Tennis player Gabashvili: last year the situation was terrible, I didn’t know what to do. Teimuraz Gabashvili - Hard work Tennis Gabashvili box

Teimuraz Besikovich Gabashvili(Georgian; born May 23, 1985 in Tbilisi, USSR) - Russian professional tennis player, master of Sport. Winner of one ATP tournament V doubles.

general information

Teimuraz is the eldest of three children of Besik and Anna Gabashvili; his brother's name is Levan, and his sister's name is Ekaterina. Gabashvili was born in Tbilisi, but at the age of nine, he and his family moved to Moscow. Now the Russian and his ex-wife Maria Melikhova have one joint child- daughter Nicole (born 2012).

Teimuraz is not the only one professional sportsman in the family: his brother Levan plays basketball.

Gabashvili first picked up a racket at the age of six.

Sports career

Teimuraz began his professional career in 2001. In August 2002, playing in doubles with Alexander Pavlyuchenkov, he won the first title in the futures series. In June 2003, he got his first victory in singles in Spain. In July of the same year, he won two more “futures” in Georgia, and in August one in Russia. In July 2004, Gabashvili made his debut on the ATP tour, qualifying for the tournament in Båstad. The Russian lost his first match at the main association competitions to Olivier Patians - 3-6 6-4 6-7 (1). Three weeks after his performance in Båstad, in an alliance with Dmitry Vlasov, he won the doubles trophy at the Challenger in Togliatti. At the end of August, he reached his first singles final at the Challengers. This happened in Bukhara, where in the final he lost to Michal Mertinyak. In October 2004, for the second time this season, he competed in the main competitions of the ATP tour, having received a special invitation from the organizers of the tournament in Moscow, where Gabashvili lost in the first round.

In February 2005, Teimuraz qualified for the tournament in Delray Beach, where he beat James Blake in the first round and lost to another American, Vincent Spady, in the second. In June, he reached the Challenger final in Barcelona, ​​where he lost to Argentinean Sergio Roitman. In July he celebrates his first Challenger victory in singles, defeating Adrian Garcia in the final in Poznan. In October, he won the first round match at a tournament in Moscow, beating Gilles Muller, but in the next stage he lost to Maxim Mirny. At the end of the season, he reached the Challenger finals in Reunion, and won the doubles draw of that tournament in an alliance with Stéphane Robert.

Russian tennis player Teimuraz Gabashvili was born in Georgia in Tbilisi in 1985. There he began playing tennis at a fairly early age - at 5 years old. When the future tennis player was 9 years old, the whole family moved to Russia. Here he continues his training. Now Teimuraz has two coaches: Alvaro Margets and Francisco Roig. However, at that time the family did not have enough money to pay for the coach’s work, so Andrei Kesarev coached him for free for almost 10 years.

Tennis player Gabashvili has many successful games and breathtaking victories and rises in the tournament rankings. Neither more nor less - as many as 10 times from 2007 to 2011, he reached the quarterfinals of ATP tournaments. And all this time in singles. True, he never managed to reach the finals. The same cannot be said about doubles. In 2007, Teimuraz Gabashvili reached not only the semifinals, but even the finals of the ATP tournament, which took place in Indianapolis.

The Challenger tournament brought him even greater achievements, in which tennis player Teimuraz Gabashvili received as many as 5 titles. But still, the defining competition in his career was the French Open, which took place in 2010. Performances there allowed him to significantly improve his rating and enter the Top 100 of the ATP rankings, where he remains to this day.

The former first racket of the country, in an interview with RIA Novosti correspondent Vadim Kuznetsov, explained why he fell beyond the third hundred in the ATP rankings, spoke about injuries and his attitude to reforms in.

Returned to futures due to injury

I have last year turned out to be unsuccessful. Since the French Open, I've been all injured. It seemed like he started playing well after a bad start to the season, moved up the rankings, and then got injured again. At the end of the season I missed almost everything. As it turns out, I have mononucleosis. I tried to play, I was tired, I couldn’t understand what was wrong, and I didn’t immediately find out the reason. Now I need match practice, and any matches are beneficial.

- You haven’t played on futures for 10 years. Was it hard to get ready for a tournament of this level?

I came to Kazan and didn’t know whether I would play or not. It was difficult to. Initially, I was supposed to play on two “futures” - one in Almetyevsk, the other in Kazan. But I was injured again - inflammation of the ligaments. I withdrew from the tournament in Almetyevsk, I was supposed to withdraw from the Kazan one, but I decided to go here, since Kazan has a very good medical office. I would have done the same procedures in Moscow, but in Kazan I had the opportunity to practice on the courts and play with someone.

Last week I was limping, but then the pain went away and I was able to play. It said that there was no training for two weeks. He won two matches in singles, but lost in the third. The opponent played great, and I didn’t have enough match practice. I’m glad that I was able to perform in Kazan, because in theory I should have been at home at that time and receiving treatment. I reached the finals in doubles, so I’ll be coming back little by little. It doesn’t matter what level the opponent is, but it’s hard without practice.

What are your plans now? I will conduct two more “futures”. Most likely in Egypt. I’ll play there, hopefully I’ll go far, and then there will be training camps, I plan to compete at the Challengers.

- Last year you filmed five times during the match. Was this a manifestation of mononucleosis?

The condition was terrible. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't stand on my feet properly. I didn’t know what was happening - I thought it was some kind of lack of training. I took tests in Sochi, but something was wrong with the tests. And only a month ago in Spain they said that I had such a complex virus.

- Trip to Australia for tournament qualification Grand Slam Wasn't she superfluous in this state?

But I didn’t know about the disease then. I prepared for the season as planned. I had no luck at all in Australia. I'm torn back surface hips, I had to withdraw from the match in Sydney against Zhenya Donskoy. It was a smooth first set and I played well. But at one point he jerked unsuccessfully and had to stop playing. He shook Zhenya’s hand and said: “Sorry, I have to play the qualifications.” It's a shame that I couldn't perform well in Australia - I lost in a tense three-set match.

And in the following tournaments, I almost always won the first set, and then lost the second. I didn’t understand why. And in the third set the game became so fast for me that I was surprised: was everything really bad with me physically? Am I really that weak? I've never felt tired after a set. Now I know the problem.

32 years old in tennis is the top age

Some tennis experts told me that everything is clear with Gabashvili - his decline is associated with age, although you are only 32. Are you optimistic about your future in tennis?

It's difficult for me because I have to start everything from scratch. Perhaps if I was ranked 70th in the world, it would be easier. But I love what I do. I'm 32, and world number one Roger Federer is 36 years old. There are several people in the top 10 who are over 30. You can say that I’m old, but now in tennis 32 is almost the top age.

- If only I were healthy...

Exactly. You need to take care of yourself. I can play, I can play well. You need to get yourself in condition and play without breaks. If my health doesn’t fail me, I’ll be able to return to the top 100 this year. I will try.

- Did you ever think about retiring from your career during an incomprehensibly difficult period?

No, there were no such thoughts. I missed almost a year in total. I still have the strength and desire to continue playing. I need to play enough now, catch the rhythm of the game and have a few training camps to get stronger physically. And then - how it goes. I fell in the rankings and can't choose the tournaments I want to play in. I play where I can, where they give me a wild card. The main thing is to play as many matches as possible, but where is not so important.

Ready to help the Russian team if I get into shape

Talented young guys have appeared in the Russian national team. Are you ready to respond to a call if something happens, or are you done with the national team?

We have very good guys on our team. And I was very angry with them when they didn't pass Hungary. A very promising team. Andrey Rublev plays very well, there is Karen Khachanov, who is a very strong tennis player, but he needs help in the Davis Cup. The psychological pressure is very high, when you are the first in the country, it puts pressure on you. But he is still young, he will learn everything.

Daniil Medvedev plays great, there is Zhenya Donskoy, who is in the top 100. There is Andrei Kuznetsov, who, unfortunately, is injured. The Russian national team has four full-fledged players who can perform well. And if you need me, I will be ready to play. But as long as I’m in the condition I am now, I definitely won’t be needed. Maybe by the end of summer - early autumn.

What is your opinion about the Davis Cup changing its format and becoming more of a tennis world championship?

I think it's great. Everybody wants it. There will be more interest in the tournament and there will be more sponsors. Yes, there is another side - tennis will not develop as before. The matches will not be held in Irkutsk and Vladivostok, as we did before when we introduced tennis to different regions. For many this was something new. It's a pity that this won't happen, but modern world, in the world of commerce this is the right decision. I myself am in favor of Davis Cup reform. It will be a more compact, more player-friendly tournament - like the World Cup of football or hockey, which are held over a short period of time.

Reference:

Teimuraz Gabashvili(May 23, 1985 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR) - Russian tennis player. Turned professional in 2001. Master of Sports of Russia.
Father is an auditor, mother is a doctor. Born in Tbilisi, at the age of 9 he moved to Moscow. Teimuraz's brother Levan plays basketball professionally. There is also a younger sister, Ekaterina. Wife: Maria Melikhova.

Sports achivments
- Reached the quarterfinals of ATP tournaments in singles 10 times:
- Memphis, USA - February 2007, lost to Mardy Fish;
- Rotterdam, Netherlands - February 2008, lost to Gilles Simon;
- Zagreb, Croatia - February 2008, lost to Ivan Ljubicic;
- Amersfoort, Netherlands - July 2008, lost to Marc Gicquel;
- Bucharest, Romania - September 2008, lost to Richard Gasquet;
- Casablanca, Morocco - April 2009, lost to Florent Serra;
- Båstad, Sweden - July 2009, lost to Tommy Robredo;
- New Haven, USA - August 2010, lost to Denis Istomin;
- Houston, USA - April 2011, lost to Ryan Sweeting;
- 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands - June 2011, lost to Ivan Dodig;
- Finalist of the ATP tournament in Indianapolis in doubles in July 2007 (with Ivo Karlovic).

During his career he won 5 Challengers:
2005 - Poznan (ground)
2008 - Telde, Karlsruhe, Milan (all clay), Mons (hard, indoor)
He has victories over Philipp Kohlschreiber, James Blake, Igor Andreev, Potito Starace, Thomas Johansson, Xavier Malisse, Dominic Grbaty, Michel Llodra, Fernando Gonzalez, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Ernest Gulbis, Andy Roddick.
Roland Garros 2010
One of the most successful tournaments in Gabashvili’s career was open championship France 2010.
At the beginning of the tournament, Gabashvili was in 114th place in the world ranking and started from qualifying, where, being seeded 9th, he successively beat Croatian Roko Karanusic (6-1 7-63), Frenchman Thierry Asion (6-2 6 -0) and American Ryler Dehart (7-62 6-4). In the main draw, Teimuraz beat Austrian Daniel Kellerer (6-2 6-2 6-1), Slovenian Grega Zemlya (6-3 6-1 6-1) and sixth seeded American Andy Roddick (6-4 6-4 6-2 ). Thus, taking into account qualifications, Gabashvili won 6 matches in a row with a total score of 15-0 in sets. In the 4th round, Gabashvili lost to the Austrian Jurgen Melzer with a score of 66-7 6-4 1-6 4-6.
Before this tournament, Gabashvili won three matches in the main draw at all Grand Slam tournaments throughout his career. In addition, for the first time in his career, Gabashvili won three matches in a row in the main draw at the ATP tournament; previously he had never had more than two victories in a row. Thanks to his successful performance, Gabashvili rose from 114th to 88th place in the ranking.

Interesting Facts
Gabashvili became the first tennis player to use new system Hawkeye on center court at Wimbledon. This happened on June 25, 2007 in the first round match against Roger Federer. Gabashvili made a mistake in that request.

For some time, Teimuraz doubted whether it was worth telling the whole world about his personal life. And only after his wife Maria gave the go-ahead, he agreed. I think that in this case any comments are unnecessary.

Dinara KAFISKINA

Overall, everything worked out amazingly for us. Apparently, it’s really fate,” says Teimuraz. - At one time I studied and trained in Valencia at the academy. Maria is a former tennis player. I also studied there. At first we just talked and felt sympathy for each other. I was 18 years old at the time, and my friend was only 15. And, imagine, two years later we met by chance on an airplane. I was flying from Moscow to Tashkent. Of course, we realized that it was not without reason that we collided. That situation was perhaps the most memorable in my life. In general, we exchanged mobile phones and email addresses. And they began to correspond on the Internet and communicate by phone.

- What do you need? future wife did you like it?

I liked absolutely everything about it. Agree, this doesn’t happen often. Maria is very well-mannered, educated and kind. And, of course, her attitude towards me is pleasant. She, one might say, is looking after me (smiles). But I would like to point out that, of course, I follow her too. How else? I can't even imagine. If people really love and respect each other.

- What is most important to you, external or inner world?

Maria is very beautiful. But, of course, to live together, inner peace is more important. You can't be with a girl who has nothing to talk about. Even if she is outwardly the most beautiful in the whole world.

- When you made the offer, how sure were you that he wouldn’t refuse?

I admit, I wasn’t sure that I would agree right away. But, judging by the fact that she didn’t refuse, our feelings were mutual. Only, unfortunately, we don’t get to be together very often. But I am glad that my wife, whenever possible, comes to tournaments where I participate, and supports me after defeats and rejoices with me when I win. Maria worries about me all the time. Nice. She understands tennis. And this is very good. He helps with everything, but makes no comments. For this I have my own trainer. And Maria is my soulmate.

- Since your family is so athletic, you probably talk about tennis at home?

Certainly. As without it. We look at the games and discuss them for a long time...

- Do you play together?

Rarely. Once. But when we play, of course, I win (smiles).

- And it’s probably not possible to celebrate holidays together so often?

Yes. This is true. For example, we started celebrating Valentine's Day together relatively recently. Maria studied, I played. I was on the move. Even on birthdays it was impossible to be together. Only in retrospect did they give each other gifts. This is the life of tennis players. This is our job. What can you do? All holidays fade into the background.

- What do you usually prefer to present to each other?

I give what my spouse usually wants. When I found out that she wanted a newfangled handbag complete with shoes, I immediately bought it for her. And I once liked one watch. My wife wanted to buy them for me. But I refused. I told her then, it’s much better when men give gifts to their beloved soulmates.