Bright tennis weekend. "Lions" became champions of "North Palmyra Trophies"
From November 29 to December 1, 2024, the KSK "Arena" hosted its 19th international tennis tournament. It has become a place of attraction for true connoisseurs of art on the court. The International team tennis tournament “North Palmyra Trophies” was held for the third time in a row. As before, this is the only competition in Russia that not only has international status but also brings a bright line-up of participants – the elite of world sports.
SOLD-OUT
St. Petersburg was missing tennis. All three days there is nowhere for an apple to fall. It was a pleasure to watch inspired sport fans who responded to the innovative format proposed by the organizers, many children – future tennis players – were ready to participate in all the activities in the arena. Over the three days of competition the tournament was attended by more than 15,000 spectators!
So, according to the behests of Alexander Medvedev, Chairman of the Board of FC "Zenit" JSC, Advisor to the General Director of "Gazprom Export" LLC, General Director of the "North Palmyra Trophies", who at a press conference in TASS before the start of the tournament invited everyone to tennis and I set a serious KPI for attendance, and everything came to fruition.
A FORMAT THAT CHALLENGES THE TENNIS CLASSICS
The organizers of tennis tournaments in St. Petersburg are known for their unique approach and vision of sporting events. For almost 10 years now, they have always surprised their audience by putting together a rich program for the audience, putting on shows on the court that no one had attempted before. Every time the tennis community anticipates, what will happen next?
And at the "North Palmyra Trophies" 2024, the organizing company Formula TX decided to take a brave step – change the rules and encroach on the (holy of holies) tennis traditions. A sport that had never been fixed in time was suddenly taken and limited, and the top tennis players in the world were invited not only to unite in teams, but also to fight against time. TV crews rejoiced, and athletes and judges accepted this challenge, fans and journalists often glanced at the scoreboard with numbers outlandish for tennis. 116-111 final score of the match on the scoreboard in favor of “Lions”! “Intensive” is the main word of this tournament, which could be heard more often than others from athletes. The new format was spectacular, it forced them to give 100% and think through tactics.
"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", – the champions’ captain Mikhail Youzhny said.
“LIONS” – TWO-TIME CHAMPIONS OF “NORTH PALMYRA TROPHIES”
For two days, the international teams “Lions” and “Sphinxes” were neck and neck, alternately taking the lead. Before the decisive competition day, the lead was only one point. But confident singles matches from Anastasia Potapova (against Diana Schneider) and Karen Khachanov (against Alexander Bublik) allowed the "Lions" to take a comfortable lead that could only be reduced by a miracle.
But to say that “a miracle did not happen” would be wrong, because the guests of the tournament witnessed exciting fights, each of which was like an hour-long performance with short intermissions, were able to touch the tennis backstage and communicate with their idols. Every participant in the competition felt this incredible love and support. Karen Khachanov, Anastasia Potapova and Viktoriya Tomova managed to defend the title as a part of team "Lions".
"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!", – ATP #19 in singles ranking Karen Khachanov shared.
"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", – Roberto Bautista Agut shared his impressions on the tournament.
WORLD OF KIDS TENNIS
More than 200 children from different cities of Russia took part in master classes over three days of competition. Their mentors were world tennis stars, and the venue was a large, cozy professional arena. From the usual – support from parents and coaches.
The Serbian Dusan Lajovic and Alexander Bublik were among those who noted the significance and sincerity of these children's events, but the absolute favorite of young hearts was the kind-hearted Iranian-French showman Mansour Bahrami with his philosophy of life and attitude towards tennis. This “man behind the mustache” inspired everyone he met.
ELENA VESNINA BIDS FAREWELL TO TOUR
The Olympic champion of Rio de Janeiro, three-time winner of Grand Slam trophies, and former world number one in doubles Elena Vesnina bid farewell to the tour in St. Petersburg. Her family was nearby, touching video congratulations from tennis friends flew in from all over the world, and the stadium of many thousands in the Northern capital embraced its champion with a farewell ovation. As Elena admitted, she is happy, and although she retired from her career, Vesnina remains in tennis. There is a lot of work ahead to create an academy in Sochi and, finally, spend more time for the family.
LAKHTA, HERMITAGE AND PLAYERS PARTY
A unique event this year was the conquest of a height of 365 meters by tennis. The tournament participants, as honored guests, were among the first to go on an excursion to the Lakhta Center and climb to the highest observation deck in Europe. Mikhail Youzhny adapted it for a tennis court, and Diana Shnaider took memorable photographs with her Olympic silver medal won in Paris.
"I was surprised that such a building exists in Russia; I didn’t know about it. I really enjoyed the tour, and I want to thank you for this opportunity", – Anastasia Potapova spoke enthusiastically about her visit to the Lakhta Center.
The Serb Dusan Lajovic and Roberto Bautista Agut are delighted with the Hermitage. And if the first one goes there deliberately for the second year in a row in order to discover more and more labyrinths of this treasury of world art, Agut visited there for the first time: "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", – said the spaniard.
SOLD-OUT
St. Petersburg was missing tennis. All three days there is nowhere for an apple to fall. It was a pleasure to watch inspired sport fans who responded to the innovative format proposed by the organizers, many children – future tennis players – were ready to participate in all the activities in the arena. Over the three days of competition the tournament was attended by more than 15,000 spectators!
So, according to the behests of Alexander Medvedev, Chairman of the Board of FC "Zenit" JSC, Advisor to the General Director of "Gazprom Export" LLC, General Director of the "North Palmyra Trophies", who at a press conference in TASS before the start of the tournament invited everyone to tennis and I set a serious KPI for attendance, and everything came to fruition.
A FORMAT THAT CHALLENGES THE TENNIS CLASSICS
The organizers of tennis tournaments in St. Petersburg are known for their unique approach and vision of sporting events. For almost 10 years now, they have always surprised their audience by putting together a rich program for the audience, putting on shows on the court that no one had attempted before. Every time the tennis community anticipates, what will happen next?
And at the "North Palmyra Trophies" 2024, the organizing company Formula TX decided to take a brave step – change the rules and encroach on the (holy of holies) tennis traditions. A sport that had never been fixed in time was suddenly taken and limited, and the top tennis players in the world were invited not only to unite in teams, but also to fight against time. TV crews rejoiced, and athletes and judges accepted this challenge, fans and journalists often glanced at the scoreboard with numbers outlandish for tennis. 116-111 final score of the match on the scoreboard in favor of “Lions”! “Intensive” is the main word of this tournament, which could be heard more often than others from athletes. The new format was spectacular, it forced them to give 100% and think through tactics.
"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", – the champions’ captain Mikhail Youzhny said.
“LIONS” – TWO-TIME CHAMPIONS OF “NORTH PALMYRA TROPHIES”
For two days, the international teams “Lions” and “Sphinxes” were neck and neck, alternately taking the lead. Before the decisive competition day, the lead was only one point. But confident singles matches from Anastasia Potapova (against Diana Schneider) and Karen Khachanov (against Alexander Bublik) allowed the "Lions" to take a comfortable lead that could only be reduced by a miracle.
But to say that “a miracle did not happen” would be wrong, because the guests of the tournament witnessed exciting fights, each of which was like an hour-long performance with short intermissions, were able to touch the tennis backstage and communicate with their idols. Every participant in the competition felt this incredible love and support. Karen Khachanov, Anastasia Potapova and Viktoriya Tomova managed to defend the title as a part of team "Lions".
"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!", – ATP #19 in singles ranking Karen Khachanov shared.
"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", – Roberto Bautista Agut shared his impressions on the tournament.
WORLD OF KIDS TENNIS
More than 200 children from different cities of Russia took part in master classes over three days of competition. Their mentors were world tennis stars, and the venue was a large, cozy professional arena. From the usual – support from parents and coaches.
The Serbian Dusan Lajovic and Alexander Bublik were among those who noted the significance and sincerity of these children's events, but the absolute favorite of young hearts was the kind-hearted Iranian-French showman Mansour Bahrami with his philosophy of life and attitude towards tennis. This “man behind the mustache” inspired everyone he met.
ELENA VESNINA BIDS FAREWELL TO TOUR
The Olympic champion of Rio de Janeiro, three-time winner of Grand Slam trophies, and former world number one in doubles Elena Vesnina bid farewell to the tour in St. Petersburg. Her family was nearby, touching video congratulations from tennis friends flew in from all over the world, and the stadium of many thousands in the Northern capital embraced its champion with a farewell ovation. As Elena admitted, she is happy, and although she retired from her career, Vesnina remains in tennis. There is a lot of work ahead to create an academy in Sochi and, finally, spend more time for the family.
LAKHTA, HERMITAGE AND PLAYERS PARTY
A unique event this year was the conquest of a height of 365 meters by tennis. The tournament participants, as honored guests, were among the first to go on an excursion to the Lakhta Center and climb to the highest observation deck in Europe. Mikhail Youzhny adapted it for a tennis court, and Diana Shnaider took memorable photographs with her Olympic silver medal won in Paris.
"I was surprised that such a building exists in Russia; I didn’t know about it. I really enjoyed the tour, and I want to thank you for this opportunity", – Anastasia Potapova spoke enthusiastically about her visit to the Lakhta Center.
The Serb Dusan Lajovic and Roberto Bautista Agut are delighted with the Hermitage. And if the first one goes there deliberately for the second year in a row in order to discover more and more labyrinths of this treasury of world art, Agut visited there for the first time: "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", – said the spaniard.
