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#NextGenATP teen Timofey Skatov made his ATP Challenger Tour breakthrough this previous week, when he lifted his maiden Challenger trophy in Parma, Italy.
The 21-year-old defeated Slovakian Jozek Kovalik 7-5, 6-7(2), 6-4 within the Parma Challenger ultimate to turn into the primary Kazakh Challenger champion this season. Skatov has reached at the least the semi-finals in 4 of his previous 5 Challenger tournaments and the title in Italy launched him to a career-high No. 152 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.
ATPTour.com spoke to Skatov following his title to be taught extra concerning the rising star.
Timofey, congratulations on profitable your first Challenger title. Are you able to describe your feelings?
I used to be actually blissful after I gained the event, I didn’t even anticipate to win it. I performed only one Challenger ultimate earlier than and I misplaced it. This one was a bit shocking for me. Possibly due to that, I used to be extra blissful as a result of when you’re having robust occasions after which lastly you win a Challenger, it feels good.
The ultimate was simply over three hours lengthy, have been you nervous?
I used to be kind of okay, I used to be feeling nervous however I used to be additionally feeling assured as a result of the previous few matches I used to be enjoying nicely. I used to be comfy on court docket. There have been some robust moments, particularly within the first set, I used to be 5-0 up after which abruptly it was 5-4. For positive I used to be nervous although, in a three-hour match, you get tense.
What’s the greatest factor you’ve got discovered stepping as much as the Challenger degree?
Laborious work at all times pays off. Particularly this summer time, it was robust for me, I used to be dropping many first rounds. However I used to be at all times believing in myself. However then I acquired some wins which gave me some confidence and I simply know it’s important to work, no matter it takes, doesn’t matter in the event you’re profitable or dropping, it’s important to at all times maintain the identical perspective.
Has your success come as a shock to you in any respect?
I used to be feeling that I used to be enjoying nicely and I used to be getting near a ultimate. A couple of occasions within the semi-finals, I used to be like, ‘Okay, that is actually good’. However in my final semi-final, I mentioned, ‘Now, the semi-final isn’t sufficient! The aim is to go full!’ Ultimately, I used to be enjoying very well for a month and on the finish of these few tournaments, I acquired the win.
Kazakhstan’s Timofey Skatov is topped champion on the Parma Challenger. Credit score: Daniele Combi
You are approaching the Prime 150, was {that a} aim initially of the yr?
After I began the season, I didn’t assume something about that. Out of the blue, two months in the past, I mentioned to myself, ‘It will be good to complete the season within the Prime 150!’ I used to be type of fascinated with it and I believe it additionally helps me realise what I’ve to do to get thus far. It’s type of humorous that I’m at 152, the leap is close to and I’ve many extra tournaments to work.
How would you describe your recreation?
Earlier than I began to follow on the Lozano-Altur Tennis Academy in Valencia, Spain, I used to be practising in Russia, enjoying with Russian gamers and we have been enjoying loopy, the place you do no matter you take into account. Then I moved to Spain, the place I began working with my coach, Jose Altur. He gave me some guidelines, like fundamentals that I’ve to make use of, and the previous three years I’ve actually been studying about them.
Now, I’m attempting to combine what I had from my youth and what I’ve discovered in Spain, with a bit extra management. Many occasions I play type of completely different, I run rather a lot, I prefer it, generally it’s humorous. It’s a mixture of all the pieces however for positive I’m not an enormous server.
In your opinion, what is the significance of the ATP Challenger Tour?
It’s type of a transition tour, from ITF to ATP. First, you get the expertise, after which additionally you see how sturdy you might be. The Challenger Tour is type of like college, in the event you go it, then you definitely go to ‘actual life’.
What’s your greatest ardour exterior of tennis?
Earlier than I’d say soccer however now I don’t have a lot time, it’s actually robust to say. I like trend issues, like garments and footwear. If I’ve the chance in huge cities, I prefer to buy groceries.
Is there a second you look again on the place you realised you needed to be knowledgeable tennis participant?
First, after I was like 12 years outdated, it was time to decide on between extra faculty and tennis. After which my first time I went to the USA to play the Orange Bowl junior event, I used to be actually stunned to see many gamers enjoying significantly better than me. After that, I sat with my mother and father and my coach and I mentioned, ‘Okay, I like tennis and I don’t like faculty!’
After I moved to Spain at 17, this was the purpose the place I needed to go away from house and turn into extra like a person, and take extra duty myself, like begin practising and dealing more durable than I used to be.
You’ve mentioned that Roger Federer is your idol. What was your response to his retirement and did you watch his final match on the Laver Cup?
I didn’t see the match however I believe everybody was anticipating it when he didn’t play for a couple of yr. I used to be on Instagram and I abruptly noticed a submit from Roger and I noticed, ‘To my tennis household…’ I used to be like, ‘Okay, he’s saying bye-bye.’ It’s type of unhappy however he performed so long as doable.
Once you’re at Challenger tournaments, do you get a lot time to sightsee? And if that’s the case, what’s a memorable spot you’ve got been to whereas on the street?
After I performed on the Seville Challenger, Sevilla FC was enjoying Barcelona and we went to see the match. Then a pair days later, on Tuesday, they have been enjoying a Champions League recreation towards Manchester Metropolis. So, I watched extra soccer in two days than I’ve prior to now three years.
from Tennis – ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/8gLv4Nr
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