“SAFIULLIN COULD PLAY AT THIS LEVEL FOR A LONG TIME”
What are your impressions of Wimbledon this year? Who was the tournament opener for you?
– Most of all, of course, I was surprised by Roman Safiullin, who went to the fourth round. This, one could say, is his debut, but he performed well and beat eminent tennis players. This is a discovery. Although we had known him for several years, he was treading water. Now there was an unexpectedly brilliant performance.
I think it will give him confidence and he will play at a higher level. Probably, in the future, he will even be able to fit into our main team. So far, we know of only three constantly playing tennis players: Daniil Medvedev, Andrei Rublev and Aslan Karatsev. But it seems that Safiullin applied to become one of them.
Of course, Mirra Andreeva surprised me. Beat very strong tennis players. She plays very freely, cheekily, lively, in the good sense of the word. She has good and normal speed and crash. He does everything very competently, at a high level.
– In your opinion, the breakthrough of Safiullin is not a one-time story?
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– The fact is that he could potentially play at this level for a long time, he had something to play with. But in tennis, self-confidence, the ability to play decisive balls, is very important, because sometimes only two or three balls can decide the fate of the whole match. He believed in himself, he plays with more calm, confidence and responsibility. God forbid it continues to go through the grate.
He is 25 years old, he is no longer a beginner, his ability is already ripe for this. Need to break through. When tennis players do this, they become true players with a name. As of now, he has no name. If he continues like this, in the future he may well play and join ours, which have already taken place.
– What is the distinctive style of your game? What do you remember about him?
– Possesses, as expected, all the basic techniques. The fact is that, perhaps, before he lacked confidence and luck. Many tennis players are competitive, there is a good international level, powerful shots both from the right and from the left. We need to play faster, brighter, stronger, pick up the pace. So far, Safiullin has succeeded, because the grass is specific. It is also very difficult for Medvedev to play him.
“NOT EVEN SHARAPOVA WAS A WORLD LEADER”
– In world tennis, the star of Mirra Andreeva lit up, at the age of 16 she reached the fourth round. At what point did something go wrong in the game with the American?
– With each turn, Mirra became more and more difficult, more experienced and stronger players were selected. The same American did not accidentally get into the fourth round. He has victories behind him and he is in very good shape, a player of a high level. But here someone is already lucky, and who will be able to prove himself. Andreeva lacks gaming experience. She has very well placed shots, she is not inferior to her opponents, but in terms of tactics, game variety and nuances, she still needs to gain experience and skill. A debut cannot be absolutely successful.
She is constantly compared to Sharapova. Do you agree with this?
– Regarding victories and rapid promotion, yes, there are common traits. But I must say that she needs to spend time to say exactly how much she will test herself and whether she will be able to reach that level. Until now, the first racket among women is Iga Sviontek. She is now the leader, but I think temporarily. In fact, there are no draft leaders like Serena Williams right now. Even Sharapova, although she was a great tennis player, she was not a world leader, she lacked skill. Everything is relative.
“MEDVEDEV LACKS SPEED AND RHYTHM”
Which of our boys has the best chance of reaching the semifinals and why?
– It’s very difficult to say. The opponents are now very worthy, equal in class and strength. Much also depends on luck. The ball that touches the wire can roll to the opponent’s side or stay on your side, and can decide the fate of the match. The forces are almost equal. Whoever shows more confidence, who has enough victorious attitude, will win.
– Medvedev in a match with Jiri Lechka won, one might say, an early victory. Wouldn’t such an easy walk alter his mood?
– I do not think it does. Before that, Medvedev played very good matches, there was good preparation. Not a big deal, no itch no goodness. Perhaps it would be better for him to prepare for the next meeting.
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– Will it be easier for Medvedev to play Christopher Eubanks in the quarterfinals, since everyone expected another matchup with Tsitsipas?
– Hard to say. On grass every game is very unpredictable. This is fast-paced, fast-paced and dynamic tennis. At this level, everyone is already playing strong, the opponents are equal. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
– It is traditionally difficult for Medvedev to show himself on grass. What do you think of the results of this tournament?
– For Medvedev, the grass is not really a very simple surface. Even now I worry about how he will continue to move around the grid and play. According to the rating, of course, he is at his best, he can generally win. Medvedev lacks a little speed and rhythm, he plays more from active defense, and here you have to take the initiative into your own hands and attack.
Daniil is a well-tuned and reliable player even on grass. He is, in fact, the leader in almost every game and he feels the responsibility of winning. This is both an advantage, because he believes in himself, and a disadvantage, because there may be internal psychological pressure.
“DO NOT JUDGE VINUS”
– Venus Williams, 43, reappeared for this tournament. Makes sense?
– True athletes live while enjoying their work and the process of playing, competing, participating, to which they are accustomed and for which they have been training for many years. I don’t want to just leave. This is a personal matter of each one. In this case, you cannot be blamed for it. On the contrary, it is commendable. Let him play while he plays.
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– This year there were many scandals due to poor organization. Can it be said that one of the oldest tennis tournaments has fallen and lost its level? Or is a low level of organization becoming some kind of trend?
— No, I think that Wimbledon has a good level in terms of organization, despite some setbacks. Another thing is when the British do their usual unjustified and unacceptable things – they do not let the Russians into the tournament, interfering with politics. This year they corrected, they took into account the error. A year ago, the entire tennis community was outraged and protested.
