Ernests Gulbis.
Photo: Evija Trifanova / LETA
Ilmārs Stūriška, “Latvijas Avīze”, JSC “Latvijas Mediji”
Great opportunity to get a practice before the start of the official season – the best Latvian tennis players are satisfied with the unique match against Estonian leaders organized in Tallinn at the end of July.
On July 29 and 30, Alona Ostapenko (41st place in the WTA rank), Anastasija Sevastova (43rd), Ernests Gulbis (162nd in the ATP list) and Kārlis Ozoliņš (1133rd) will represent Latvia in the Estonian capital.
The composition of the ladies will be especially strong, as the Estonian Anete Kontaveita (22nd) and Kaia Kanepi (99th) are also in the top 100.
The best Estonian man Jurgen Zops is in the 540s, but Vladimir Ivanov is in the eighth century. Each tennis player will have two singles with neighbors, as well as three doubles and one of them mixed.
“I am glad that we can go close to Riga and play test games. I know Aneti from junior times, Kaiu is not so good as a lot older, but both are strong players. It is difficult to find motivation in everyday life now, ”said Alona Ostapenko this week, explaining it with uncertainty about the resumption of the season.
It is currently marked that the official tour of the competition will resume in mid-August.
“I want this year to end sooner. Tournaments seem to be planned, start preparing, and then say that it will not happen. I doubt that there will be a “US Open” and others, “said Ostapenko, who does not plan to go to North America because he still fails to control the coronavirus there.
Anastasia Sevastova took part in a sample tournament in the German capital Berlin this week, beating her home Julia Gerges in the first round (6-3, 4-3 and the opponent withdrew due to injury), but in the semifinals she lost to Ukraine Yelina Switolina with 6-7 (2: 7), 3-6. Previously, Nastja and Alona had joint trainings in Liepaja.
According to Ernest Gulbis, however, it is not difficult to find motivation for a tournament where you will not be able to earn rank points: “We have all wanted it, there has been no tournament for five months. I last played in the Davis Cup in February. It’s important that two weeks before the start of the season is a very good test match to understand what level you are at, and then you can work on the things you are missing. ”
He knows Estonian tennis players well and predicts interesting games.
“I trained with Kārlis, I was in Vienna for five days to be with Ginter Bresnik, he will try to come to Latvia next week,” Gulbis added.
He points out that there are five weeks left until the potential restart of the season, and this is usually a break in the off-season.
After working for five months in maximum mode, you can also burn out – you need a smart training plan: “If I train properly and keep myself at a good level, then I hope that I can play for another three to five years.” He will be ready to go to any tournament in August, September, where he can join the ranks.
“I have often played in youth and junior tournaments in Tallinn, the balance is good, and I hope to continue it as well,” Kārlis Ozoliņš, who is in the sixth place in the junior rank, described the relationship with the neighbors with a spark of humor.
Tennis players will also receive prizes for their start in Tallinn, the amount of which was not revealed by the representative of the organizers Edgars Buļs.
Ostapenko: I train and rest
It is often said that there is no evil without good. What has been your benefit in these months without tournaments?
* Alona Ostapenko: “I have never been home for so long, I like to spend time here, live a normal, ordinary life. Summer, good time, enjoyed. I train and relax. ”
* Ernests Gulbis: “This has been an interesting time for all of us, we were able to check what it will be like when there will be no more tennis in our lives – what will we do, what goals. I have left to play less than I have played, there are many different thoughts, considerations. I enjoyed time with my family. ”
* Kārlis Ozoliņš: “For the first time in several years, I was at home so much, liked it, but it is strange and became boring. We trained a lot, want to play in tournaments. Difficult situation. “
