Andrey Kuznetsov, after a sensational victory over Fernando Verdasco, gave an interview to SE.

Vasily OSIPOV
from New York

A sensation with a plus sign on Thursday was presented by Andrey Kuznetsov. Let me remind you that two months ago at Wimbledon he defeated world No. 7 David Ferrer in five sets in the second round. This time it was the turn of another Spaniard - Fernando Verdasco (No. 37). It took Kuznetsov 3 hours and 12 minutes to beat him with a score of 6:3, 4:6, 4:6, 7:5, 3:6. Now, in the 1/16 finals Andrey's opponent will be the champion of the US Open-2012 Briton Andy Murray.

- With what mood did you go to the duel with Verdasco?

With good. Before the match, my friend predicted that everything would turn out well and I would win in five sets.

- Then let's immediately clarify what she says about the match with Andy Murray?

- (Smiling.) I'll just try to take advantage of my chances. There will be no pressure on me, so I will try to show my best tennis.

- Have you ever played against Murray before?

Never. And I never even sparred with him. So I think I know him better than he knows me. Still, I saw a lot of matches with Andy.

- What can you say about his strengths?

He is an excellent tennis player who has won Grand Slam tournaments. But I am sure that I will have chances, I just have to try to use them. I will try to impose my game on him. Hopefully my attacking style will help me against Andy.

- Before returning to the match with Verdasco, how did you prepare for the US Open?

A week ago I played on the clay, so it was almost impossible to train here. Even in my first fight, I felt that I had not yet fully adapted to this surface. I try to catch up through matches directly at the US Open.

– Due to what managed to win the “seeded” Spaniard?

First of all, due to willpower. Indeed, after losing two sets, many would have dropped their hands. But I did not fall apart and continued to stick to my line. In the end it worked.

- How much did the weather affect the match?

Wind and heat are the same for everyone. It is important to prepare mentally for this.

- When did you feel that you would win today?

Probably after he took the fourth batch. And in the fifth set, I immediately managed to take Verdasco's serve, and he got nervous.

I think this season is the best in my career. I've already managed to get past two rounds at two Grand Slams in a row. This gives confidence. Having won junior Wimbledon five years ago, I thought it would be easy to get into the top 100. But everything was not so rosy. I had to go through difficult periods, and I was able to break into a hundred only two years ago. This season managed to do the same again. I hope this is not the limit, and I will progress further.

- Did your father coach you throughout your career?

Yes, this is my first and only coach. Sometimes we annoy each other, because in addition to training, I see my father almost every day. Therefore, I try to somehow diversify my life.

- How?

Differently. On Tuesday, for example, I looked at the Statue of Liberty and visited the memorial to the victims of September 11, 2001

- What do you do besides tennis?

I am learning to play the guitar. Although I'm still far from a professional.

He started playing tennis at the age of 7 in Tula. Coach - father, Alexander Yuryevich Kuznetsov, graduate of the State Center for Physical and Physical Education (now RGUFKSiT), teacher at RGUFKSiT. In 2001, the family moved to Balashikha, where Alexander Kuznetsov became one of the coaches of SC Balashikha, and Andrei, together with his older brother Alexei, continued training under the guidance of his father. In 2008 he entered the RGUFKSiT.

In adolescence, he had serious problems with the spine; to continue sports career underwent a painful course of manual therapy.

Playing style

Patrick Mouratoglou, founder of the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy, highlights Kuznetsov's flat shots, as well as the ability to conduct individual draws on high level. He also notes a wonderful backhand and the desire to come forward when drawing the ball. The components that need improvement are coordination and physical strength, accuracy of shots, as well as movement around the court.

Awards

In 2009, he became the winner of the national tennis award "Russian Cup" in the "Discovery of the Year" nomination.

Sports career

Performances in junior tournaments

Best of the day

In 2004, at the championship of the Moscow region in the age category under 14, he took 2nd place, team championship Moscow region in the category under 16 won first place in the Balashikha team.

IN singles from February 2006 to July 2009 he took part in 31 ITF junior tournaments. 80 wins, 24 losses. He won tournaments in Tashkent, Sochi (2007), Stockholm, Kastrikyum, Essen (2008), Monastir, and Wimbledon (2009).

IN doubles from June 2006 to April 2009 he took part in 26 tournaments, won 41 matches and suffered 22 losses. Winning tournaments in Hamburg, Kyiv (2007), Stockholm and Cap d'Ail (2008).

He was a member of the junior national team of Russia. Four times, from 2005 to 2008, he was awarded the B. N. Yeltsin scholarship.

Performances at youth tournaments

In July 2010, as part of the Moscow Region team, he won the tennis tournament of the II Russian Youth Spartakiad.

Professional career

The first adult tournament in which Kuznetsov took part was the “futures” in the village of Mosrentgen, Moscow Region, which took place in November 2006. Having received a personal invitation (wild card) to qualify, Andriy went through the first round of the qualifying tournament and lost in the second.

2008

Kuznetsov returned to adult tennis after a year and a half, having played in May 2008 in the qualification of "futures" in Balaguer (Spain). Until July 2009, Andrey competed both in junior competitions and in professional tournaments. Already at his next adult tournament, the Challenger in Saransk (July - August 2008), for which he received a wild card, Kuznetsov reached the quarterfinals. This was followed by performances in "futures" (the best result was the quarterfinals at tournaments in Moscow and Volgograd), and in October Andrei took part in the Kremlin Cup qualification, where he lost in the second round to Mikhail Kukushkin.

In doubles, he took part in the only tournament - "futures" in Sergiev Posad, together with Stanislav Vovk. Having won the first round match, Vovk and Kuznetsov advanced to the quarterfinals.

2009

Having not performed in the most successful way in January and February at the "futures" in Schwieberdingen and Eilat, in March Kuznetsov reached the final of the "futures" category tournament in Cairo. A week later, Andrey won his first senior tennis title, winning with Robert Varga (Hungary) in the doubles "futures" in Suez. The following week, another "futures" took place in Cairo, where Kuznetsov reached the semi-finals.

In June, Andrei won his first singles title in adult tennis, defeating the Italian Matteo Viola in the final of the tournament in Mestre. Following this, Kuznetsov took part in his last junior tournament - Wimbledon, where on July 5 in the final he defeated US representative Jordan Cox. Taking into account the victory in the first round of the "futures" in Modena, Andrey won twelve matches in a row in ITF tournaments in June - July 2009.

After Wimbledon, Kuznetsov decided to retire from junior tournaments and focus on his professional career.

At the end of July Kuznetsov took part in his second Challenger, in Orbetello, for which he received a wild card in singles and doubles. In singles, he lost in the first round, while paired with Federico Gaio (Italy) reached the semi-finals due to the refusal of his opponents in the second round.

Kuznetsov won his second singles title in August at a tournament in Moscow, beating decisive match Jonathan Eysserik, and the third - in early October in Astana, defeating Andrei Kumantsov in the final.

The first performance in the main draw of the ATP tournament for Andrei Kuznetsov was the Kremlin Cup 2009, to which he received a personal invitation from the organizers. He played his first match on October 20 against the 50th racket of the world Fabrice Santoro, who is almost 19 years older than Andrei, and lost with a score of 6-4, 2-6, 2-6.

Andrey also received an invitation to the St. Petersburg Open, which took place from October 25 to November 1, 2009. At this tournament, he won his first victory on the ATP Tour - over world No. 79 Marcel Granollers - 6-74, 7-66, 6-4. In the second round followed by a defeat in two sets from Sergei Stakhovsky.

The final tournament in 2009 for Kuznetsov was the Challenger in Khanty-Mansiysk, where he reached the semi-finals in singles, and in doubles, speaking with Evgeny Kirillov, he lost in the final to the Granollers brothers.

In December, the captain of the Russian team at the Davis Cup, Shamil Tarpishchev, announced that he was going to include Andrey in the team for the 1/8 final match against India.

2010

At the beginning of the year, the Tennis Federation of Kazakhstan received an offer of financial support, subject to the adoption of Kazakh citizenship. However, the intervention of Shamil Tarpishchev, who organized financial support for the young tennis player, which was expressed, in particular, in the allocation of an apartment in Balashikha by the administration of the Moscow Region, closed the issue of changing citizenship.

In early March, Kuznetsov was included in the Russian national team for the Davis Cup for the first time.

In March, a victory was won at the "futures" in Alma-Ata. In the final, Kuznetsov defeated the Austrian Alexander Peyu. In April, at the "futures" in Vercelli, Andrey Kuznetsov and Ilya Belyaev defeated the Argentine pair Aranguren / Fabbri in the final.

In an interview that Shamil Tarpishchev gave after the Roland Garros tournament, he announced the readiness of all the strongest tennis players in Russia to play in the Davis Cup 1/4 final match against Argentina and called Kuznetsov one of the candidates for the team, but Kuznetsov did not get into the final application .

In early June, the organizing committee Wimbledon tournament announced that last year's junior category winner Andrey Kuznetsov would receive a personal invitation to the main draw. Instead of participating in the Wimbledon qualification, Andrey entered the AEgon International ATP Tour grass tournament in Eastbourne, England, where he successfully made it to the main draw. In the first round, he faced another qualifying winner, Japanese Kei Nishikori, who pulled out of the fight, losing 4-6 1-3. In the second round, his opponent, the third seed, the 32nd racket of the world, Gilles Simon, had an unconditional advantage in the first set, but an equal fight ensued in the second, and Kuznetsov celebrated success in the tie-break. An equal game continued in the third set, both opponents took their feeds. The tie-break was more confidently held by Simon, the final score was 6-1 63-7 7-62.

At the Wimbledon tournament Andrey Kuznetsov lost in the first round to the 38th racket of the world Victor Hanescu in a tense five-set duel - 64-7 7-63 6-3 1-6 7-5.

In late June - early July, at the "futures" in Kassel, he reached the final in both singles and doubles. Three weeks later, he reached the SERIE+ challenger final in Poznań in singles and the second round in doubles. The following week, he took part in the Challenger in Saransk, where he reached the semi-finals in both singles and doubles. In August - October, Kuznetsov competed in five Challenger tournaments, but won only one victory in the main draw.

At the Kremlin Cup, Kuznetsov qualified and in the 1/16 final match lost to another qualification winner, Romanian Viktor Krivoy. At the same time, Andrey's first match in the ATP tour in doubles took place. Having received a wild card from the organizers, Andrey Kuznetsov and Teimuraz Gabashvili on October 20 beat Andrey Golubev / Denis Istomin with a score of 6-2 6-3. In the quarterfinals, followed by a defeat in two sets from another pair invited by the organizing committee - Kunitsyn / Tursunov.

At the tournament "St. Petersburg Open" it was not possible to defend last year's points. In the first match, Kuznetsov lost in two sets to compatriot Evgeny Donskoy. As a result, Kuznetsov rolled back from 163rd position, which he held in August, to 208th at the end of the year.

2011

Kuznetsov began the season by participating in the Australian Open qualifying tournament, where he lost in the first round. This was followed by performances on clay courts: in early February at the “futures” in Spanish Murcia, and then in February and March at three Moroccan “challengers”. best result was reaching the quarterfinals in Casablanca in singles and doubles; in the rest of the tournaments, it was not possible to win a single victory in doubles and no more than one in singles.

In early April, Andrey took part in the Grand Prix Hassan II tournament of category 250 (Casablanca), where he first successfully qualified, giving only nine games to his opponents in three matches, and then in the first round match he defeated another qualifying winner, Spaniard Gutierrez-Ferrol. In the second round match, Kuznetsov met with the second seeded, 26th racket of the world Marcos Baghdatis, and defeated him in three sets. In the quarterfinals, Andrey's rival was the Romanian Victor Hanescu, who beat him at Wimbledon 2010, who ranked 58th in the rankings and was seeded eighth in the tournament. In the first game, the Russian bounced back after a 0-4 score, in the second game he led 3-0, but eventually lost 7-61 5-7 2-6.

For the 500 category Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell 2011 tournament two weeks later, Kuznetsov received a personal invitation to the main draw from the organizers. In the first round, he met with Edouard Roger-Vasselin and lost in straight sets. At the next BMW Open 2011 tournament in Munich, Andrey made it to the main draw through qualification and lost in the first round to compatriot Nikolai Davydenko, the future winner, with a score of 1-6, 64-7.

This was followed by not very successful performances at the Challenger in Zagreb (exit from qualification to the first round) and at Roland Garros (defeat in the third round of qualification). The setbacks continued into the grass season, with losses in the first qualifying round at Hull, the second qualifying round at Eastbourne and at Wimbledon. During a speech in London, the Russian announced that he intends to take a break in order to better prepare for performances on hard [in the second half of the season.

Kuznetsov is the first and only winner of the junior Grand Slam tournament in singles or doubles among youths in the history of modern Russian tennis. For representatives former USSR that title became the fifth in history in such single tournaments: before that, the representatives of Ukraine and Lithuania were marked with the title once, and also twice - by Belarus (including once - at Wimbledon).

Andrey Kuznetsov was born in Tula, Russia in 1991. He started playing tennis at the age of six thanks to his father, who is a tennis coach, his brother is also on this moment is a tennis coach. In 2001, the family moved from Tula to Balashikha, where Andrei Kuznetsov, along with his older brother, continued training under the guidance of his father.

Tennis player Andrey Kuznetsov is the winner of the 2009 Wimbledon Youth Singles Tournament. Including he is the former third racket of the world among juniors. In the same 2009, the athlete became the winner of the national tennis award in the "Discovery of the Year" nomination called "Russian Cup".

In 2012, the young Russian Andrey Kuznetsov ended the year by entering the top 100 tennis players, this happened for the first time in his career, all this happened thanks to his enough good performances at Challenger matches. So, in April of this year, he won the title in Napoli, and qualified for the main draw for Wimbledon and the French Open (Roland Garros).

catch Russian tennis player in his native Tula is now unrealistic, catching him in Russia is much easier, but for this you have to go a long way to Balashikha near Moscow, where last years Andrey is based. A couple of days ago, he flew in from Australia, and immediately after our conversation, he flew to the Dutch Rotterdam for his next tournament.

Andrey Kuznetsov (left) and Myslo correspondent Dmitry Zakharyin.

First set: correspondent's questions

First steps in native Tula

- Andrei, tell us about your tennis childhood. What was little Andryusha Kuznetsov like?

Some memories popped into my head. I remember how they jumped on trampolines in the arena. Now there is already a warehouse, probably. I remember how I ran on open courts and knocked on pebbles. They didn’t give me a ball, and only stones got from the racket.

Once, at the age of 6, I forgot my only racket on the horizontal bars. They scolded me a lot because I then participated in some competitions.

- Was this sport instilled in you by a tennis family or just a personal interest woke up?

I was sent to tennis to improve my health. Immunity was weak and sports had to be done. Then there were no thoughts about any achievements. I just practiced three times a week because I liked it, that's all. Before moving to Balashikha, no one demanded seriousness from me. But then my father gave me a choice: if I wanted to progress in tennis, then it was time to give all my best in training. That's when I started to go to the goal.

- That is, the dream of the heights in world tennis appeared only in Balashikha?

No. My father likes to remind me how little Andrei threatened to win all the tournaments in a row. In sequence. Then more adequate goals appeared. I understood why I was training and what I was preparing for. As soon as I started to skip, it immediately affected the result.

- How do you remember that Tula, where you grew up and took your first steps in tennis?

In Tula, I have grandparents, a godfather. We used to go there often, but less and less every year. Friends are no longer there. At the age of 18, I came there one day and realized how small Tula was. Previously, the swing yard seemed huge, but now everything has changed. Well, the abundance of work and training does not often allow you to escape to Tula.

Alexander and Andrey Kuznetsov: father and son, coach and ward.

Second Motherland

- How did your adaptation in Balashikha go? Did you quickly become your own?

There were no problems in the new location. The only issue is housing. The five of us had to huddle in a one-room apartment. There was no money to rent a larger apartment. They moved constantly. Mom didn't like it much. Wandered like this for about 6 years. And then they got lucky - they got an apartment from the Russian Tennis Federation.

Was this gift a response to the proposal of the Tennis Federation of Kazakhstan, which then offered the citizenship of their country?

We were then open to everyone. We explained to the President of our Federation, Shamil Tarpischev, that we are not going to change our citizenship, but we are tired of living in rented apartments. He promised to solve this problem. And I decided. There was no blackmail.

- Otherwise, would you go to Kazakhstan?

I think yes. The offer was interesting, although then I would have scraped at heart. I tried to think of my family first. It was simply unrealistic to buy an apartment in Moscow or the region. It's good that there were people who were able to allocate real estate. In Balashikha I have all the conditions for training.

- Has Balashikha managed to become a second Motherland?

If they ask me where I'm from, I say that I was born in Tula and lived there for 12 years. But now my home is where my family is. When I spend a lot of time at tournaments, I miss home. It turns out that I miss Balashikha.

Andrey Kuznetsov and President of the Russian Tennis Federation Shamil Tarpishchev.

New step

- In the light of recent events on the courts of Qatar and Australia, do you consider yourself a leading player in Russia?

We have a lot of good tennis players. I hope that the country can simply be proud of me. It was nice when I had fans in Australia after this tournament. I'll try not to disappoint them.

I have a goal - to get to the Olympics. It is on this rating that participants are selected there. Chances are good. For major tournaments, participants are selected according to the same scheme. I would like to win a couple of tournaments before the May Roland Garros and perform well in France. Then the Olympics are in my pocket. But I don't think I'll stop there either. I want to be closer to the top 30 in order to get into the truncated "masters" and play against strong opponents.

Many tennis players in their arsenal have not only crown blows, but also branded chips. Someone falls constantly for balls, someone breaks rackets ...

My main feature is my tennis. First of all, we need to develop in this regard.

I make fans fall in love with me with the game. Over time, the chips will come by themselves, but I'm not a showy person. For me, for example, hair is an absolutely unimportant part of the image.

Although sometimes I can afford to kick the ball with my feet or catch it beautifully on a racket.

For those who are interested, dinner for the 52nd racket of the world: noodles, rice with barbecue,
carrot salad, juice.

What is the role of money in tennis? It is more important to go to a tournament where a good prize fund, or is there still an opportunity to earn more points in the rating?

These things are interconnected. Further passed through tournament bracket- more points received and money earned. Money allows me to travel to tournaments, but now I don’t have an acute need in finances. It is more important for me to constantly progress and gain rating points.

Decent sums are needed, probably, not only for traveling, but also for the current German specialists who are now working with you?

Undoubtedly. My father and I understood that if there were constant failures at tournaments, then we would not pull expensive coaches. It was easier with my father in this regard. At first, as a coach, I didn’t pay him anything at all, but then we decided that a fixed amount was needed. This is a professional approach.

- Who deals with Andrey Kuznetsov's financial issues?

I'm doing it. So far there have been no difficult tasks. The same Germans themselves calculate their costs, and I just check.

Alexander Kuznetsov, Andrey's father and coach

It's always hard to train your son. He listens to other coaches more attentively. Now I gave it to a coach from Germany, with whom he first competed in Australia. I am proud of my son, but I understand that special achievements he doesn't have it behind him. The main thing is ahead. I would like him to win the Grand Slam tournament one day, and to be among the strongest tennis players. And as a man and my son, he did not give a single reason to doubt his upbringing. I would even like to loosen up a little.

Andrey signs autographs at the Australian Open.

Best Achievement

- How do you remember the Australian Open now?

This is the first Grand Slam tournament in which I reached the second week. Feelings are unusual. At first, there are so many people around you that you can’t crowd your way into the dining room - a lot of participants. And then everything slowly fades away. The autograph session after the third round was a pleasant surprise. Previously, I had it only at the Kremlin Cup.

- Organization of the tournament at the highest level?

Yes, at the Grand Slam tournaments everything is the same everywhere. But if we take ordinary tournaments, then I am impressed by the tournament in Doha: a chic hotel, excellent food, players are presented with a new iPhone. A trifle like, but nice. In general, a rich country where money is not spared for anything.

- What are your nearest sports plans?

Now I'm going to ATP tournaments to Rotterdam and Marseille, then I'm waiting for an invitation to the Davis Cup. Now the question of the composition of the Russian team is being decided. In March, there will be fairly large "masters" in Indian Wells and Miami. Now the main desire is to abandon the "Challengers". I already tried it once, but I flew out of the top hundred of the rating and had to return to them.

- Satisfied with the start of 2016? Looking at your game, many people summarize that you just matured...

The psychologist of the Russian national team told me so. I can see that a lot has changed. It affects physical work and work in training. Tactical things that prompted me, affect. In a word, I am satisfied with my pre-season preparation. Well, confidence came after the first victories in Doha. This is a very important indicator in tennis.

Andrei has just lost to Gael Monfils.

- Did your father say that you didn’t have the strength to play with Monfils in Australia at all?

I wasn't sure if I would finish the game at all. I tried to take points at the expense of quick draws. I had to keep pushing and taking risks. The body really hurt. Old injuries resurfaced. I tried not to think about it and just play for fun.

Maybe you didn't have enough experience? It's the first time you've made it to the 4th round in a Grand Slam tournament.

The tournament showed that I am moving in the right direction. I failed to distribute forces over the distance correctly. In three rounds, he gave only one set. It would seem that there should still be a lot of strength, but they were not enough. There was no such experience.

- Is your main Australian Open lesson?

- Did you miss your father in Australia?

It was the first major tournament I went to without him. I did not try to surprise him with the result. We constantly called up, made adjustments to the game.

I felt that there was a whole team around me, which restores me between games and prepares me for the next ones. It's nice to have professionals around you. Every player needs such a team. I have it since this year.

Are you proud to be the only Russian guy to make it this far on the grid in Australia?

We have no competition in the national team. We support each other. The girls are rooting for the guys, the boys are rooting for the girls. When I had free time, I tried to attend the games of Russian tennis players. Rejoiced at successes, upset at defeats.

- How do you feel at the moment? Did you manage to heal old sores?

I work regularly with Dr. Bloom. It's been for 9 years now. Problems with hip joint have not gone anywhere and will not go away. Every 3-4 months I do certain procedures, every day I do a course of exercises. I couldn't play hard before, but that's all behind me. It doesn't bother tennis anymore.

- What is your favorite and least favorite cover?

Favorite is grass. I'm good at performing on it. True, there are still no grass courts in Russia. As a rule, I come to such tournaments a little earlier and prepare.

Andrei's usual training takes 1.5-2 hours.

Outside the tennis court

- What are you outside of tennis. Do you have hobbies, for example?

I have two guitars: acoustic and electronic. I mainly play acoustic. Learning to play. I don’t remember why I suddenly “fell ill” with the guitar. Just one day he asked me to give it to you. The first year I was actively engaged in this, but then I abandoned everything.

- Can we say that the guitars are waiting for you to finish your tennis career?

Such thoughts are in my head. In the meantime, everything happens in bursts: you go somewhere to a concert and you burn with the desire to learn how to play again. I hope to get back to playing guitar.

- How does one day of Andrey Kuznetsov go?

If this is a normal training day, then I wake up a couple of hours before the morning workout. After training lunch, light rest. In the evening Gym and a free evening, which I most often spend at home. I try to eat as often as possible. I want to put on a few kilos. If the day is not training, then I can go to Moscow, meet with friends. In general, there are enough things to do: travel, tickets, visas.

- Movies, nightclubs?

I love cinema. When there is a company, I go with pleasure. I can look at home. And nightclubs are not my thing. I've been there once in my life and don't want to go there again.

- What can you do in life besides playing tennis?

Well, I can do a lot. I can hammer a nail, cook food too. I learn fast. He could connect his life, for example, with cars. Amateur racing could earn. I haven't tried it yet, but I often watch it on TV. I love karting.

Before training, Andrey was "attacked" by young tennis fans.

Second set: questions from readers

- Andrei, do you play tennis with mere mortals?(qwerty1626)

Tried to play tennis with my friends. Does not work. I'm used to giving my best in training and intuitively I will play with everyone. It's like a chef in a restaurant. Do you think he wants to cook at home when he comes home from work?!

- Do you follow Tula tennis?(KolxozNik)

I know that in the Russian national team (under 14 years old) there is a Tula guy Timofey Skatov. I was glad when the Tennis Center was built in Tula. Now I was told that another Center is opening the other day, and Shamil Tarpishchev himself is going there for the opening ceremony.

- Are you ready to play against a guy from the Russian team (under 14)?(Timofey Skatov)

- (laughs) Challenge accepted.

- At what age is it better to start playing tennis for a child in order to achieve high results? (Hamilton)

I would advise not to rush too much. The desires of parents now outstrip the development of the child. A child should have a childhood. He can easily hate the sport he starts early. I had a childhood, and no one forced events with tennis. So just weigh everything and find your middle ground.

Andrey Kuznetsov and Rafael Nadal.

- Which tennis players do you admire? Did you manage to communicate (or play) with idols at the Grand Slam tournament?(bodun)

There are two players that I like. The first is Andre Agassi, who has already completed his career. The second is Roger Federer. It so happened that at the moment I have played with all the leading tennis players in the world, except for Federer. We often greet him when we meet. Not sure if he knows me (laughs). Although now he should already represent who I am.

About three years ago I came to the tournament in Federer's homeland in Basel, he came to our locker room and said hello. Then I was shocked.

I really want to play against Roger, although I understand that it will be difficult to show myself. And with everyone else we easily communicate, say hello. Even with Toni Nadal (coach of Rafael Nadal - author's note), they exchanged a few phrases.

It happens that the blow breaks. Did any of the spectators get a ball from you? And what paraphernalia do you give to your fans? (KolxozNik)

The line judges definitely got it, but this is a common thing (laughs). They knew what they were getting into. There were definitely no tragic cases with the audience. I would remember. Maybe someone flew, but only as a gift. And so the spectators ask for wristbands after the game, a towel. On " open day Tennis” in Tula gave everyone signed caps.

The object of jokes has long been the scream of tennis players during the repulsion of blows. And who, according to Andrey, is the mistress of the most erotic exclamation of modern tennis players? (Kirasotka)

To be honest, I don't follow women's tennis much. I would be glad to speak here as a specialist, but there is nothing to surprise me with. If one day I note someone's exclamation for myself, I will definitely tell you.

Andrei, do you ever have a premonition, the voice of intuition, that today the game will go like clockwork, or, conversely, the game will not work out? Do you have dreams that clearly indicate something good and victorious? Do you have a universal recipe for combating fatigue? And what would you like as a gift for your upcoming anniversary? Good luck! (Lyudmila Bernikova)

I can't say that I'm very worried before the games. In a dream, it happened that he played tennis. I once told my brother in a dream how to play and follow the lines. Intuition usually tells you that you can win here, but here you need to convince yourself. Trainer Norman helps me fight fatigue: massage, gymnastics, ice showers.

And about the anniversary, you are well reminded. I just remembered that I'll be 25 soon.
But I don't like gifts. Basically, I have everything. The main thing in a gift is attention. And, to be honest, I love to give gifts. I brought a lot of gifts from Australia to my friends.

Andrei, do you call on some higher powers to help you, or are all your achievements solely the result of work on yourself and there is no mysticism? (Ash is disgusting)

- (shrugs his hands) ... I used to believe in sports signs in tennis. I tried to have time to take the bench of the winner, for example. But at a junior age I realized that all this is stupid. Especially the mystic. The main sign now: dilute the drink, put the energy bar in the bag. But these are the usual fees for the game. I like to take the first serve - is this a sign ?!

What brand of racket do you use and why?(Lyira)

I have been playing with a Wilson racket for a very long time. Once I tried to play with it and after that I did not want to return to the old racket. The racket changes color and weight over time, because I still get stronger, but I'm still happy. The rest of my gear is Nike. Both Wilson and Nike have been under contracts since I was a junior.

I saw tennis players pounding their rackets. How do you deal with emotions? Can you afford to break a pair of rackets or is it expensive? And at whose expense is the banquet? (KolxozNik)

In my entire life, I broke just two rackets. It was again for juniors. But even then I realized that this is not my “trick”. It was even somehow uncomfortable, although sponsors were already giving rackets. Now they generally give a whole lot.

How much money did the tournament in Australia bring you? What part of the amount earned at the Australian Open went to you personally? (Ilya Kireev)

The amount is open information, and it is freely available (about 16 million rubles - author's note). There are taxes, there is a percentage of the coach. The expenses of the coaching staff are also on me. But 75-80 percent got it.

World number one Novak Djokovic and Andrey Kuznetsov.

I would love to be one someday. Even if in 10 years - ready to wait for this moment. With opponents like Djokovic, it's hard to be first.

The speed of the ball when serving by Andrey Kuznetsov reaches 206 km / h.

To be honest, I'm most interested in the question, does Andrei have a girlfriend, does she have anything to do with tennis, how does she relate to his tough regimen and frequent trips? (Lyira)

There are no girls. I am a supporter of serious relationships, but in such a schedule it is difficult to maintain them. There were attempts, but nothing good came of it. Realized that Family status I shouldn't worry now. Of course, there is no need to guess. Maybe now I'll go outside and fall in love ...

Do they recognize on the streets, ask to do joint photo Or get an autograph? Are they invited to a talk show like the evening Urgant? (Hamilton)

I was recognized off the court only a couple of times. Once I gave the boy an autograph at the British Embassy, ​​another time - at the airport in America, they approached me. There are more fans at the competitions. I do not regret autographs. But at the same time, I do not quite understand - why are they ?! I always thought that the photo is much more memorable and valuable.
Haven't been invited to the talk show yet. Before " Evening Urgant"I haven't grown up yet. There are real stars called.

One of the young Russian tennis players, Andrei Kuznetsov, in just a few years in professional tennis career was able to survive a large number of impressive victories and crushing defeats.

The beginning of Andrey Kuznetsov's attachment to tennis

Born in Tula in 1991, Andrey Kuznetsov begins to show interest in tennis at a very young age. The training of seven-year-old Andrey was taken over by his father, Alexander Kuznetsov, a university teacher physical culture and sports. From the very beginning of training, the young athlete showed extraordinary abilities, so the family decided to move to Balashikha near Moscow. There, intensive training continued at a more professional level. Together with Andrei, his brother, Alexei Kuznetsov, began to train.

First success in tennis

Soon the first results appeared - victories in local tennis competitions became a common thing for Andrey Kuznetsov. Andrey Kuznetsov reached the ITF level in 2006, and about 4 out of 5 matches ended in his favor. Victory in doubles and singles as a junior at Wimbledon left no doubt about the excellent sporting future of this talented tennis player.

Generally versatility for couples and singles quite a rarity for a tennis player. This requires a combination of two lines of behavior at once - the ability to focus on your strategy and the ability to adapt to your partner.

Victories and defeats

In the piggy bank sports achievements Andrey Kuznetsov has a lot of awards and prestigious competitions. In the stellar 2009 alone, he was able to take part in the Cairo futures final, win the doubles futures in Suez, receive an award for a single performance in Mestre and win awards in the Moscow and Astana tournaments. An attempt to participate in the ATP at the Cup in the Kremlin was unsuccessful, but the win at the St. Petersburg Open made it possible to compensate for this.

A talented Russian tennis player was invited to take part in tournaments in 2010 Grand Slam. The game at the Australian Open 2016-03-02 for Kuznetsov did not take place due to lack of time to prepare. Wimbledon, which gave him an advance in the form of inclusion in the main draw, still did not submit to the athlete.

Throughout 2011, Kuznetsov was plagued by failures, and only in 2012 was he able to regain his place in the ranking of the top 100 tennis players on the planet thanks to a number of successful Challengers and a future won in Cairo. The following year, Andrey Kuznetsov won the gold medal of the World Universiade.