"Sphinxes" Ready for the Start of The North Palmyra Tophies
On November 29, a press conference was held at the KSK Arena with the “Sphinxes” team, which includes Alexander Bublik, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Pedro Martínez, Diana Shnaider, Yulia Putintseva, and Janko Tipsarević. The athletes were supported by Alexander Medvedev, General Director of the North Palmyra Trophies tournament.
- Please tell us, with which feeling are you returning to St. Petersburg for the North Palmyra Trophies tournament?
Yulia Putintseva: I always return to St. Petersburg with great pleasure, it's one of my favorite cities! It always feels very atmospheric and friendly here. I feel warm, as if I’m with my family. A wonderful city, wonderful people, great food, and a fantastic tournament that’s organized at the highest level — it's always a pleasure to participate in it!
Alexander Bublik: St. Petersburg is my hometown; I grew up here. I was born in Gatchina, but my career began and developed in St. Petersburg, so coming back here is a very special feeling for me! When I drive from the airport to my home, I’m always in awe of this city, and I think I’ll admire it for the rest of my life. So, playing in front of my home fans in my hometown always feels like the first time.
Diana Shnaider: I’m very happy to be here for the second year in a row. I really enjoyed it here last time. The tournament last year left me with very warm memories. Unfortunately, we have very few opportunities to play in front of our fans, so it feels warm and pleasant to be here. I hope for the support of the fans and I am looking forward to the upcoming matches to show a good game!
Thanasi Kokkinakis: 2015 was the last time I was here. I don’t remember too much about this incredible city. The people were super nice. I was excited to come here and excited to play in a team event again. Hopefully it’s going to be fun few days.
Pedro Martínez: It’s my third time playing here in St. Petersburg. I had a chance to play an ATP tournament one year and an exhibition tournament another year. I enjoyed my time here. So when I had a chance to come here again, I was really happy about it. Hope we’ll have a good weekend and enjoy our time.
- Do you consider this tournament as the part of the preparation for the new season or not really and you see it more as a fun?
T.K: I don't think it’s quite my preparation yet. My season is still going. I have another event after this but I’m going to enjoy it, play hard. It’s a fun event. I’m not sure what to expect, it's my first time playing in this event. I can worry about my preparations later. This should be a fun event with some friends of mine so I’m looking forward to it.
P.M: I think it is a preparation. I had a couple days off before coming here. So I think it’s my first week when I’m going to start the preparation for the new season. I’ll try to use the matches as the preparation for the next year. Hopefully I can see what I have to improve during the preseason.
Yulia Putintseva: I enjoy playing here, as I’ve already mentioned, but for me, this tournament will be a part of my preparation for the next season. I’ll try out what we worked on during the pre-season training camps, which I started two weeks ago. I hope to show a good level and give the fans maximum enjoyment with my game!
Alexander Bublik: For me, this is definitely the beginning. The first hits with the racket will be here in St. Petersburg, because I’ve just returned from vacation. I had a month off, but I’m starting with two serious matches. I have upcoming singles matches against Karen Khachanov and Roberto Bautista Agut, so we’ll see how everything turns out, but this is definitely the foundation for the next season.
- Janko, can you tell us, have you had a chance to speak with your team yet and discuss the team strategy for the tournament?
Janko Tipsarević: Our team is definitely more inspiring! As for the strategy, to be honest, I don’t know what to expect. It’s a combination: everyone is here to have a great time, but on the other hand, we need to show strong team spirit to present beautiful tennis for all the fans who’ve come from all over Russia to watch us compete.
- Alexander, Elena Vesnina is ending her professional career at the North Palmyra Trophies tournament. Every tennis fan has some memory of Elena's career. Do you have a memory of it?
Alexander Medvedev: I’ve been fortunate not only to watch Elena and her incredible career with Grand Slam wins and the Olympics but also to participate with her in Pro Am tournaments. Elena is different from everyone else with her life optimism and positive attitude. She always radiate positive energy, and I hope that she will continue to keep it in the future.
- Thanasi, can you tell us, in your opinion, how has the city changed over the ten years you’ve been away? Maybe your perception of the city has changed?
T.K.: That’s a good question! Honestly, I don’t remember much. I went for a walk alone, and it was really cold, but that’s about all I can say. I have to rely on the locals! I know Sasha [Alexander Bublik] knows some places, so maybe I should go for a walk with him and see something in St. Petersburg! But the city is wonderful, and the architecture is great. I’m not sure what has changed, but I’ll try to find out.
- Please tell us, with which feeling are you returning to St. Petersburg for the North Palmyra Trophies tournament?
Yulia Putintseva: I always return to St. Petersburg with great pleasure, it's one of my favorite cities! It always feels very atmospheric and friendly here. I feel warm, as if I’m with my family. A wonderful city, wonderful people, great food, and a fantastic tournament that’s organized at the highest level — it's always a pleasure to participate in it!
Alexander Bublik: St. Petersburg is my hometown; I grew up here. I was born in Gatchina, but my career began and developed in St. Petersburg, so coming back here is a very special feeling for me! When I drive from the airport to my home, I’m always in awe of this city, and I think I’ll admire it for the rest of my life. So, playing in front of my home fans in my hometown always feels like the first time.
Diana Shnaider: I’m very happy to be here for the second year in a row. I really enjoyed it here last time. The tournament last year left me with very warm memories. Unfortunately, we have very few opportunities to play in front of our fans, so it feels warm and pleasant to be here. I hope for the support of the fans and I am looking forward to the upcoming matches to show a good game!
Thanasi Kokkinakis: 2015 was the last time I was here. I don’t remember too much about this incredible city. The people were super nice. I was excited to come here and excited to play in a team event again. Hopefully it’s going to be fun few days.
Pedro Martínez: It’s my third time playing here in St. Petersburg. I had a chance to play an ATP tournament one year and an exhibition tournament another year. I enjoyed my time here. So when I had a chance to come here again, I was really happy about it. Hope we’ll have a good weekend and enjoy our time.
- Do you consider this tournament as the part of the preparation for the new season or not really and you see it more as a fun?
T.K: I don't think it’s quite my preparation yet. My season is still going. I have another event after this but I’m going to enjoy it, play hard. It’s a fun event. I’m not sure what to expect, it's my first time playing in this event. I can worry about my preparations later. This should be a fun event with some friends of mine so I’m looking forward to it.
P.M: I think it is a preparation. I had a couple days off before coming here. So I think it’s my first week when I’m going to start the preparation for the new season. I’ll try to use the matches as the preparation for the next year. Hopefully I can see what I have to improve during the preseason.
Yulia Putintseva: I enjoy playing here, as I’ve already mentioned, but for me, this tournament will be a part of my preparation for the next season. I’ll try out what we worked on during the pre-season training camps, which I started two weeks ago. I hope to show a good level and give the fans maximum enjoyment with my game!
Alexander Bublik: For me, this is definitely the beginning. The first hits with the racket will be here in St. Petersburg, because I’ve just returned from vacation. I had a month off, but I’m starting with two serious matches. I have upcoming singles matches against Karen Khachanov and Roberto Bautista Agut, so we’ll see how everything turns out, but this is definitely the foundation for the next season.
- Janko, can you tell us, have you had a chance to speak with your team yet and discuss the team strategy for the tournament?
Janko Tipsarević: Our team is definitely more inspiring! As for the strategy, to be honest, I don’t know what to expect. It’s a combination: everyone is here to have a great time, but on the other hand, we need to show strong team spirit to present beautiful tennis for all the fans who’ve come from all over Russia to watch us compete.
- Alexander, Elena Vesnina is ending her professional career at the North Palmyra Trophies tournament. Every tennis fan has some memory of Elena's career. Do you have a memory of it?
Alexander Medvedev: I’ve been fortunate not only to watch Elena and her incredible career with Grand Slam wins and the Olympics but also to participate with her in Pro Am tournaments. Elena is different from everyone else with her life optimism and positive attitude. She always radiate positive energy, and I hope that she will continue to keep it in the future.
- Thanasi, can you tell us, in your opinion, how has the city changed over the ten years you’ve been away? Maybe your perception of the city has changed?
T.K.: That’s a good question! Honestly, I don’t remember much. I went for a walk alone, and it was really cold, but that’s about all I can say. I have to rely on the locals! I know Sasha [Alexander Bublik] knows some places, so maybe I should go for a walk with him and see something in St. Petersburg! But the city is wonderful, and the architecture is great. I’m not sure what has changed, but I’ll try to find out.
