Diana Shnaider: "I really liked the Lakhta Center. I love going up high and looking at the city from above. We were the pioneers"
- In today’s match, did you get revenge on Viktoriya for last year’s defeat?
- I’ve already been reminded about that. I’ve improved my game over the past year. I’m very happy that I was able to win.
- With the new format, did you have any specific tactics for playing such intense sets and managing your energy?
- You can definitely feel the difference; the game is very intense. My body feels as if I’ve played three full sets. Everything happens so quickly and without breaks. Physically, it’s even harder to play than regular matches.
- Yesterday, you went on a unique tour of the Lakhta Center and took your Olympic silver medal to the top. Could you share your impressions of the trip? And do you take your medal everywhere, perhaps as a good luck charm?
- I don’t take my medal everywhere; it mostly stays at home in a special box. I try to take good care of it — after all, you never know what might happen. Plus, it’s very heavy and adds extra weight to my bag. I really liked the Lakhta Center. It was amazing to be somewhat of a pioneer and explore everything. I love going up high and looking at the city from above. I found it very interesting and enjoyed it all.
- Do you have a special place in your house where all your trophies are displayed? Does your mom show off your Olympic medal if guests come over?
- I have a separate shelf in my room with all my trophies. My dad has already built additional shelves for the other trophies, but even those are running out of space. Soon, we’ll need to find more room to build new shelves.
- Last year, you didn’t receive as much attention. Would you say that the North Palmyra Trophies tournament became a kind of springboard for the most successful season of your career?
- Every tournament contributed something to where I am now, with a higher ranking, a different perspective, and new pressures. You could say that the tournament in St. Petersburg was a kind of starting point and gave me a bonus. Last year’s tournament was my first exhibition event.
- You’ve already left the U.S. Have you decided where you’ll live and prepare for tournaments? And have you planned your doubles schedule for the upcoming season with Mirra Andreeva?
- I never lived in the U.S.; I studied there for a year. I consider Moscow my home because my family is there. Whenever possible, I always try to return home to be with my family. I haven’t thought about where I’ll base myself yet because this year, I played many tournaments and had little time to train anywhere. If I had time, I went home. If not, I immediately left for the next tournament. Regarding doubles next year, Mirra and I have agreed to play together throughout the season in all Grand Slams and Masters tournaments.
- We noticed how focused you were before the game. It seemed like you were more focused on winning than putting on a show. Does your mindset change from tournament to tournament? Is your main goal always to win?
- I think it comes with experience, including the ability to perform certain shots for the sake of the show, which I wouldn’t normally use. My main goal is to win. Maybe in the future, I’ll learn to mix it up and perform some special shots to entertain the crowd. But for now, my primary task is to help my team and try to close the gap, even just a little.
- Yesterday, Alexander Bublik mentioned that he enjoys this tournament more than the regular tour because of the atmosphere. Everyone interacts in the locker room. What can you say about the atmosphere in the stadium and within the team?
- The atmosphere here is different. I really enjoy playing in front of our home crowd because the support from our audience and from spectators abroad is very different. The atmosphere also feels different because this is a team tournament, and we don’t have those on tour. I love playing all team tournaments, whether for the national team or as a junior. The interaction brings people closer, and I really enjoy it.
- You mentioned wanting to get a dog and that you consulted with Anastasia Potapova about traveling with a pet. What’s your decision?
- I wouldn’t say it was my dream; it was more Mirra Andreeva’s dream. I did think about getting a dog, but later I realized that having a dog requires a lot of care and time, which I just don’t have right now. When you get a pet, you have to look after it yourself, not have someone else do it. Maybe after I finish my career, I’ll get a dog.
- This season, you’ve played in many tournaments, and many WTA players complain about the overly packed schedule. What’s your opinion on this?
- The calendar is busy, and there are many mandatory tournaments that we’re required to play. My perspective is the following: if I feel good, have no health issues, and I’m playing well with everything going the way I think it should, then it doesn’t bother me. I try to bring my family along so I can see them more often. My only issue is that I don’t spend enough time with my family. I love what I do; I love traveling, playing in tournaments, and discovering new countries. Maybe my opinion will change in a few years, but at this stage, I’m happy with everything and satisfied.
- I’ve already been reminded about that. I’ve improved my game over the past year. I’m very happy that I was able to win.
- With the new format, did you have any specific tactics for playing such intense sets and managing your energy?
- You can definitely feel the difference; the game is very intense. My body feels as if I’ve played three full sets. Everything happens so quickly and without breaks. Physically, it’s even harder to play than regular matches.
- Yesterday, you went on a unique tour of the Lakhta Center and took your Olympic silver medal to the top. Could you share your impressions of the trip? And do you take your medal everywhere, perhaps as a good luck charm?
- I don’t take my medal everywhere; it mostly stays at home in a special box. I try to take good care of it — after all, you never know what might happen. Plus, it’s very heavy and adds extra weight to my bag. I really liked the Lakhta Center. It was amazing to be somewhat of a pioneer and explore everything. I love going up high and looking at the city from above. I found it very interesting and enjoyed it all.
- Do you have a special place in your house where all your trophies are displayed? Does your mom show off your Olympic medal if guests come over?
- I have a separate shelf in my room with all my trophies. My dad has already built additional shelves for the other trophies, but even those are running out of space. Soon, we’ll need to find more room to build new shelves.
- Last year, you didn’t receive as much attention. Would you say that the North Palmyra Trophies tournament became a kind of springboard for the most successful season of your career?
- Every tournament contributed something to where I am now, with a higher ranking, a different perspective, and new pressures. You could say that the tournament in St. Petersburg was a kind of starting point and gave me a bonus. Last year’s tournament was my first exhibition event.
- You’ve already left the U.S. Have you decided where you’ll live and prepare for tournaments? And have you planned your doubles schedule for the upcoming season with Mirra Andreeva?
- I never lived in the U.S.; I studied there for a year. I consider Moscow my home because my family is there. Whenever possible, I always try to return home to be with my family. I haven’t thought about where I’ll base myself yet because this year, I played many tournaments and had little time to train anywhere. If I had time, I went home. If not, I immediately left for the next tournament. Regarding doubles next year, Mirra and I have agreed to play together throughout the season in all Grand Slams and Masters tournaments.
- We noticed how focused you were before the game. It seemed like you were more focused on winning than putting on a show. Does your mindset change from tournament to tournament? Is your main goal always to win?
- I think it comes with experience, including the ability to perform certain shots for the sake of the show, which I wouldn’t normally use. My main goal is to win. Maybe in the future, I’ll learn to mix it up and perform some special shots to entertain the crowd. But for now, my primary task is to help my team and try to close the gap, even just a little.
- Yesterday, Alexander Bublik mentioned that he enjoys this tournament more than the regular tour because of the atmosphere. Everyone interacts in the locker room. What can you say about the atmosphere in the stadium and within the team?
- The atmosphere here is different. I really enjoy playing in front of our home crowd because the support from our audience and from spectators abroad is very different. The atmosphere also feels different because this is a team tournament, and we don’t have those on tour. I love playing all team tournaments, whether for the national team or as a junior. The interaction brings people closer, and I really enjoy it.
- You mentioned wanting to get a dog and that you consulted with Anastasia Potapova about traveling with a pet. What’s your decision?
- I wouldn’t say it was my dream; it was more Mirra Andreeva’s dream. I did think about getting a dog, but later I realized that having a dog requires a lot of care and time, which I just don’t have right now. When you get a pet, you have to look after it yourself, not have someone else do it. Maybe after I finish my career, I’ll get a dog.
- This season, you’ve played in many tournaments, and many WTA players complain about the overly packed schedule. What’s your opinion on this?
- The calendar is busy, and there are many mandatory tournaments that we’re required to play. My perspective is the following: if I feel good, have no health issues, and I’m playing well with everything going the way I think it should, then it doesn’t bother me. I try to bring my family along so I can see them more often. My only issue is that I don’t spend enough time with my family. I love what I do; I love traveling, playing in tournaments, and discovering new countries. Maybe my opinion will change in a few years, but at this stage, I’m happy with everything and satisfied.
