Post by Annie on Jun 13, 2005 19:43:53 GMT 3
Interview Sport24.com, November 21st 2002 :
Marat, how do you approach this final?
I want to finish the year as soon as possible because the year has been long and difficult for me. I’m a little bit tired of tennis and all those weeks spent on the ATP tournaments. Of course it’s my job. But also it’s the end of the year, and I’m allowed to get holidays just like any normal person.
Kafelnikov said he was very proud of your behavior for Davis Cup. It this event as important for you as it is for him?
Of course. It’s important for all of us. Russia only played 2 finals. Before, we didn’t have great players, but now we are 2 top 10 players in the team. We also both won Grand Slams. There is a great opportunity to catch. Even if we play abroad, we have a great chance of winning because Yevgeny is experienced for this kind of event, where there is a lot of pressure. It is a nice gift for him and for me. And if Yevgeny wants to retire after the final, he’ll be able to do it. It will be a great way of ending.
What do you think about the choice of clay made by the French?
I don’t really understand why they chose clay. I think they did it to annoy us. But clay is not good for them either. They don’t have any specialists of this surface. Grosjean ans Clément can play well, but so do we, so&ldots;
Do you think that having played the Masters Series in Bercy a few weeks before the final will be an advantage for you?
No, everybody knows it will be different. Surface will be different, public will be different. Everybody will support the French team. But having played in Bercy can be useful. I was able to get information on the court, its dimensions, the crowd behavior. Now, on clay, it’s a different story.
The public won’t be with you.
This is normal. In Russia, everybody is with me. In France, they are all against me. That’s life. Moreover, you can’t compare it when it’s DC.For Davis Cup, tennis is a real team sport. That’s why we’ll have to be ready physically and mentally. Because if you’re tired in your head, at least the physical conditions would help you and you’ll be able to save the match with your legs. Most of the time in this case, head follows the legs. Clay, at the end of the year, when everybody is tired : you have to be strong!
Where were you when Russia lost the 2 finals in 1994 and 1995?
I was training in Spain. Of course I was really disappointed that we lost at home against Sweden and the US, especially on clay. We shouldn’t have lost against the Americans on this surface. But that’s life. We have a 3rd chance, and even if it’s going to be difficult, I’m confident.
translated by Violaine
Marat, how do you approach this final?
I want to finish the year as soon as possible because the year has been long and difficult for me. I’m a little bit tired of tennis and all those weeks spent on the ATP tournaments. Of course it’s my job. But also it’s the end of the year, and I’m allowed to get holidays just like any normal person.
Kafelnikov said he was very proud of your behavior for Davis Cup. It this event as important for you as it is for him?
Of course. It’s important for all of us. Russia only played 2 finals. Before, we didn’t have great players, but now we are 2 top 10 players in the team. We also both won Grand Slams. There is a great opportunity to catch. Even if we play abroad, we have a great chance of winning because Yevgeny is experienced for this kind of event, where there is a lot of pressure. It is a nice gift for him and for me. And if Yevgeny wants to retire after the final, he’ll be able to do it. It will be a great way of ending.
What do you think about the choice of clay made by the French?
I don’t really understand why they chose clay. I think they did it to annoy us. But clay is not good for them either. They don’t have any specialists of this surface. Grosjean ans Clément can play well, but so do we, so&ldots;
Do you think that having played the Masters Series in Bercy a few weeks before the final will be an advantage for you?
No, everybody knows it will be different. Surface will be different, public will be different. Everybody will support the French team. But having played in Bercy can be useful. I was able to get information on the court, its dimensions, the crowd behavior. Now, on clay, it’s a different story.
The public won’t be with you.
This is normal. In Russia, everybody is with me. In France, they are all against me. That’s life. Moreover, you can’t compare it when it’s DC.For Davis Cup, tennis is a real team sport. That’s why we’ll have to be ready physically and mentally. Because if you’re tired in your head, at least the physical conditions would help you and you’ll be able to save the match with your legs. Most of the time in this case, head follows the legs. Clay, at the end of the year, when everybody is tired : you have to be strong!
Where were you when Russia lost the 2 finals in 1994 and 1995?
I was training in Spain. Of course I was really disappointed that we lost at home against Sweden and the US, especially on clay. We shouldn’t have lost against the Americans on this surface. But that’s life. We have a 3rd chance, and even if it’s going to be difficult, I’m confident.
translated by Violaine
