Zvonareva: to get used to Centre Court
Vera Zvonareva in an interview with "Chempionat.com" talked about the preparations for the Kremlin Cup, WTA tournament final to come , candid photoshoot and shared memories of their childhood years.
October 14, 2011, Friday. 18:46
To the Kremlin Cup finalist 2008, the first number of the current crop drawing Vera Zvonareva this competition will be the main rehearsal before the two biggest tournaments in individual and team standings - the final WTA Championships in Istanbul, and the Fed Cup final Russia - Czech Republic. On the eve of the start of fifth charge racket of the world gave thorough interview "Chempionat.com." - Faith, you have been very busy, long day workout, then another, and the evening. Is it too fast-paced take? - Still After Beijing I had a few days off, then only that the bed cover - so it is now an opportunity to come to court, to be trained. Half of training, when there is a break between tournaments - this is normal. This is not something new - we are all accustomed to it, so do not worry. And closer to the tournament is already possible to reduce the burden will be on one workout, the more will the qualification opportunities to practice on Centre Court will not be - only in the early morning or late at night. So now take this opportunity to complete, is nailed to the courts, to coat. - Central and the first courts to exercise open only on Thursday, and before that you were engaged in the practice court. The big difference between them? - Of course, different feelings. Here, all the same and a lot of space and light - all very different.Even the sound of the ball the other. In the hall the other senses. Of course, the coverage is worse. But the difference is felt due to the fact that it put on a different basis - I do not know where the board or something else. And, of course, the atmosphere of the huge hall is quite different. For her to get used to. At the first court has its own, the central - their own. Need to see everything, everything to adjust. I think I need to get used to more precisely to the central court, still has a good chance that I'll be playing there, so I will try to spend more time on training as a "center." - During your workout, the first court in the stands was bolboev instruction. Do you have any memories of your childhood in this connection there? - (Smiling) Yes. Many times I have been a, shall we say, ball-girl at the Kremlin Cup. Of course, such an instruction was hard. But honestly, the people who carried out instructions have not changed for over 15 years. The same person that I know many, many years.I remember that when I was a little girl sitting on the podium and she also took place this instruction. And it was interesting enough to watch it all on the other side. I am now on the court, and young girls, the boys were waiting when I finish training to get himself on the court practice. - There's quite versed in detail all sorts of unusual situations. In your career bolboya also seems to have been unusual cases. - Honestly, probably had a bunch of all sorts of adventures, so to speak. For example, the case, which I always tell when I had to collect ice Yevgeny Kafelnikov from somewhere. Larisa Savchenko then asked for a napkin. It is now all be put to the courts and before are brought towels, napkins, bananas - in short, everything you might need tennis player. The list is long. And then it was nothing. And I was told not to rough cloth and mild.
Where to look for, where to run - it was not clear. I asked in every restaurant, found, and then I was not allowed back on the court. Saying who you are, that you come from? (Laughs.) In general, there were many such cases. They are probably all now no longer remember. However, I think that every year the experience grows, you can expect more and more different situations. So now all I heard was quite tough, correct, discipline (smiles) . - After a week you'll be the fifth time to play the championship final WTA. What is special about these competitions? How are they different from regular? - Yes, time flies fast. On the one hand, the feeling that recently began to play constantly on the final tournament, on the other hand, as you say, this is the fifth year. This is a rather big number, not everyone can get their careers five times in the final championship. This is a special tournament. There's every game on the line, permanently, from the first round, we have to play with a man of eight strongest. Each contestant is dangerous on its own. In addition, there is the atmosphere a little bit different - very calm and quiet. Even in the players lounge are empty, because each player has his schedule, and we see each other there is practically no - everyone comes to the game, the gym and then goes to the courts. Be part of the final tournament - the special feeling, because you get into the atmosphere increased attention from all sides. Therefore, in this tournament you always want something special to do. - News about what you are guaranteed a ticket to Istanbul for the final championship WTA, caught up with you in Moscow. How did you adopted and what are your expectations for this tournament before? - It was nice that I finally got to eight. I know that is close enough to it, but confidence was not there. And when you find yourself in advance, it is already time to tune in, that there are flying. Becomes a little calmer. But I'm in this situation is not the first time, for me it is not something new. Simply, no matter what, I understand that now, this upcoming week - home and need to adjust to the coming matches, not to run ahead. When running away ahead, hard to keep concentrating on this particular day, and then there is a hard to get the result that you want. We are now trying to adjust so that the best way to prepare for this tournament, at the same time knowing that next week I also have tournaments that do not go through with loads. Correctly calculate them. That is now - the Kremlin Cup, and then everything else. - And yet not flashed you have in mind the idea of withdrawing from the Kremlin Cup, when you know exactly what is go to Istanbul? - you know, it was very much factors why I chose this tournament. When the application was, I felt good, was in good physical condition. Yes, of course, there are always some moments, worried about a mini-injury. But overall it was good. Secondly, last year I missed a tournament, and I love to play with their audiences, with their stands, when you come to support. Still, not so often it happens. The third factor that we have here are going to play Fed Cup final in Istanbul after, so I feel the atmosphere, to come to court, all understand that the best way to prepare for the match against cheshek. The fourth factor - as I stated, then, of course, did not know I'll get to Istanbul or not. So this tournament is always needed. Of course, I understand that, perhaps, the Kremlin Cup - not the most important event for the whole year. Already the ending of the season, and also do not want to get the extra trauma, do not want too tired to Istanbul. Nevertheless, it is these moments that, if they come, then have them we will fight as they become available. Now, suppose something makes no sense. I set up to fight and want to please their fans, their audience. I try to train to come in optimal shape. I feel good, everything is fine. And there have a look. - You've had a few days of rest before preparing the Kremlin Cup. Whether managed to do something useful, and how were the christening of your nephew? - (Laughs) I guess, just one thing that I managed to make useful, it is to baptize his nephew. Everything went very well, I liked it (smiles) . The first such a crucial role in me falling out. I have long doubted, but glad I managed. - Many people can not understand how you combine such seemingly incompatible features: on the one hand such a kind and sympathetic woman, doing charity work, but on the other - were photographed recently in a rather candid photoshoot ... - I think that we, in Russia, some exaggerated response from this photo shoot, such as responding to it is not clear. In fact, this is a very prestigious sports magazine (Sports Illustrated. - Ed.***) , which annually conducts a photo shoot, invite famous athletes from around the world. The purpose of the magazine, perhaps, to show the beauty of athletic body. There really are athletes and athletes, because we train a lot. And at the same time in this photo shoot is no explicit pictures is not there anything that will never show.
*** Incorrect. The editor confuses the ESPN Magazine "Body Issue" shoot with the Sports Illustrated "Swimsuit Edition".
The main thing here - athletic figure athlete. Each athlete is unique in its own way, each sport has its own specifics, and very interesting to watch. All of these shots - it's a special art. In fact, it is very prestigious. Serena Williams - the only tennis player more than me, who took part in this photo shoot. She was on the cover of a couple of years ago. Of course, when this offer came to me, I was not sure, but I was interested in this whole process, approach, how it happens. Yes, maybe I have somewhere a simple shot, but many athletes in some unrealistic positions, which are seen every tiny muscle. I think it's quite a creative process, and it was interesting to see how the photographers are suitable for him. - Place Are you under contract and a copy of all, you may have someone they have promised to donate? -(Laughs) Honestly, while I this in detail I do not know. I only know that there is a magazine to be released calendar. Need to contact my agent, to clarify. - By the way, on a calendar just for your sport, the main one. Great response changes in the schedule of tournaments, the season you have fallen, and Stacey Allaster suggests, for example, women play 5 sets matches at the "Grand Slam". How do you react to this? - Oh, I do not know. Constantly go some innovations, some rearrangement, to be honest, I do not have time to watch. Of course, we always try to participate, as something to express their opinions. I have repeatedly asked about the five-set matches, but I honestly did not hear what was said and as Stacey. Still, it's quite hard. Maybe somewhere in the final play of the five sets - yes, it is possible. But to do full five-set tournaments - it's just unreal. Calendar loaded and so, almost all the matches are played in three sets. And if we of the five, it will be very difficult. Men after five-set matches are not all the time - only on "Grand Slam" and in the Davis Cup. And all the while playing marathon games - it's just unreal. Neither men nor women. I think this idea will be hard to implement. But still play, let's finals tournament "Grand Slam" physically we are ready. Physically, we can do it, but keep in mind that now often semifinal play, say, on Saturday, and the finale - on Sunday. But if you want to spend five-set match, it will immediately be taken into account in a calendar day and make a break.As it does in men. Play two days in a row - it's too hard. We are already very many weeks in a year when we have to play. And so we have a lot of injuries.
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