Medvedev won more titles, reached the final of the U.S. Open, which pyatisetovy Thriller lost to Rafael Nadal. Earlier Rublev beat in Cincinnati, Roger Federer, and generally held a strong year.
do Not lag behind their friends and Khachanov. It is the first time in his career he made it to the quarterfinals of the tournament “Grand slam” – “Roland Garros” in Paris, reached the semifinals of the prestigious tournament “Rogers Cup” in Canada, together with the Ruble dragged our team to the semifinals of the Davis Cup in Madrid. Yes, victories in the singles tournaments were, but in this game Karen, probably even in the future will Express itself.
Now Khachanov, like all other athletes and ordinary people is isolation. But time in vain did not lose: he trains every day, reads books and talks to fans on the Internet. On the preparations for the resumption of the season, friendship with Medvedev and Russian Ruble, the nerves in tennis and food preferences – about all this and not only Karen said in an interview “RG”.
What’s your training schedule at the time of isolation? Have you made a plan?
Karen Khachanov: I arrived in Moscow in mid-March, when the abolition of the tournaments in Miami and Los Angeles. The first days were just hanging out, and then got on the phone with his team. We kept in touch – as a tennis coach and fitness, physio. I have a plan, which I adhere. But to bend is also not necessary, because it is still unclear when to resume the season.
Unable to reveal a little plan: what exercises to perform, how many times?
Karen Khachanov: Run every day for almost ten kilometers, doing exercises to strengthen the muscles. Incidentally, even before the lockdown to purchase dumbbells and various weights, with whom I work with. Overall, I train 2-2,5 hours a day. Just one day I have more races, the other with more attention to coordination.
the Racket in his hands these days are taking?
Karen Khachanov: When there was no quarantine were taken. Upon arrival in Moscow, I went to practice and then do only at home. Hitting a ball against a wall and back.
in Addition to the training what else to do in isolation? Maybe some new Hobbies come from?
Karen Khachanov: Now I have more free time. Spend it with my family, son. Watch movies together, talk a lot. I read books sometimes, I watch the news. Although now is a difficult time that sometimes it is not clear: the truth and a lie. Therefore try to get information from different sources.
a few months ago, no one expected it to be that.
Karen Khachanov: That’s right. Like here babahnulo on the head. Worldwide global problems. Everything is closed, economies suffer. Need faster�� to defeat the pandemic to all of this is not delayed. But when it’s all over now it’s no use guessing. Every day we hear that virologists, doctors, find some drugs, trying to save people. So let’s just wait. We need to do everything yourself and stay home to avoid spreading the virus.
What will happen to the tennis season? There is some kind of understanding?
Karen Khachanov: Pre-season to resume on July 13. As long as we keep in mind that date. But everybody understands that it is too optimistic forecast. Even if some country will come out of quarantine and they will be fine, but in others the situation will not improve – there are problems with flights. Such things are not solved in one day.
tournament “Slam” moved “Roland Garros”, repealed Wimbledon. But the organizers of the Open championship of the USA insist that the tournament will be held on time. Is this possible?
Karen Khachanov: To US Open for another four months. Time is, although it is already starting slowly to draw. Everything will depend on the situation of coronavirus in the United States. There are in fact now the worst in the world. So we’ll see.
Organizers of the “Hats” shared with the players his plans for transfers and cancellations of tournaments? Or were you not aware?
Karen Khachanov: Here, as in all other large organizations, much depends on policy. In tennis is the ATP and ITF. The tournament series “Grand slam” are under the power of the ITF. And they were faced with a choice: to cancel any competition or try to move him, without consulting anyone. They didn’t have time. They had to quickly decide on whether you will lose a lot of money or have to figure out a way to postpone the tournament. Can’t say that they did perfectly, without telling the players about his intentions, but I can understand them.
And legends such as Federer, Nadal if Djokovic was not able to somehow influence the situation? To ensure that players consulted?
Karen Khachanov: at this moment it’s hard to decide anything. In tennis in this situation have enough problems. Some sponsors leave, there is no translation. All suffer from the virus. Economics and sports are interrelated. But when all this is over, I have to take everything and to think that we can change. And is that all in limbo.
it seems that this pause will do you good. All your results in recent times left much to be desired.
Karen Khachanov: a moot point. Yes, maybe psychologically it will be good for you. You can just take a break from tennis, tour, competitions, spend time with family. But on the other hand, when you normally don’t exercise, don’t play, I don’t know what goto��be when it will resume all this pressure. One thing is for sure – when it’ll start again, the guys will be hungry to tennis. Perhaps more than ever.
a Few days ago, you answered questions from followers on Instagram. Do you like this format of communication?
Karen Khachanov: Yes. People are interested to ask you a personally question, to communicate. I don’t mind. If there are any stupid comments will be ignored.
you Have recently had a story that after the defeat of Evans in Rotterdam you posted a user review where he insulted you. Why did you do it?
Karen Khachanov: Realize that in such situations it is pointless to answer. Just at that time, after this defeat I was very angry, upset. I don’t know why I did it. Maybe I was in a mood. By the way, when I published the words of the character who insulted not only me but also my family, he closed his page. So everything is clear. For myself, I made findings and more such things will not climb.
Pleased with the progress of your career?
Karen Khachanov: there is Always something to change for the better. After some time you realize that something can be done differently. But ago it will not return, so that it is pointless to think about it. I am a lucky person engaged in a favourite sport, and do it quite successfully. A lot of working and training trying to get better. At this stage I can’t say that I globally unhappy or doing something wrong.
you had a very strong 2018, especially the ending: victory in the final of “masters” in Paris, 11th place in world rankings. But 2019 is not so successful. Why?
Karen Khachanov: I would not say that it was so bad. You can’t play a Fig for the first time in his career to reach the quarterfinals on the “Helmet”, to finish the season in 16th place. Yes, there was less stability. I agree with that. Was the unexpected defeat. But what is the reason – even now hard to say. That year I trained no less and maybe more than a year earlier. It just so happens, there was a certain decline.
Why tennis?
Karen Khachanov: my parents brought in a section, when it was set in a children’s group. I was three years old. But I was taken for General athletic development. Then I began to play, to take in hand the racket. And in 12 years I realized: I like tennis. And I want to be a professional.
With your height you could easily try myself in basketball.
Karen Khachanov: I played at school with friends. I liked basketball, but professionally I wanted to play tennis.
No there were never desire to throw it all away?
Karen Khachanov: No. There were some disappointedIya, bitter defeats. But this, to seriously think about leaving the tennis – never didn’t have such thoughts. For a couple of days I could lose the desire to take up a racket, to train. That’s all.
In the individual sport from a psychological point of view, more complicated accounts than in the team? Or Vice versa?
Karen Khachanov: it Depends on the mindset of the character that you like. Many players from team sports like tennis, and Vice versa – sometimes players want to try themselves in football, basketball. Purely an Amateur. This is due to the fact that everyone at some point wants to try something new, to add variety.
How important is psychology in tennis? Do you have a psychologist?
Karen Khachanov: No. I personally do not advocate this. I think you have to understand yourself inside and to solve some problems if they arise. With me always a wife who can play the role of a psychologist, something to help, to guide. True, it was a little smaller to travel with me after the birth of her son, but nevertheless. In General, I’m not advocating that as a tennis player was a psychologist, but if someone so like – no questions asked. I Express my personal opinion.
The same Marat Safin in a recent interview said that right now psychology plays a huge role in tennis.
Karen Khachanov: He’s right. But in fact the person himself can adjust the game to handle the pressure. Yes, there are mistakes. However, the sport cannot be avoided. Sometimes you may falter hand at the crucial moment of the meeting. It doesn’t mean you need counselling and you won’t miss. In tennis, after all, not everything depends on you. There is also a rival. And excitement is normal. Those who say that they never jitters and not worried about anything, a little bit disingenuous.
Again, he also said that earlier in the round, the players talked more, friends. Now this is not?
Karen Khachanov: Is, why not? If we talk about Andrei Rublev, Daniil Medvedev and Eugene Don, we are very close friends. When we are together at some tournament, after the games often overlap, having dinner together, having a good time. Maybe he meant that before the players from different countries are close friends. Just now other times, players have more and more people in the team. You’re more invested in himself, in his future, those around you and helps you grow in the profession. Now the guys hang out less, walk. Especially before a competition.
Well, why not? There’s Nick Kirios, who openly admits that sometimes before important games all night chopped in a computer game, going to the bar.
Karen Khachanov: For me, it more gamesAET to the public than what it really is.
Such people are needed in tennis?
Karen Khachanov: People like all extraordinary. If everything is day by day doing it right – it will bore people. Such as Kirios, of course, need tennis. I am not a supporter of the line of conduct he has chosen, but he has a lot of fans. Although there are the haters. But both these categories of people enjoy watching his matches because you never quite know what to expect. The man in demand. He might be doing wrong, however, interest is rabid.
In January, you lost Kiros crazy pyatisetovy match in Australia, trailing 0-2 in the parties. How did you sleep after that game?
Karen Khachanov: Oh… I could not sleep. I went to bed at four in the morning. While we have completed all recovery procedures, as did massage, stretching, left a lot of time. I really could not wrap my head around this game, the adrenaline was in full swing. But then I fell asleep and slept like a log. Still, two consecutive match at 4-5 hours is a huge burden on the body.
Kirios you said something after the game?
Karen Khachanov: We just gave each other hands, I congratulated him and he said, “You’re a fighter, handsome. But you just got unlucky”. Trust me, he’s a normal guy, absolutely adequate.
Not hard to play against friends? As, for example, against Medvedev in the semifinals of the world masters Championships in Montreal in August last year?
Karen Khachanov: It’s complicated, though during a match you do not pay attention to such things. After the game you can be best friends, have fun together, to communicate. But on the court there are no friends. In those situations, you get used to it, it comes with experience.
Medvedev, many were criticized for their refusal to participate in the Davis Cup in Madrid. Agree with this criticism?
Karen Khachanov: He was very tired at the time. Although the same Nadal and Djokovic arrived in Madrid, despite a very busy season. I would not want to judge Dan. I understood his desire to relax, just to unwind. But believe me: he really wanted to fly to Spain and even apologized to us that he did not. Can’t say that he was wrong in that situation. We reacted to his decision with understanding.
How do you like the new format of the Davis Cup? In this form, as now, the tournament has a future?
Karen Khachanov: When two such similar tournament as the Davis Cup and ATP series are the difference in a month is not very good. But we, the players, will not give up performances in them because we get the honor to represent their country.
Now, many athletes are closely monitoring the diet, some even write on this topic, columns in magazines. You have your diet?
Karen Khachanov: to be honest, until recently, not too ��ledil the diet. But now I’ve rethought some things and maybe something will change. Can’t say what it is. It is important to understand that nutrition, sleep, recovery is a key components in the life of an athlete. And you have to have a routine.
do you Have a schedule: eat so many times a day and that particular time?
Karen Khachanov: Eat about three times a day. The standard plan is nothing new. In the evening try not to eat, eat less sweet, although I love him very much (laughs) and carbohydrates. This then affects the weight. A lot here depends on how intense my day. If you really want, you can eat dessert. But, as I said, from now on I will pay more attention to the question of power.
what you absolutely don’t eat?
Karen Khachanov: Fish. I have allergic. Don’t like cheese, and dairy products.
How to treat vegans in sports?
Karen Khachanov: I used to think that it is impossible to be vegan and to engage in professional sports. But now, looking at a couple of programs and films, changed his mind. Depends on what your diet. Need to know what you can eat and what is not.
do You like meat?
Karen Khachanov: Yes. To be honest, I have a slight oversupply of meat. Too eat a lot of it. And the meat slows you down, it’s junk food.
it seems that you’re thinking of becoming a vegan.
Karen Khachanov: Now can’t really say anything. It is necessary to understand what products suit you and how they affect your body. In such matters we must be very careful and do not rush.
How do you recover from long flights, given your height?
Karen Khachanov: in 2016 I broke even and try to take business classes on long-haul flights to Australia, the States, Asia. But such journeys every year we have several. If I have a long flight, try to be in place for 5-7 days before the start of the competition to have time to acclimate.
I Agree that the interest in tennis in Russia in recent years has increased?
Karen Khachanov: Yes, of course.
How do you keep it?
Karen Khachanov: quite simply, we depend on the results. Had also been of interest, but after leaving Safin, Kafelnikov, Davydenko, southern, he almost fell. But lately we have some success. I held strong in 2018, then Rublev added in the past year, Medvedev has won several tournaments in a row, reached the final in new York. Tennis began to broadcast, because all the interesting victory. There are victories – is broadcast. Will the broadcast be sure there is interest. Here is the link.
the Trinity – Rublev, Medvedev and Hacha��s – you are the most calm on the court. Where is the cool?
Karen Khachanov: I try to stay calm on the court, although sometimes all inside is boiling. I mean, I have Armenian blood, so the emotions are going wild sometimes. Sometimes it’s good to have passion. Sometimes even worth breaking a racket to release the steam. If it helps, I see no problem.
Born on 21 may 1996 in Moscow.
Started playing tennis at the age of three. In 2013 at the age of 17 years and 157 days became the youngest Russian tennis player who debuted in the ATP tour, playing at the tournament in St. Petersburg. In October 2016 Khachanov first time in his career won the trophy as part of a world tour in Chengdu. The second title in the tour Karen won in 2018, becoming the best in Marseille.
In October 2018 Karen won home ATP tournament in Moscow, beating in the decisive game of the Frenchman Adrian Mannarino. This allowed the photographer to climb into the top 20 rankings. At the end of October – early November Khachanov has achieved fantastic achievements: for the first time, won the tournament series “masters”. In Paris, he was stronger than such players as Alexander Zverev, Dominic Tim, and in the final defeated the first racket of the world, one of the best players in the history of the Serb Novak to Djokovic. That season Khachanov finished in 11th place.
In 2019 Karen first participated in the quarterfinals of the tournament series “Grand slam” – the Open championship of France in Paris. Because of this, he was in the top 10 rankings. Now Khachanov is in 15th place.
Married since April of 2016. 14 Sep 2019 Karen and his wife Veronica son was born.
