Maria’s interview on Sport-Express.ru

Interview by Vladas Lasitskas to read in russian on Sport-Express.ru

Maria, how can you evaluate your first match in Sydney?
I won it and it’s all that matters, so I was very happy (laughs). Although any start of the Grand Slam tournament , especially early in the season, is difficult. Also it was windy on the court today. And the wind was constantly changing direction, it took some time to find my game and its rhythm. When I got it, everything went right.

How was your preparation for the season?
I worked on the usual plan, changing only the place of training. This time it was in Moscow, at CSKA and on the courts of one club on Rublevka, where I was given a very good condition to train. Of course, the season is just beginning, and to assess the work carried out is still difficult. But I feel good enough – both physically and in terms of pure tennis.

You went to his first tournament of the season in Sydney after the New Year’s eve. Don’t you think that such a late arrival in Australia is a risky business?
I knew what I was doing and realized that the first few days would be hard. But we had already decided to celebrate the New Year at home together. Besides the tournament in Sydney I traditionally see as a preparatory competition and never really performed well there. However this year I passed the starting round, even that for me is an achievement (laughs). And then there was enough time to properly acclimatize and prepare for the Australian Open.

« I said yes immediately »

Your engagement with Alexander Ovechkin, which became known in the last day of 2012, provoked a flurry of responses. Can you share with us some details?
In principle, Sasha and I were planning to announce our engagement early. But then we decided that the most appropriate date will be December 31st. Our parents met that evening together to celebrate the New Year, and we presented them with a surprise. Sasha announced to everyone that we decided to get married.

Did he ask your parents permission?
We are dating for over one year. In the summer Sasha traveled with me to tournaments and communicated with my dad very closely. And when we got home, he met my mother. There was at once a mutual understanding. I think his parents liked me. In general, the relationship between all of us have developed wonderfully, everything went smoothly enough, and eventually led to our engagement.

So you were not pondered for too long to give the answer to Ovechkin?
Honestly, I said yes immediately. From the very beginning there were strong feelings between me and Sasha, so it would make no sense to show off (laughs).

Do you play the games wearing the ring he gave you?
Not really. I take off the ring because it interferes with my play a bit. It’s hard hold the racket.

« We think about the date of the wedding right now »

Have you set a date for the marriage?
Not yet. I went to Australia almost immediately after the engagement. And Sasha later went to America, as the NHL lockout ended. But we think about the date of the wedding right now.

Do you want to organize it this year?
We’ll see. All things are possible (laughs).

Admit it, when it became known that the NHL lockout ended, were you happy or upset?
We both spent a lot of time in Moscow, and it was good. I was home for the past two months, which to me is very rare (smiling). It was interesting to watch the KHL games. Probably Sasha got some experience as well. He liked to play at home, in the presence of relatives and friends. Still it was clear that the lockout would end sooner or later.

Now, between tournaments, will you go back not to Moscow, but to Washington?
Yes, of course.

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