RUSSIA: MIKHAIL YOUZHNY WHO HELPED RUSSIA WIN THE DAVIS CUP TENNIS TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Record ID: 645683

  • Title: RUSSIA: MIKHAIL YOUZHNY WHO HELPED RUSSIA WIN THE DAVIS CUP TENNIS TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
  • Date: 3rd December 2002
  • Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (DECEMBER 3, 2002) (REUTERS) JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: "We worked very well before the Davis Cup final and thanks to those weeks of training I have managed all five sets. During the 5th set I felt that I was playing better; that physically I looked better and had more chances to win. I could not imagine that after I had played the first two sets. But all the Russian fans were supporting me, so I could not let myself disappoint them, I was not thinking about anything else. I was playing each ball and I wanted to win very much." CUTAWAY JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: "I get tired of being abroad for a long time and I don't even try to have training there and I don't want to; I am satisfied with all we have in Russia; I have all facilities here for training. And there are always problems in moving from place to place, it takes time. But all facilities in Russia are almost the ideal, I think."
  • Embargoed: 18th December 2002 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MOSCOW,RUSSIA
  • Country: Russia
  • Topics: General,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAF4BGJ09I5YCCLD52SYDVOVW1Z
  • Story Text: Until last Sunday, not many tennis fans had heard the name Mikhail Youzhny. But the 20-year-old Russian tennis player has become a hero after he won his Davis Cup singles match in Paris and in the process ensured Russia won the trophy for the first time ever.
    In Moscow on Tuesday (December 3) Youzhy said the pre-Davis Cup training had been the key to the Russia's tennis triumph in Paris.
    "We (the Russian team), worked very well before the Davis Cup final and thanks to those weeks of training I have managed all five sets. During the 5th set I felt that I was playing better; that physically I looked better and had more chances to win. I could not imagine that after I had played the first two sets. But all the Russian fans were supporting me, so I could not let myself disappoint them, I was not thinking about anything else. I was playing each ball and I wanted to win very much," said Youzhny.
    The 20-year-old, who was a ball boy at the last time Russia contested a Davis Cup final in 1995, staged an astonishing comeback last Sunday to beat Paul-Henri Mathieu 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.
    His triumph in Paris capped a difficult six months.
    He won his first ATP title in July before suffering a worrying back injury.
    Youzhny was in Russia's line up for the Davis Cup semi-finals against Argentina in September, but didn't get to play in any of the rubbers. His father died two days after Russia beat Argentina to get to the Paris final.
    Youzhny certainly has the talent and the courage to make Russia a superpower in men's tennis, alongside compatriot and Davis Cup team mate Marat Safin.
    He says he plans to stay in Russia for the time being and believe's the tennis facilities are of a very high standard.
    "I am satisfied with all we have in Russia; I have all facilities here for training. And there are always problems in moving from place to place, it takes time. But all facilities in Russia are almost the ideal, I think," said Youzhny.
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