Svetlana Kuznetsova – “It Hurt Me Because Roger Lost”

The 21-year-old Russian qualifier, Andrey Rublev recently made headlines for defeating Roger Federer in 62 minutes in Cincinnati. The two-time major champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova was upset about, her compatriot, Rublev trouncing upon the 20-time Grand Slam champion, Federer in Cincinnati.

When Federer lifted up his French Open title in 2009, Kuznetsova was fortunate enough to lift her Roland-Garros title alongside the Swiss maestro. Also, her previous Grand Slam title victory in Flushing Meadows was alongside Federer. 

“Andrey, his mom is really good coach, a great coach in Russia, and she asked me to see him when he was 7-8 years old. And he cried, throwing the racket. It looked very funny. I said I was not sure that he’ll be an incredible tennis player, but his character will definitely be,” Kuznetsova recently penned her relationship with her thriving compatriots on the ATP Tour.

“And then he, too, was skinny. He had a tank top like Nadal. And hands thin. Very funny. But even then, he was a character. He was born with it. So I was very happy for him. I believe that to beat Roger it’s amazing, but also, it hurt me because Roger lost, so it was kind of… But I still did text Rublev and congratulate him,” Svetlana Kuznetsova continued, who is reviving her tennis career on the WTA Tour as she is into finals of Cincinnati Open 2019.

It’s been a decent tennis season for the Russians so far. The young talents Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khanchanov have shown up on big courts and achieved their personal best records in Slams. 

Khanchanov reached his first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal at Roland-Garros this year, also Medvedev made it to the fourth round of Australian Open 2019. Medvedev’s recent run to two back-to-back finals in Washington DC and Montreal has been an incredible achievement in itself.

“I was happy that Medvedev was playing in Canada. I wrote it on Instagram. He answered and immediately called me. With Karen, I talk a lot. He asked how I was doing with an injury. Pushed me to ensure that I got back said that we need to play. I answered him: “I’m tired, I’m over 30. When you’re over 30 and you play as I do, then we’ll talk. Don’t make me.” But he is very good, very cute,” the US Open 2004 champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova shared.

Kachanov and Medvedev were the first Russian pair to reach the semifinals at the same Masters 1000 event, which took place in Montreal last week. Also, simultaneously both of them are residing in the top-ten ATP Rankings.

Medvedev will be seeded eighth at the US Open 2019. He will be among the top ten seeds of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his career.