- You finished the season strong, and made it to the top 20. Do you regret that it’s already over and now you have to prepare for the new season?

- Of course, when you’re in such good form, you think you could have played a few more tournaments. I could have played more, but I got injured after Paris and took three weeks off, not training. But in reality, I couldn’t have continued playing even if there had been more tournaments.

- Yesterday, during Elena Vesnina's farewell, you spoke very warmly about her. Is there an active tennis player now with whom you’d like to play mixed doubles?

- I wanted to play with Elena Vesnina and with Svetlana Kuznetsova. Svetlana hasn’t officially retired yet. She keeps avoiding the question, but I’ll keep pressuring her.

- In your post-match interview, you mentioned that there are significantly more spectators at the tournament this year. How do you feel about the atmosphere this year and, overall, the tournament's organization?

- It’s amazing! The tournament has introduced a new format. It’s progressing and thriving every year. There aren’t many tournaments in Russia, and an event like this attracts a lot of spectators to cheer and watch. That’s very cool and gratifying. I hope to see even more people every year.

- You’ve already faced Thanasi Kokkinakis on the tour. You won both times. This time, with the new format and a familiar opponent, what are your impressions of the match?

- It’s an unofficial match, so it doesn’t count. Plus, I’ve only been training for five days. Considering I’ve just returned from a break and had only five days of training, the match was quite good and entertaining. The most important thing is that the spectators were happy, that’s why we’re here.

- Was there any strategy for the match?

- Of course there was, it wasn’t just hit and run. We know each other's strengths and weaknesses. We played some points more beautifully, and others more seriously. Everything was pretty natural.

- Thanasi Kokkinakis said before your pre-match conference that you and Alexander Bublik recommended some places in St. Petersburg for him to visit. Can you reveal the secret of what you suggested to him?

- I told him to visit a Russian ‘banya’ (steambath)! I don’t know if he’ll agree or not, but I don’t think he understands what awaits him if he goes. With the sauna whisks and all the proper rules.

- Will you join him for the visit with Alexander Bublik?

- I’m planning to fly out tomorrow evening. If it had happened earlier, I would definitely have gone with him. If we finish earlier, maybe we’ll go together.

- Compared to official tour matches, do you play more relaxed at these tournaments? Is it important to play seriously, or play for the audience? How do you find that balance?

- If you compare it to official tournaments, where you go out fully focused on each match, there’s more pressure and more nervousness. Here, the format is intense, but it’s different. You’re still playing for the team, wanting to contribute to the overall result. Today when I played, I kept hearing from all corners: «Come on, ace!» It felt like I was playing a Grand Slam final. But all of that motivated me and made me focus even more at certain moments. At the same time, I tried to find moments where I could play for the crowd. Not so much in a relaxed way, but doing some tricks.

- Are you practicing the underhand serve?

- Honestly, no. I only use the underhand serve here in St. Petersburg. I did it last year and this year.