It was really impossible to break through in Russia. We couldn't buy any balls. We really didn't have any courts, no rackets, nothing. And no people to practice with.

I could be the best looking guy in the Duma, but that's only because all the other guys are over 60.

It's too many questions about what I'm going to do, why I'm retiring, and this and that. So I answer the same question, I don't know, a thousand times.

I'm not a materialistic person.

But normally when you talk to yourself [on court] you say; 'I love you, you're a good guy, but don't miss next time, okay.'

I was very competitive. I hated losing. No matter what, I had to win.

I achieved what I want to achieve and I want to continue doing something else.