TV Interview

[Annie]

Marat TV Interview - Australia 2005
Transcript by Bmen

Today on tv (16th January 2005) there cropped up an unexpected interview with marat (brief as it was) which by fluke i taped. anyway i thought id provide you guys with a transcript of that wonderful moment in television history!
this interview was conducted by Jim Courier and Bruce McAvaney - a very casual affair...

so here goes (apologies in advance for any spelling errors)

first let me set the scene for you guys...marat wearing adidas shirt and trackies (for those who arent australian that would be sweat pants...hehe) shakes Jim's hand (comments 'you don't have to stand for me'), shakes Bruce's hand and addresses the audience 'enjoying your meal...especially when it's free' - laughter all round)

Bruce: Mate, you beat up on the americans last year didn't you?, i think you beat 6 americans on your way to the final

Marat: counting him (indicating Jim haha)

Bruce: but it was some tournament for you wasn't it?

Marat: that was great, a great start of the year, i been injured for a long time and for me to come back and being on top of tennis was great, was great effort and in was a great tournament here

Bruce: i thought two of your matches, were as good as any matches we saw, Agassi at the semis and Roddick at the quarters, it was just breathtaking

Marat: im impressed myself also, i was really proud that i could play this kind of game after so long time being injured, so i'm pretty happy

Jim: how about this year, last year you came here and played so well how do you feel like your game is, you talked about being in Spain a little bit, getting back to your roots in the off-season, how are you feeling now?

Marat: now goo, because you have to make good preparation, you have to be fit, you have to be really in the best level b/c the competition is getting stronger and stronger, we have federer, hewitt, roddick. So we have to be really good prepared b/c the long season, great players. We have to be ready and in shape to fight with them

Bruce: Marat are you a big deal back at home? I mean lleyton is such a star here and roger around the world, i know you arrived late at the Hopman Cup, i think there was a presentation back home for you, wasn't there?

Marat: Yeah, ah, actually there was a evening with the mayor b/c he is giving alot of money for tennis, to promote tennis in Russia and to help bring young kids to tennis and it was my duty to be there and to try to squeeze as much money as i can

Bruce: how did you go, did you squeeze pretty well?

Marat: yes, i didn't cut my part (), but it was good

Jim: now marat your almost 25 right?

Marat: almost (indicating with his hands that there still is a bit left in 24)

Jim: Almost, now that's young, everyone thinks 25 is young generally, but you say your feeling a little old, there's one thing you said that struck me 'im not young anymore...(sound probs - didnt catch the rest) wats that about?

Marat: but thats private (refering to a private conversation they had)

Jim: private conversation, you'll soon find out there's no such thing with me my friend

Marat: no but you can say just 24 or already 25, it depends how you look - glass half empty of already full

Jim: and which way are you looking?

Marat: Just 25, enough

Jim: what about you've got more experience now, but is that helping you? your wokring with peter lungren, federer's old coach

Marat: yes, of course we are getting older, you get more experience, im on the tour for 6 years, so you learn every time, you know how it was with you, when you were young starting out?, your not scared of anything

Jim: i cant remeber

Marat: it was a long time ago? (laught all round)

Jim: too long

Marat: yeah, but there kind of things when you are young, your not really scared of anything - you have nothing to loose, you play a great match people say great job or bad luck. But now you are starting to be more responsible of what your doing on the court and the way you play, you start to understand and really care and see how the game is going. You know if you play long match you know what to do in each moment of the match

Jim: we've seen you from the beginning as one of the most talented players on tour, with the most potential when you were young, how do you feel like you are in your career right now as to where yo thought you would be when you started out on tour, are you happy, do you feel that there is more you can do?

Marat: Im not the most talented because Roger i think is too far from all of us

Jim: but your better looking

Marat: atleast i have something (pretty funny!!)

Bruce: There were 3 Goran's when he won Wimbledon, 3 Goran's are ther more...

Marat: (interrupts) split personalities?

Bruce:...yeah, are there more that one Marat?

Marat: well every person has more that one...(struggles to find the words)

Bruce: you seem to be less consistent than you'd want to be - is that a fair point?

Marat: that's why im working, i'm looking forward to improve like he said (indicating Jim) im starting wokring with Peter Lungren, he's been the coach of Marcello Rios (spelling??), we have to remember he was a great player, everybody knows of course, the most talented player in the world and Roger federer the most - he went even further than that and he knwos how to deal with the pressure how to work with the guys so he can improve the mental part oof it and he's really good at iT