |
|
|
|
Post by aussiechick on Mar 10, 2007 2:55:00 GMT 3
Looks like you will be cheering for Korolev as Dmitry is still injured and not playing
|
|
Enlightening.... 
