"In the morning, all of a sudden, for no reason, they began to write."

- You do not so often please the audience with your appearance on television, social events, and suddenly - an unexpected debut on the air of the main channel of the country. How did it happen that after such a long silence, as you like to put it, “hot water has gone”?

- Two years ago, I left the State Duma, began to take care of my life, travel, spend more time in Europe. And then he ended up in Moscow, and it so happened that he invited the First Channel. I hope it turned out fun.

- Your comments left few indifferent. After the final, the US Open was admired not only by fans, but also by journalists. Some of them even offer to nominate you for the Taffy Award. Expected such a response from the public?

“Thanks to them for that.” Of course, I did not expect it. Only in the morning, all of a sudden, for no reason, they began to write, at first did not even understand what was happening. I think everyone has a good attitude towards a healthy banter. There were also dissatisfied, but this is their problem, nothing needs to be projected on me, because I'm not a real commentator. Everything was done from the heart from the point of view of the fan. You need to understand that this is a sport, a completely different approach, a different sense of humor, so you should not expect any clever phrases from me. Two young guys play tennis, especially in the evening. And I tried to explain in a simple, "balalaika" language the things that I see. No plan or catch is worth seriously analyzing what I said. Glad it came in.

- The five-hour broadcast is a difficult test even for experienced commentators, was it hard to endure such a marathon on the air?

- In any case, it was a good experience. I got a call three hours before the broadcast, so there was no time to prepare, and I said what I saw. I think the tennis fans understood me. Previously, in our country it was the number one sport. And now a new generation has appeared. It did not grow in the USSR, they have a different understanding of reality, approach and views. Therefore, there is some stratification of society, there is a misunderstanding. If we do not try to understand youth, it will not lead to anything good. In a good way, they do what they want, these are adequate talented people who defend their views. Therefore, it is necessary to find a common language with them.

- And you did it, despite the intense match. By the way, you reacted so emotionally to Medvedev’s mistakes that it’s impossible not to ask: were there moments when inappropriate words could spontaneously slip into the air?

- No, I'm an adequate person. He himself communicated with many people: from presidents to janitors. Of course, from the outside it might seem that I am already “on the flag”, but this is not so. Perhaps some phrases cut their ears. But when you do something from the heart, do not show off and prove something to someone. Already reached an age in which to spit on public opinion.

“Have you enjoyed yourself?”

- Yes, it was interesting, yet I watched the match not as a commentator, but as a fan who watches the younger friend. I communicate well with Karen Khachanov, Andrey Rublev, and I won’t be offended if they win more titles at the Grand Slam tournaments and become better than us. Moreover, I’m sure that it will be so. Of course, I wanted to somehow help, to suggest something, after all, I’m older than Daniel and I see the game a little deeper. For example, at that moment when he had chances to finish off Nadal, but the opponent’s experience affected.

- Would you agree if you were offered to conduct a tennis program once a week?

- I have something to do, there is where to go. This is my vision of the future, that in which I have a chance to prove myself. Therefore, I am only grateful for this experience, but I think that it was a single one. Then it gets dirty and becomes less interesting. I would refuse to conduct another broadcast, because this should be done more professionally. And I want to apply my knowledge and experience in another area. You just have to wait, everything has its time.

- If you still assume that such a show will exist, who would you invite as a co-host? Maybe it would be Eugene Kafelnikov or your sister Dinara?

- Family in a row? Yes, we have something to talk about on the air. I think this should be left to people who are in love with tennis and deal only with it. I left him, I don’t watch on television, I don’t follow the results, I don’t even have a Medvedev number. I learned the position of the players in the ranking just before the broadcast, digging around on the Internet.

- Why did it happen? Is tennis really out of love?

- I didn’t stop loving, it was just one of the stages in life. It is necessary to collect experience in various fields, and not get stuck on just one thing. When we die, we only have accumulated knowledge, and in no case money. Vacuuming them as much as possible is a stupid occupation. Then to hang coffins with banknotes? There are interesting statistics: 85% of what parents accumulate, their children spend, and only 15% of the next generation. The condition is only rarely transmitted further. Family units managed to preserve their capital and create a dynasty. As a rule, with the help of money, parents try to protect children from their experience, and they grow in greenhouse conditions, which means that they are only weakening. Everyone knows this, but for some reason no one wants to pay attention.

"Medvedev is trying to grope his self"

- Let's go directly to the finals. You, in your characteristic ironic manner, have repeatedly noted age-related changes in the appearance of Rafael Nadal. Is the titled athlete really so old?

- Yes, in the world of sports you can say that. Because a new generation is already pulling up in the person of the same Medvedev, Khachanov, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Dominic Tim. And it will be increasingly difficult for Nadal to resist them. It’s hard to run around the court from the age of 18, it’s a lot of work. In addition, tremendous pressure is exerted on him, because the older is more painful to lose to the younger. The combination of these factors gives an advantage to the young. This is exactly what happened in the final of the US Open, when Daniel recouped from the score 0: 2 and could win the match.

- Nadal won solely due to experience or was something missing for Medvedev?

“I think everything revolves around experience.” Because the outcome of the match is decided by two or three goals. At the beginning of the fifth set, Medvedev had a chance to go into the lead, which he failed to take advantage of. And it was necessary to squeeze. But it’s like in football: if you don’t score, they hammer you. The Russian did not have enough experience. He calmed down when the "smell of fried", and gave Nadal to catch on a few points and regain control of the situation.

- Daniel Medvedev did not leave the American public indifferent. In the US, they discussed not only his game, but also behavior on the court. For example, before the finale, the local press called him a bad guy.

- Well, what is he bad? A very good boy, darling, you can see from him.

- You probably know all about it ...

- Yes. I'm a darling too ( Laughs ). It's all about the experience of communicating with the public. For Daniel, much is new, since he was talked about as the future of tennis only after winning the Masters in Cincinnati. At first he was one of the majority, and then became the first among the young. And now he needs to understand how to live with it. It is very important. Because the audience is easy to set against yourself, but you can constantly poke. But if you do it from the heart, do not try to portray yourself, then you will be accepted.

- That is why the audience began to sympathize with him only at the end of the tournament?

- I did not see what happened during the tournament, my telly does not work for me. But he is trying to find his self both on the court and in communication with the public. This is normal for a person who has just begun to show results. All went through this, no one found himself immediately and reached the level of "god". If this were so, then people would have followed this person. But I have never met such people anywhere in the world.

- Medvedev himself admitted that the negative aspects - when the audience booed him - also helped him get to the final match.

“But he didn’t lie.”

- Many began to actively support Medvedev after he imposed a fight on Nadal in the third set. Have you had such moments in your career?

- There were, of course, when I brought out lace on the court. The audience can be understood. But we are living people, we have situations that affect not only the game, but also the attitude towards the public. However, if you are sincere, then the fans will treat you with understanding. So it was with Medvedev: the stands understood that he was a good guy, trying to play, fighting, not being naughty. People appreciated it because everyone likes fighters.

- In the fourth and fifth sets, winning an important game, Nadal began to start a crowd, actively gestured, and Daniel, on the contrary, masked his emotions. Where does this polar behavior come from? Does it mean that the Russian athlete could be partly scared?

“No, it's just what it is.” Calm guy, kept a cold mind throughout the game. Of course, passions could boil inside, but on the face was an absolutely impenetrable mask. Nadal began to appeal to the public because he understood that his internal resources were running out. It was necessary to do something, to seek outside help. Note to our fighters: from the fans you can cool up with energy.

- Maybe Daniel should have been a little more relaxed?

- Emotions cannot be played on purpose; they must be managed and able to work with them. Otherwise, you can unwind and loosen yourself so that you won’t get back together. The manifestation of feelings on the court should not affect concentration.

- Many people compare the current US Open final with the decisive game of 2000, when you played with the legendary Pete Sampras. In fact, the situation was similar: you are 20 years old, on the opposite side of the court - an experienced and titled opponent. Was Mandrazh present?

- At that time, Alexander Volkov was my coach. As a man of the old generation, he was afraid of everything. Before the game, he told me: "You just do not lose in three sets." It really hit me. I was not going to give in. He sent him obscenities ... He went out and did what he believed.

- Which ending was more difficult - with Sampras at the US Open or with Lleyton Hewitt at the Australian Open in 2005?

- With an Australian. Because I already understood that I had to win. I needed a second Grand Slam. He went out, the legs atrophied on the nerves. I did not get any pleasure from that match. It was just torture. At US Open, everything was somehow easy and playful. He treated this more as an interesting adventure.

- What words would you like to address Medvedev?

- Nothing special. Let it remain as it is. He does not listen to figures who will appear in the wake of his popularity. At the beginning of a career, it is important to distinguish who is who. Yes, some people are sincerely trying to help, but there are many parasites around who want to stick to someone else's glory. This life, unfortunately, 99% of what sticks to us is junk. He has a coach, a beloved wife, so we must continue to hold on to those who are sincere and honest.

“I am grateful that I grew up with the Youth TV

- Medvedev became the first Russian finalist of the Grand Slam tournament in 14 years. The previous achievement is yours. Does the current success indicate that tennis has officially returned to the country?

- I think yes. A new generation of talented guys has appeared. They were born and raised in the new system. Compared with us, they have different values ​​and ideas. Zhenya Kafelnikov and I came to international tournaments and pinned shorts with a pin, played in sneakers, over which everyone around was laughing.

- That is, they felt a certain discomfort?

- Well, of course. No matter how great we play, the rivals looked down on us. And we were constantly poked at others, they said: “Look at how the French and Italians play, and you are slanting and crooked.” The only thing is that in fact they performed worse, but due to the fact that they were coolly dressed, they were perceived as favorites and leaders. Now, over the years, I understand that people on us, children, projected their internal complexes.

- Are there any specific examples?

- Yes, and not from tennis. Remember, the women's volleyball team had a coach Nikolai Karpol, who spoke very strongly and in heightened tones with the wards. In my opinion, this is the wrong approach. These are children, girls, and they will continue to live with this. You need to understand that, omitting the athlete on the court or court, the coach transfers all this to everyday life. Programs are laid and left. If you pump up children with the fact that they are morons, they will continue to position themselves until the end of days.

- Now this is no longer?

- Fortunately, times have changed. The current generation does not even know how we lived and trained. And I remember everything, because I myself went through a lot. He collected bottles and waste paper, stood in lines.

- You started winning quite early and get big fees. Tell me honestly, did the money turn your head?

- Naturally, it’s stupid to lie that it wasn’t. Of course, the cuckoo is moving out. And so it was with me. I caught her, then again she temporarily changed her position. Over the years, after many events, he has revised his attitude to life. It is important to understand and accept their dark sides, but here more often than not everyone thinks that they are white and fluffy. Only by looking inside and accepting oneself can one adequately perceive the world. All that annoys you is you.

- You and Yevgeny Kafelnikov were the main stars at a time when tennis was the number one sport in the country. It's no secret that you were actively supported by the first president of Russia, Boris Yeltsin. Has such attention been pressured by the first person of the state?

- I will speak only for myself. At 12, I left the country. They didn’t take me to the American Academy, where Anna Kournikova studied - I did not pass the selection, so I was sent to Spain. The Swiss was the sponsor ... So from the country at that moment I didn’t get a dime. But I played for Russia, because I’m a patriot and I love my homeland. I saw Boris Nikolaevich two or three times in my life and I respect him very much, as well as his family. But, going to court, he represented the country, not the president.

- Does the current generation work in different conditions?

- Yes. There are money sponsors. Parents can afford something. Now people with great financial capabilities are themselves interested in supporting athletes. For example, I have friends and comrades who are financing Khabib Nurmagomedov.

- And you do not envy what was different in your childhood?

- Not! I am grateful that I grew up with the TV "Youth", which sometimes showed "Roland Garros." To live in this experience and now find ourselves in another world full of high technology is an invaluable experience.

“By the way, are you talking to Kafelnikov now?” Still, they played together for so long, both cheer for the capital's Spartak ...

- I heard how he constantly curses with someone on this issue, then reconciles. He likes people, obviously, too. I have my own life, he has his own. Of course, we correspond, but we never go together for dinner. But I really respect him, we went through a lot together.