World No. 24 Karen Khachanov shared memories of training at the Spartak tennis center during his childhood.
“I`d say during the summer, when we trained specifically at `Shiryaevo Pole`, we spent the whole day there. My parents would drop me off, maybe at nine in the morning, and pick me up at seven in the evening when the courts closed. We`d play there with all the other kids, children of other coaches, run around playing `Cossacks and Robbers`. So, it was like a camp for us, a children`s camp in a way, I guess. I never actually went to a proper children`s camp.”
When asked if he agreed that Armenians and Italians are very similar, he responded:
“Armenians and our Italians? That goes without saying.”
Regarding whether he feels he has any Italian traits, he stated:
“No, there`s nothing Italian in me. There`s more Armenian than Italian. I probably like Italy itself as a country – it`s very diverse, with different mentalities, cultures, and food in different regions. And, honestly, there are many places I haven`t been yet. I`d like to travel there with Veronika [his wife], with the kids, or just the two of us. See the Amalfi Coast, which many people recommend, Capri, Sicily.”
“There are so many places we haven`t visited. Rome is one of those places and cities with a great history. You always enjoy coming here not just for the tournament; it`s nice to just walk around, spend a `Roman holiday`, so to speak, that would be great. But, again, the focus is currently on the tournament. It`s also a great tournament here, so I always enjoy playing.”
Asked about his favorite Italian dish and whether Italian cuisine is truly the best:
“Japanese cuisine could compete with Italian, but perhaps if we`re talking about everyday meals, then Italian cuisine. It`s both varied, to some extent, and delicious. Honestly, Mediterranean cuisine could also compete: Greek, Spanish – fish, meat. So, that`s also very diverse food. But in Italy, my favorite dish is probably seafood risotto.”
Marcus Prine