Karen Khachanov: "These St. Petersburg weekends were one big highlight!"
- Could you share which moment during the tournament was the most memorable for you?
Karen Khachanov: I think there were so many memorable moments over these three days! Different matches, different rallies, interactions with the crowd — it feels like these St. Petersburg weekends were one big highlight!
Roberto Bautista Agut: I think it’s nice to feel the love of the people, to play in front of the big crowd. I think it’s great for Russia and for St. Petersburg to get high-level tennis. I enjoyed being in my tournament team.
Mikhail Youzhny: My most vivid moment was during the match between Karen [Khachanov] and Sasha [Bublik] when the lights went out, music started playing, and for about two minutes all the fans jumped to their feet — the atmosphere was just incredible!
Dušan Lajović: There were a lot not only on the court but off the court as well. A lot of the kids' clinics. We had a lot of fun this weekend. Being the part of the team and winning at the end was also good so these 3 days were very enjoyable. I was enjoying every moment on the court and off the court.
Viktoriya Tomova: I can’t name one brightest moment of these 3 days. Everything was amazing. Especially watching my team playing that well and learning from that as well. I think it’s also very important. I really enjoyed each time!
- Mikhail, was your appearance on the court today planned, and if so, at what specific moment? How was it to play those games?
M.Y.: It was spontaneous and unexpected for me. I think the organizers came up with the idea at the last minute. Now I always feel happy when I play tennis! That wasn’t always the case before, but now it is. (laughs)
- Was there anything absolutely new for you in this tournament?
K.H.: I’d say the format. It was something completely new — playing in 20-minute sets, the rule about breaks after 10 minutes, and so on. That aspect was new, and everyone had to adjust to it.
R.B.A.: New thing for me…This year I visited the Hermitage Museum. I enjoyed it a lot. It’s great to have this experience. Every time I come here, I’m very focused on playing the ATP tournaments. It was a good weekend.
M.Y.: For me, the new experience was being a team captain. And, of course, the new format. Honestly, we didn’t have enough time to fully adapt to it tactically. Only at the very end did I figure out how to score a few more points and lose a few less. If I get the chance, we’ll try to test this out later. I hadn’t seen some of the guys in a long time, so it was great to catch up! We’re not talking about tactical or game-related moments — it was more about support. It was nice to see high-level tennis up close!
- Question to the players: How did you find Mikhail Youzhny as captain?
D.L.: Everything was great except the game at the players party. He needs to improve his skills there.
M.Y.: I realized my team really needs to work on this aspect. Everyone could use some practice with their acting skills.
K.H.: That’s the task for the next year! (laughs)
- Mikhail, think back to your emotions in 2004 after your victory at the St. Petersburg Open and compare them to your feelings about this victory, where you also played a role. Which was harder: when everything depends solely on you, or when it depends on the team?
M.Y.: I think if in 2044, 20 years from now, I win again, it will be easier to compare!
We’ll hold you to that — we look forward to seeing you at the "North Palmyra Trophies" tournament in 2044. And we hope to see all the fans there too!
Karen Khachanov: I think there were so many memorable moments over these three days! Different matches, different rallies, interactions with the crowd — it feels like these St. Petersburg weekends were one big highlight!
Roberto Bautista Agut: I think it’s nice to feel the love of the people, to play in front of the big crowd. I think it’s great for Russia and for St. Petersburg to get high-level tennis. I enjoyed being in my tournament team.
Mikhail Youzhny: My most vivid moment was during the match between Karen [Khachanov] and Sasha [Bublik] when the lights went out, music started playing, and for about two minutes all the fans jumped to their feet — the atmosphere was just incredible!
Dušan Lajović: There were a lot not only on the court but off the court as well. A lot of the kids' clinics. We had a lot of fun this weekend. Being the part of the team and winning at the end was also good so these 3 days were very enjoyable. I was enjoying every moment on the court and off the court.
Viktoriya Tomova: I can’t name one brightest moment of these 3 days. Everything was amazing. Especially watching my team playing that well and learning from that as well. I think it’s also very important. I really enjoyed each time!
- Mikhail, was your appearance on the court today planned, and if so, at what specific moment? How was it to play those games?
M.Y.: It was spontaneous and unexpected for me. I think the organizers came up with the idea at the last minute. Now I always feel happy when I play tennis! That wasn’t always the case before, but now it is. (laughs)
- Was there anything absolutely new for you in this tournament?
K.H.: I’d say the format. It was something completely new — playing in 20-minute sets, the rule about breaks after 10 minutes, and so on. That aspect was new, and everyone had to adjust to it.
R.B.A.: New thing for me…This year I visited the Hermitage Museum. I enjoyed it a lot. It’s great to have this experience. Every time I come here, I’m very focused on playing the ATP tournaments. It was a good weekend.
M.Y.: For me, the new experience was being a team captain. And, of course, the new format. Honestly, we didn’t have enough time to fully adapt to it tactically. Only at the very end did I figure out how to score a few more points and lose a few less. If I get the chance, we’ll try to test this out later. I hadn’t seen some of the guys in a long time, so it was great to catch up! We’re not talking about tactical or game-related moments — it was more about support. It was nice to see high-level tennis up close!
- Question to the players: How did you find Mikhail Youzhny as captain?
D.L.: Everything was great except the game at the players party. He needs to improve his skills there.
M.Y.: I realized my team really needs to work on this aspect. Everyone could use some practice with their acting skills.
K.H.: That’s the task for the next year! (laughs)
- Mikhail, think back to your emotions in 2004 after your victory at the St. Petersburg Open and compare them to your feelings about this victory, where you also played a role. Which was harder: when everything depends solely on you, or when it depends on the team?
M.Y.: I think if in 2044, 20 years from now, I win again, it will be easier to compare!
We’ll hold you to that — we look forward to seeing you at the "North Palmyra Trophies" tournament in 2044. And we hope to see all the fans there too!
