Elena Vesnina Biography

Elena Vesnina: “Daughter is my main fan and the most important reward in life” How do you like its results? The access to the final of the Bolshoi helmet tournament is always an event and success. It is a pity that we were not able to win in the final, but this time we had an extremely heavy mesh. We beat a lot of strong couples, but spent a lot of energy and nerves.

Perhaps a little experience was not enough, somewhere the nerves played their own. Still, Veronika and I have been playing together not so long ago. For Veronica, this would be the first tournament of the Big Slam. It's a shame that I did not work out, but the “sport is cruel and unpredictable”, as I wrote in my Instagram. So we will be angrier, we will train more, prepare and will definitely win in the future.

But the nuances that still need to work on. Now, of course, for me, each of these victories is very significant. A fairly long break, especially in physical terms. I need time to gain shape. And just, the tournament in Wimbledon was very contributed to this. Such protracted nerve matches that we played lasted almost 3 hours each game, it is on the one hand, great, and on the other, maybe this is why we did not have enough strength for the finale.

Were there difficulties? It seems that the result is unsatisfactory, but having left the match, I immediately told the coach that I had a good feeling from this couple. Thanks to the sufficiently great experience in paired performances with various partners, I understand, already at some other level, in the game, that yes, maybe the match was not in our direction, the rivals were a little better, but for us it was the first match, we just did not understand each other.

It took us two matches in order to feel each other: who runs where and, who, what he does. Veronica plays a couple of a couple and most importantly, knows how to do it. I try to help her at some points, because she, of course, is still unknown to her. For me, the most important thing is that health, strength and mood from the match to the match. I try not to allow strong excitement in myself, so as not to start worrying prematurely.

Because of this, we urgently made a replacement and, as a result, we will play, as on Wimbledon, with Veronika Kudermetova. Is there already a schedule? In Tokyo, I was several times, but it was at the Olympic Games, at the stadium where the competitions this year will be held. Affected restrictions on athletes? We are all under the so -called “bubble”, we have no right to leave the hotel and tennis courts.

All athletes are taken out on buses, we must take PCR tests every two days, of course, wear masks, handle hands. This is closely monitored. After all, many tournaments will be held without spectators ... - Yes, I already had such an experience. It is a little strange to play without spectators, but over the past six months I have already adapted. Of course, I want the fans to sit, there was support, otherwise the atmosphere on the court will be a little oppressive.

Let's hope that our teammates will come at the Olympic Games and support each other at matches, because it will be very difficult in a different way, especially for those who are going to perform at the Olympics for the first time. How did you return to the "clip" so quickly? I trained, prepared, I can’t say that I made more effort than before the birth of a child.

Still, you need not to go too far as the sport and for me the most important thing will always be my child, my family. Therefore, I trained either, when my daughter slept, or took her with me always as far as possible. I really did not want to miss those days when it grows quickly, changes and not be with her. In England, I could not take Lisa. There were very strict restrictions and said that a child who is 2.5 years old would also have to hand over PCR tests every two days.

My family and I decided that Lisa stayed at home with grandmothers. How does she set up mom for tournaments? I just flew from England, she immediately asked me, and where is my cup? I explained to her that this time the "plate". And she immediately had a question: “Well, you won’t take anywhere else? I honestly talk to her as with an adult child and telling that I will fly to the Olympics and if my mother wins the medal there, then she will show you it.

And here, I want to note her understanding. When I was in London, we talked with her in connection, and she did not cry, did not ask to come. She understands that my mother is at work and is waiting for me. My main fan and the most important reward in life.