Marat, what’s Moscow like in the fall? In his blog for the ATP last week, Marat Safin wrote: “I have not been to every city in the world, but from what I have seen, Moscow is the best… Autumn has finally arrived in paradise (Moscow) and it was grey and rainy this morning… Second day of autumn in paradise. No thoughts, no stress, no problem, all good signs for a happy day at the office.”
Maria, what’s Moscow like in the fall? On her website, Maria Sharapova wrote: “I don't get to see real autumn very often, but boy have I seen it this week. Actually, I am very curious to see what the suicide rate here is. I mean I have only been here for ten days, and if it wasn't for today's sunshine, I would have told my bodyguards to put me on suicide watch. Ok I might be exaggerating a bit, but how do people survive in such depressing conditions!!... Because of the rain, I was actually quite worried that the only cultural therapy I was going to get on this trip, was the fake Mona Lisa hanging in my room. But today… was a beautiful day in central Moscow, and I got a chance to take a walk around the city, enjoying the crisp air. (Crisp air is actually an understatement.)”
Marat, what are the roads like in Moscow? “There was so much traffic as always today in Moscow. I think that 90% of the people do not know where they are driving or the reason. How can this country function like that? There is always traffic. Who is working? It is just like in Italy, the most amazing country apart from Russia. People never work there, they are always eating or fixing their hair. But I guess the most talented people do not need to work and I think that the Italians are the most talented people in the world apart from the Russians.”
Maria, what are the roads like in Moscow? “Traffic traffic traffic! I think I know what the problem is......no real parking lots.....or rules.”
Joachim, what do you do when your doubles partner leaves you high and dry for the birth of his child? Wisecrack? Or show him you don't need him anyway? Thomas Johansson (no relation) was scheduled to play with Joachim in a blockbuster doubles match against Jonas Bjorkman and John McEnroe in Stockholm, but had to withdraw when his wife went into labour that day. In 1998, whenJacco Eltingh pulled out of the US Open doubles and flew home to see his just-born son, his doubles partner Paul Haarhius had this to say: “Can you believe he’s dumping me, his buddy for seven years, for a kid he’s never seen before?!”
Joachim chose the second route, more than making up for any disappointment over the doubles with his singles performance, upsetting Rafael Nadal in the second round on his way to the semfinals. It was only his second ATP event since shoulder surgery last July, and lifted his ranking to No. 292 from No. 690.
David, have you seen yourself play recently? It's hard to tell. David Nalbandian, one of the best all-surface players in the men's game, defeated his more claycourt-oriented compatriot Juan Ignacio Chela last week in Vienna and was quoted as saying, "The rather slow surface worked in my favor."
Anna, did you ever have to put up with anything like this? Definitely not. Evgeny Korolev, Anna Kournikova’s cousin, played his first-round match against Denis Istomin in a nearly empty stadium in Moscow.
Nadia, with fans like these, who needs detractors? Exactly. A seven-week-old poll on Nadia Petrova’s website asks visitors to predict Petrova’s ranking at the end of the year. Given a choice from No. 1 to No. 10, the most common prediction by far is that she’ll finish at No. 10. She’s currently No. 5.
But maybe she doesn’t mind. Remember, Petrova fired her coach earlier this year because she wasn’t being tough enough on her.
Roger, have you ever thought about using your worldwide fame to promote an underexposed, marginal sport like – say, soccer? Always glad to spread the word. Roger Federer will be acting as a Swiss ambassador for the Euro 2008 soccer tournament, which will be co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria. No word yet on his Davis Cup plans for 2007.
Is this what happens when you pay the big bucks? Interesting concept – put up the money, and the depth will follow? The women’s event in Moscow was a highly competitive one – of the 26 matches played (plus one walkover), 10 went to three sets, and five of those three-setters ended with a tiebreak. The men had nine three-setters out of 29 matches (plus two retirements), two of which went to a final-set tiebreak.
Because of different tour designations, Moscow is one of the rare events where total prize money for the women is greater than for the men – $1.34 million vs. $1 million.