Huge thanks to Vass
for doing a translation of Marat's press-conference at Kremlin Cup that kuniochi found
Translation of this
www.alltennis.ru/observatory/?p=54#more-54, but ñ ëåãêîé îòñåáÿòèíîé, aka 'slightly creative translation'.
Did you have a chance to see something in moscow during your stay here, or are you planning to see anything? Today your sister Dinara lost her match, did she talk to you afterwards? What are your plans for the near future?Marat: No i couldn't get out anywhere, although i did want to go and see "The Perfume". When i was going to see it they didn't have tickets, and later i flew away. And this time, i don't even have a chance to have dinner with my parents: i'm practicing and training all the time. I want to perform well , because in the last few years i could even reach the final here.
I didn't talk to my sister, she left quickly, wanted to be alone, got resentful with everything and everyone and left to home.
And regarding my plans, everything depends on how i'll play here. Then Madrid, Lyon and Paris. Then most probably i'll return here to start getting ready for the DC with the the guys. We have big plans, a real chance to win, that's why it would be nice to play as much as possible on the surface on which we'd be playing then.
So how's the surface?Marat: Distinct... The colour is letting us down, i do not know who chose it. A bit hard on the eyes, because the ball's colour blends with the surface. And it's a bit too fast, doesn't suit me too well. Although it was made this way especially for me, so that i reach at least some round (laughs). I have to play on it and i didn't have a bad start.
Were you at the concert of Madonna? Any impressions?Marat: I was not going to the concert, i was only buying the tickets. Ended up with no money to buy one for myself. bought it for my sister and for Nastya Myskina.
Moderator: Questions regarding the game please.Marat: Who is interested in the game! (laughs)
You have 3 good players in the DC team...Marat: Why only 3?
Ok, four. (laughs) Do you want to match all the possible matches or are you willing to give the place to someone else?Marat: There's no real question. Anything would suit me. Of course i want to play. To be a part of the team, to bring the victory, a point, to feel myself a champion. To be on the winning team but not to play - it's a differnt feeling. of course there's the silver lining: you can rest, watch some tennis from the side. To scream at the guys that had I actually picked up a racquet I would have beaten anybody.
It all depends on how everyone would play in the last few tournaments. Shamil Anvyarovich {Tarpischev} would then decide everything. So everything i just said doesn't matter, all Shamil Anvyarovich has to do is change his mind.
How do you decide who will play? Does, say, Kolya approach you and say "marat, i want to play".Marat: Kolya would not approach. ( {, aka 'he laughs'})
No... We have a team, we all respect each other, we all really want to win DC. For everyone except Misha it would be a new feeling.
If someone would be better prepared than me, then no problem, i would be ironing shirts for everyone, washing them, handing out towels and beverages. Everything for the victory. LMAOOOOOOO ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Does playing infront of the homecrowd add to the responsibility?Marat: While we're at it, thanks for all the spectators who stayed to support me so late in the evening... Everyone's working tomorrow...
At home it's another feeling: you're playing for yourself, but then again, for crowd as well, who wants to see some russian player in the final.
Do you look ahead at the draw?Marat: It's a bad sign to look ahead in the draw, just like in other sports. In football, in hockey.. To look and think about which team you're going to face in the final is reliable way to make sure that both teams lose. Bracciali almost outplayed Roddick in Wimby. I hope that something will be off in his game and that the umpires/linesmen help me.
Tell us, how's the blogging going?Marat: We're fo... We're being forced to do it (laughs). At least they did that in my case. It's hard to write. You compare yourself to Mitya, when he's our great writer. He already got the first prize, we're fighting for the second. Who's forcing us? The ATP. We're trying to raise the popularity of tennis in Europe, you see. So that more poeple read, visit the site, got interested in players. Promotion.
I got Moscow, i have to write. But I don't write, people write for me while i dictate the text.
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Annie and Annette (middle) ;D
I miss you already 
Sixpack guard 
)