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Mishael RudnikGeneral Director of St. Petersburg Open
Country:
 Russia |
Content:
- 18th St. Petersburg Open: Interview with the Tournament Director
- Shifting the Tournament Dates
- Hopes for Strong Contenders
- A Decline in Russian Men's Tennis
- The Path Forward
18th St. Petersburg Open: Interview with the Tournament Director
The 18th edition of the St. Petersburg Open is currently underway at the Petersburg Sports and Concert Complex. The tournament's general director discusses the reasons behind the schedule change from October to September, the prospects of a return to the old schedule, and shares his views on the state of Russian men's tennis.
Shifting the Tournament Dates
"St. Petersburg Open is celebrating a special milestone this year," said the tournament director. When asked about the schedule change from its usual slot in mid-October to September, he explained:
"It's due to the restructuring of the ATP World Tour calendar. There have been plans to do this for a while. There are simply too many tournaments, and when there's too much tennis, its appeal and significance decline. Players also need time off, which is why the ATP World Tour calendar has been shortened by a month this year."
He added that prominent events like the Paris Masters have also moved forward on the calendar, and even the season-ending ATP Finals in London have been pushed back from late November to early November. The tournament director acknowledged that the current dates are not ideal, falling between the US Open and the Asian swing. The schedule also coincides with the Davis Cup, which has made inviting players a challenge.
"We will remain in this slot next year, but we plan to return to October in 2014," he confirmed.
Hopes for Strong Contenders
Regarding the possibility of attracting top-ranked players such as Janko Tipsarevic, who participated last year, the tournament director said:
"There's a chance. To do so, we need to increase our financing. It's a challenge, but we're working on it. September also has its advantages. The weather in St. Petersburg is fantastic right now, which isn't always the case in October. Players have expressed how much they enjoy visiting during this time."
He acknowledged that the indoor nature of the tournament in September may discourage some players, as there are numerous outdoor events available. However, he emphasized that the tournament's strong lineup will be a key factor in attracting participants.
A Decline in Russian Men's Tennis
Asked about the low turnout of Russian players, particularly in the aftermath of the Russian Davis Cup team's relegation from the World Group, the tournament director expressed concern:
"The situation is unfortunate. Russian men's tennis is going through a difficult period, both in terms of national team results and tournament attendance. Having a strong local player always draws crowds, but right now we only have Mikhail Youzhny and no one else."
He acknowledged the need for a thorough analysis by the Russian Tennis Federation (FTR) but highlighted potential lapses in player development. The lack of promising young talent, aside from a few exceptions like Evgeny Donskoy and Andrey Kuznetsov, is a cause for alarm.
"There are serious shortcomings in training, motivation, and creating the right environment for players to thrive," he assessed. "I believe that environment is simply not there at the moment."
The Path Forward
In order to address the current situation in Russian men's tennis, the tournament director believes a comprehensive approach is necessary:
"When a sport achieves significant success, it means there's a well-functioning system. Right now, we don't have that in tennis. There's no continuity, drive, or ambition. Perhaps the focus has shifted too much towards financial incentives, which tennis is not immune to. In sports, representing your country and participating in the Olympics should be the ultimate goal. Unfortunately, that's not always the case for our players."
He emphasized the importance of readjusting priorities, instilling a sense of national pride, and building a strong system that nurtures young talent. "If we can do that, we can rebuild Russian men's tennis to its former glory."
