Home Blog Page 16

What is the best way to apologise in English?

English Mag
-
0

If you have been to England, I’m sure you have experienced English politeness. In England, people apologise a lot.  Have you ever stepped on someone’s foot and the other person says sorry before you?! I suppose they feel sorry that their foot was in your way!
There are many different ways to say sorry in English depending on the situation, who you are apologising to and how you are feeling.

1. “Sorry”
This is a very common, simple apology and there are many situations we can use it in. For example,
– when we bump into someone on the street (“Sorry!”)
– when we know we have done something wrong (e.g. “Sorry I’m late”)
This is a weak apology so don’t use it if you have done something very wrong – it won’t sound strong enough!

2. I’m so / very / extremely / terribly sorry
This is similar to “sorry” but adding an extra word makes the meaning stronger. For example: “I’m so sorry I didn’t come to your party yesterday.”“I can’t believe I forgot the tickets. I’m terribly sorry!”

3. How careless of me!
This phrase is used when we criticise ourselves for making a mistake. For example: “I just broke a glass, how careless of me! I’ll buy you a new one.”

4.  I shouldn’t have…
We use this when we realise that we have done something that we shouldn’t have done and now we regret it. For example: “I shouldn’t have shouted at you last night. I didn’t mean what I said.”

5.  Please accept my (sincere) apologies
This is a very formal way of apologising, especially when the word ‘sincere’ is included. It is usually used in formal letters. For example: “Please accept my sincere apologies for the mistake. We will refund the money to your account immediately.”

It’s very important to know how to apologise in all languages and cultures. Moreover, everyone makes mistakes. Now you know how to say sorry in almost any situation… and if these phrases do not work, you can always send flowers! :)
And, the best advice, be cheerful, positive and keep smiling =)

Ps… want to travel to UK cheap?

This summer we organise a trip to England.
If you want to go and study English in our group, write us. We will explain everything in detail.
vk.com/english_mag

P.S. By the way, use Promo phrase «EnglishMag5» and get 10% of your tuition costs!

Travel to UK cheap

Below, you can read a special interview with Adam Bartosik, Head of Sales and Marketing (Bloomsbury International UK Ltd)

Free e-books for learning English

How can I get to…?

English Mag
-
0

Jana: Excuse me. Do you know how to get to the Campus Center?

Lucía: Yes, I do. Go straight on this path. At the big brick building, take a left. Walk on that path for about a minute. The Campus Center is on the right. It’s a big white building.

Jana: Great! Thank you so much. Do you also know where the Burton Conference Hall is? It’s located somewhere inside the Campus Center.

Lucía: I’m not exactly sure. But my roommate and I are heading there now. Do you want to come with us?

Jana: That would be great!

Lucía: By the way, I’m Lucía, and this is my roommate Akinyi. We’re exchange students for the fall semester.

Jana: I am too! My name is Jana. It’s nice to meet you both.

Lucía and Akinyi: It’s nice to meet you too.

English Punctuation Rules: commas

English Mag
-
0
English Punctuation Rules: commas

The Oxford English Dictionary defines punctuation as “The marks, such as full stop, comma, and brackets, used in writing to separate sentences and their elements and to clarify meaning”.

Оксфордский английский словарь определяет пунктуацию как «Знаки, такие как точка, запятая, и кавычки, используемые в письме для  разделения предложений и их элементов и для разъяснения смысла».

This is all well and good, but actually, using commas accurately is one of the key elements to avoid misunderstandings.
A prime example of this is:
Let’s eat, grandma!
Now try it without the comma. I’m not really sure how tasty grandma would be!

Это всё правильно и хорошо, но вообще использование запятых – как раз один из ключевых элементов, позволяющих избежать недоразумений.
Простой пример такого недоразумения:
Идём кушать, бабушка!
Теперь попробуйте без запятой. Я не уверена, насколько вкусной может быть бабушка.

The commas can be used:
1. To separate the list:
Listing commas are used in sentences to avoid repeating the conjunctions and/or, or separate a list of adjectives or nouns.
E.g.: I enjoy reading newspapers, magazines and books.
After work, she had a large, hot, tasty bowl of soup.

Запятые могут ставиться:
1. Для разделения перечня.
Запятые используются в предложениях, чтобы избежать повторения союзов и / или, или отделить последовательность прилагательных или существительных.
Например: Я наслаждаюсь чтением газет, журналов и книг.
После работы у неё была большая, горячая, вкусная миска с супом.

2. To separate actions:
E.g.: The Prime Minister walked into the room, sat down, looked around the room and smiled.

2. Для разделения действий.
Например: Премьер-министр вошёл в комнату, сел, осмотрел комнату и улыбнулся.

3. With addresses and numbers:
In addresses, we separate the street address, the city and the county with a comma.
E.g.: 204 Mayflower Road, Poole, Dorset.
With numbers, we use commas, not full stops, to separate the thousands from the hundreds. E.g.: 672,948.
In relative clauses using “which”:
E.g.: “Django,” which was directed by Quentin Tarantino, is an extraordinary film.

3. С адресами и числами.
В адресе мы разделяем адрес улицы, город и страну запятыми.
Например: 204 Mayflower Road, Poole, Dorset.
С числами мы используем запятые, а не точки, чтобы отделить тысячи от сотен. Например: 672,948.
В относительных предложениях с “which”:
Например: «Джанго», режиссёром которого был Квентин Тарантино, – необычный фильм.

4. Isolating commas
Another way of isolating clauses or sections of the sentence (a clause, a phrase or a single word) that are not essential, is to use commas.
There are different types of isolated sentences:
with discourse markers: Fortunately, he arrived on time.
with linkers and connectors: I enjoyed the film. However, Tom Hank wasn’t that good. I think, nevertheless, that buying a flat in Moscow is a good idea.

4. Разделяющие запятые.
Другой способ разделить предложения или части предложения (параграф, фраза или одно слово), которые не являются существенными,  – использовать запятые. Существуют различные типы разделить предложения:
c наречиями (вводные слова): К счастью, он прибыл вовремя.
с связующими конструкциями и междометиями: Я получил удовольствие от фильма. Однако Том  Хэнкс был не так хорош. Я думаю, тем не менее, что покупка квартиры в Москве – хорошая идея.

5. To emphasise. 
He is late, as usual.

5. Для того, чтобы сделать акцент.
Он опоздал, как обычно.

6. When pausing.
We can use commas to reflect when a natural pause might appear in spoken English.
E.g.: The other day, [pause] while I was walking in the park, [pause] I saw Madonna jogging with her daughter.

6. Когда делаем паузу.
Мы можем использовать запятые, чтобы понять, когда на разговорном английском может появиться естественная пауза.
Например: на днях, [пауза], когда я шел в парке, [пауза] я увидел, что Мадонна бегает со своей дочерью.

7. To avoid repetition.
E.g.: I work as a teacher, my husband (works) in finance.
I ordered a sandwich, my sister a salad.

7. Чтобы избежать повторения.
Пример: Я работаю учителем, (а) мой муж (работает) финансистом. Я заказал сэндвич, (а) моя сестра салат.

8. The Oxford comma.
This is an optional comma that can be placed in front of the word “and” at the end of a list.
Eg.: The Post was written by Elizabeth Hannah, directed by Stephen Spielberg, and stars Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.

8. Оксфордская запятая.
Это необязательная запятая, которая может быть помещена перед словом «и» в конце перечисления.
Пример: К фильму «Секретное досье» сценарий  был написан Эл.Ханна, режиссёром стал Стивен Спилберг, а в главных ролях сыграли Мерил Стрип и Том Хэнкс.

PIZZA SCRAMBLED EGGS

English Mag
-
0
PIZZA SCRAMBLED EGGS

Who doesn’t love «pizza-flavored», especially applied to breakfast?

In this case, we’re talking sausage, pepperoni [1], olives, and tomatoes. But feel free to customize [2]  the add-ins [3] to suit your friends, using either one big cast-iron skillet [4] or up to four small ones:

  • 1 mild or hot Italian sausage

  • 9 large eggs

  • 1 teaspoon dried basil

  • ½  teaspoon each kosher salt and pepper

  • 2 tablespoons  olive oil

  • 20 thin slices pepperoni, cut into strips

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

  • 6 tablespoons grated  parmesan cheese 1 can sliced ripe black olives

  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half

  • 4 green onions, thinly sliced

1.   Squeeze [5]  sausage from casing [6]  into a large cast-iron skillet [7] and cook over medium-high heat on a camp stove until browned, breaking meat into small chunks, 4 to 5 minutes.

2.   Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisks eggs, basil, salt, and pepper to blend well.

3.   Reduce heat to medium. Add oil and pepperoni to skillet and cook, stirring [8], until pepperoni gets very lightly browned, about 30 seconds. Pour in eggs and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are halfway set, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in remaining ingredients. Cook, stirring a couple more times gently until cheeses melt and eggs are set, 2 to 3 minutes more.

Glossary:

  1. pepperoni [ˌpepə’rəunɪ]  стручковый перец

  2. customize [‘kʌstəmaɪz] модификация

  3. add-ins  дополнения

  4. cast-iron skillet [‘skɪlɪt] чугунная сковорода

  5. squeeze [skwiːz] выдавливать

  6. casing [ˈkeɪsɪŋ] оболочка

  7. a large cast-iron skillet [ˈskɪlɪt] большая чугунная сковородка

  8. stirring [ˈstəːrɪŋ]  помешивание

Check the Culinary Blog

in EnglishMag for more tasty recipes :)

Made for you by chef:
Karina Darbinian

WORD FORMATION FOR RUSSIAN STATE EXAM (RSE) IN ENGLISH

English Mag
-
0
WORD FORMATION FOR RUSSIAN STATE EXAM (RSE) IN ENGLISH
3416e74498548f2cb3b82ff3cdf6513c_800x616

Только для читателей журнала: скидка 20 % на пособие И.В. Хитровой «ЕГЭ. Английский язык. Устная часть. Тематические тренировочные тесты» в магазине www.englishteachers.ru/shop по промокоду XITEGE2020. Код действует до 1 июля 2020 года.

В ЕГЭ по английскому языку в разделе 3 “Грамматика  и лексика” потребуется умение использовать аффиксы для образования имен существительных, прилагательных, наречий и глаголов, включая отрицательные  префиксы  для  образования  слов с нужным значением.

В таблице перечислены все аффиксы (приставки и суффиксы) , которые могут потребоваться для успешного выполнения заданий на словообразование на экзамене.

Существительные

-er / -or, -ness, -ist, -ship, -ing, -sion / -tion, -ance / -ence, -ment, -ity

Глаголы

re-, dis-, mis-; -ize / -ise

Прилагательные

-у, -ic, -ful, -al, -ly, -ian/ -an, -ing, -оus, -ible / -ablе, -less, -ive, inter-

Наречия

-ly

Отрицательные префиксы

un-, im-, in-, ir-

For more practice check these everyday situations in English

How do I get to everyday conversations

St. Petersburg Ladies’ Trophy Blog

English Mag
-
0
St. Petersburg Ladies’ Trophy Blog

The first international tennis event of 2019 is being held in Russia!

The 2019 St. Petersburg Ladies’ Trophy is a professional tennis tournament played on indoor hard courts. It is the 10th edition of the tournament and fourth time as a WTA Premier tournament. It is part of the 2019 WTA Tour and is now beiing held between 28 January and 3 February 2019.

Today, 29 January 2019, Saint Peterburg will see the match of former number one tennis player, Viktoria Azarenka (Belarus) and our young generation promissing talent, Margarita Gasparyan (Russia) – the match should strart at 16:00

Eurosport commentator, Vadim Koltsov (t.me/ProTennis24) will share his report on interesting matches!

At the women’s tennis tournament “St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy”, which takes place these days in St. Petersburg, we 8 matches in singles draw. One of the most interesting confrontations of Tuesday was the meeting between the former number one player of the world Victoria Azarenka from Belarus and the Russian promising player Margarita Gasparyan.

На женском теннисном турнире «St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy», который проходит в эти дни в Санкт-Петербурге, сегодня прошли 8 матчей в одиночном разряде. Одним из наиболее интересных противостояний вторника стала встреча между бывшей первой ракеткой мира Викторией Азаренка из Беларуси и россиянкой Маргаритой Гаспарян.

In the last years, the two rivals were struggling with injuries, and for Victoria, personal problems were preventing to concentrate on the game. Therefore, for each of the tennis players this match was a good opportunity to feel self-confidence and go further in the tournament draw.

В последнее время обе соперницы боролись с травмами, а Виктории вдобавок мешали полностью сосредоточиться на игре проблемы личного характера. Поэтому для каждой из теннисисток этот матч был хорошей возможностью почувствовать уверенность в собственных силах и пройти дальше по турнирной сетке.

The beginning of the meeting turned out to be both nervous and persistent – both rivals lost two games on their serve, combining successful actions with gross mistakes. Everything was decided at the end of the set. Azarenka, faster than the opponent, handled with the nerves, felt confident in the game, made a break in the ninth game and won the first set with the score 6/4.

Начало встречи получилось одновременно нервным и упорным – обе соперницы по два раза проигрывали геймы на своих подачах, чередуя успешные действия с грубыми ошибками. Всё решилось в концовке сета. Азаренка быстрее соперницы справилась с нервами, почувствовала уверенность в игре и, сделав брейк в девятом гейме, довела первый сет до победы со счётом 6/4.

The second set was completely dictated by the Belarusian tennis player. Victoria found her rhythm, sending the ball deep in half courf and played at a very high pace.  As a result, despite attempts to change the course of the match, Gasparyan lost all the games on her serve in the second set, and, thus, a set with a score 6/1. Note that for Vicky this victory was the first since September 2018!

Второй сет прошёл полностью под диктовку белорусской теннисистки. Виктория поймала свою игру, направляла мяч глубоко под линии сопернице и играла в очень высоком темпе.  В результате, несмотря на попытки изменить ход поединка, Гаспарян проиграла все геймы на своей подаче во второй партии, а вместе с ними и сет со счётом 6/1. Отметим, что для Вики эта победа стала первой с сентября 2018 года!

In the second round of the competition Azarenka will play against the Czech Petra Kvitova, who a few days earlier reached the final in the first Grand Slam tournament, Australian Open.

Во втором круге соревнований Азаренка сыграет против чешки Петры Квитовой, которая несколькими днями ранее дошла до финала на первом в сезоне турнире из серии Большого Шлема – Открытом чемпионате Австралии.

Here tomorrow, read the note on the match, Sharapova – Kasatkina.

Завтра здесь же читайте заметку о матче Шарапова – Касаткина.

Author: Vadim Koltsov
translated into English by Vladislav Tishchenko
(All the most interesting and important in the world of tennis on telegram-channel Vadim Koltsov t.me/ProTennis24 )

Автор: Вадим Кольцов
Перевод на английский: Владислав Тищенко
(Всё самое интересное и важное из мира тенниса в телеграмм-канал Вадима Кольцова t.me/ProTennis24)

Sharapova withdraws due to shoulder injury

January 30, 2019 (WTA staff)
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia

30 января 2019 года (сотрудники WTA)
ST. Петербург, Россия

Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova is forced to withdraw from the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy due to a right shoulder injury.

Пятикратная чемпионка турниров Большого шлема Мария Шарапова вынуждена сняться с Кубка Санкт-Петербурга из-за травмы правого плеча.

The former World No.1 was due to contest a hotly anticipated second-round match against No.3 seed Daria Kasatkina, which would have been the second meeting between the two highest-ranked Russians on the WTA.

Бывшая первая ракетка мира должна была принять участие в горячо ожидаемом матче второго круга против третьей сеянной Дарьи Касаткиной, который должен был стать второй встречей двух россиянок с самым высоким рейтингом WTA.

Unfortunately for the current World No.29, the shoulder ailments which have plagued her during recent years made moving forward in the St. Petersburg event untenable. Sharapova therefore is still looking for her first quarterfinal at Premier level or above since the French Open last year. Kasatkina makes the quarterfinals via walkover.

К сожалению, на данный момент № 29 по рейтингу, болезни плеча, которые преследовали ее в последние годы, сделали выход вперед в петербургском событии неспособным. Поэтому Шарапова по-прежнему ищет свой первый четвертьфинал на уровне Premier или выше с Открытого чемпионата Франции прошлого года. Касаткина выходит в четвертьфинал через отказ по болезни (walkover).

“I tried to do everything possible to be able to be ready to compete this week, but my right shoulder continues to be an issue for me,” Sharapova said. “I will meet with my team of doctors over the next few days to evaluate the situation, and I look forward to returning to completion as soon as possible.

“Я старалась сделать все возможное, чтобы быть готовой к соревнованиям на этой неделе, но мое правое плечо продолжает оставаться для меня проблемой”, – сказала Шарапова. “Я встречусь со своей командой врачей в течение следующих нескольких дней, чтобы оценить ситуацию, и я с нетерпением жду возвращения к завершению как можно скорее.

“It was so special to play in front of my home crowd this week and I wish I could have continued competing in this fantastic tournament.”

“На этой неделе было так необычно играть перед своей домашней публикой, и мне жаль, что я не могу продолжать участие в этом фантастическом турнире.”

www.wtatennis.com

Review for 30 January 2019 on Vadim Koltsov’s channel (tennis commentator on Eurosport)

Novak Djokovic won 50th anniversary US Open tournament and his 14th Grand Slam title

English Mag
-
0
Novak Djokovic won 50th anniversary US Open tournament and his 14th Grand Slam title
Grand Slam tennis champion

Djocovic unstoppable at the 50th US Open tennis tournament

Novak Djokovic won 50th anniversary US Open tournament and his 14th Grand Slam title, with a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 victory over Juan Martin del Potro. Throughout the match, Djokovic patiently prodded del Potro with shape and slice, repeatedly turning defence into attack with unrelenting depth and precision to keep the Argentine on his back foot for much of the three-hour, 15-minute match.

With the crowd firmly behind him under the roof in Arthur Ashe Stadium, del Potro battled to the bitter end, levelling sets two and three after dropping an early break in both. Ultimately, the Serb was too solid.

The first “Ole Delpo” song rang out at 1-1, 30-30, started by the “Tandil 12,” and soon rained down from every corner of the stands. But Djokovic was comfortable playing the foil, and he answered with a pair of forehand winners as he went through deuce to hold.

“This might sound funny, but my nickname is Nole. When they shout, ‘Ole, ole, ole, ole,’ that’s what I hear,” he said at his post-match press conference. “I actually make myself hear that, to be honest, no word of a lie. I really do… When the roof is closed, trust me, it’s very, very loud down there. It takes a lot of effort to actually stay poised in the moment. I’m glad I managed to do that.”

WHAT IT MEANS: Djokovic is, without a doubt, back to his best – the sort of form that propelled him to 12 Grand Slam titles before his elbow injury that sidelined him during last year’s US Open. He has spent a total of 223 weeks at the ATP’s No. 1 spot, including a 122-week run from July 2014 through November 2016, and will edge closer to reclaiming that top spot by improving to No. 3 in Monday’s rankings.

After losing to Stan Wawrinka in the 2016 final, Djokovic did not get beyond the quarterfinal stage in any of the five majors he played – a barren run by his lofty standards. In comparison, he reached the semifinals in 23 of 24 majors from Wimbledon in 2010 to the French Open in 2016.

“I don’t want to think about that level again because I feel like I’m on a whole new level,” he said in his post-match press conference. “That’s kind of my approach and my thinking. I just want to create from this moment onwards the most that I can create for myself, to get the best out of myself in every possible moment.”

Now a back-to-back Grand Slam winner for the first time since he held all four titles after winning the 2016 French Open, Djokovic has moved level with Pete Sampras in the all-time Grand Slam men’s singles trophy count.

“[Sampras] was my childhood idol,” he said. “There is a lot of significance of me being now shoulder-to-shoulder in terms of Grand Slam wins with him. It’s truly incredible when you think about it. I watched him win one of his first Wimbledon championships, and I grew up playing and thinking that one day I’ll be able to do what he does. To actually be here, it’s a dream come true.”

US OPEN

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/J. Del Potro

6-3,7-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Considering all that you’ve been through this past year, winning the last two Grand Slams of the season, is it fair to say you relish these championships even more now than before?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I do. I know you guys ask me a lot of questions which were related to me, so to say, describing percentage-wise where I am now to where I was three years ago or four years ago. I feel like kind of my mindset always was not to compare myself to any other year or season because my life has turned upside down in the last couple years with so many different things, changes that happened: becoming a father twice, being away from the tour six months, getting surgery, all these different things.

If you told me in February this year when I got the surgery that I’ll win Wimbledon, US Open, and Cincinnati, would be hard to believe. But at the same time there was always part of me that imagined and believed and hoped that I can get back on the desired level of tennis very soon.

I expected, to be honest, quite frank, after surgery that I’ll be back on a high level quite fast. But, you know, it took me actually three, four months really. In that process, I learned a lot about myself, learned to be patient, which was never really a stronger side of me.

But at the same time, you know, life showed me that it takes time for good things, it takes time to really build them, for things to fall into place, so you can center yourself, balance yourself and thrive. The last two months have been terrific.

Q. You’ve experienced what it’s like to dominate in this game, yet your life has changed a lot, values shifted a little bit. Do you think about how difficult it is or how much effort you would have to put in, and if it’s worth it to get to that kind of a level again?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, again, I don’t know, and I don’t want to think about that level again because I feel like I’m on a whole new level. That’s kind of my approach and my thinking. I just want to create from this moment onwards the most that I can create for myself, to get the best out of myself in every possible moment. That’s really what I’m thinking about.

I understand and I respect the history, you know, just my career, the sport in general. The past can teach us a lot. At the same time I really want to direct, so to say, my attention and energy into the present moment.

My team knows that. My family knows that. I don’t like to talk about, you know, let’s compare ourselves to this year or that year. I just like to be here now, you know, work hard, work smart, and thrive.

Q. What does it mean to you to get to the number of Pete Sampras, 14? Your idea of getting closer to those two guys ahead of you, Roger and Nadal?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: As I said, history of the sport, I’m a student of the sport, of course, as everybody else. I respect history, everyone that has paved the path for me and all of us to be doing what we’re doing, to be part of this wonderful sport.

Pete Sampras is one of the biggest legends ever to play the game. He was my childhood idol. He was someone I was looking up to. The first actually thing I saw related to tennis on the TV was his first or second Wimbledon championship. That inspired me to start playing tennis.

There is a lot of significance of me being now shoulder to shoulder in terms of Grand Slam wins with him. It’s truly incredible when you think about it. I watched him win one of his first Wimbledon championships, and I grew up playing and thinking that one day I’ll be able to do what he does. To actually be here, it’s a dream come true.

Q. All three times you’ve won here, you won Wimbledon coming in. Do you feel that’s just an odd coincidence or maybe there’s something to it?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I hope it happens every year, same thing (smiling).

But, no, obviously winning Wimbledon was my childhood dream. I was making these improvised Wimbledon trophies when I was six, seven years old in my room, just kind of dreaming about that.

When I won Wimbledon for the first time, that has kind of opened a lot of doors, metaphorically speaking, for me in terms of my possibilities. I felt like all the other slams were kind of waiting in line for me to first win Wimbledon, to realize my childhood dream.

But I think, you know, winning a slam, any slam, gives you huge confidence that you carry with you for certain period of time. Obviously tough thing about our schedule is that we have Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and US Open condensed within four or five months. At the same time, good thing about it is if you win Wimbledon or French, then you have another slam, and you can thrive on that confidence level that you got from winning the previous slam.

So maybe that’s one of the reasons why I’ve managed to do so well after winning Wimbledon and doing so well here in New York.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about you and Rafa and Roger, this generation, putting up these numbers at the same time. Now having caught Pete, surpassed Pete, the other guys, what makes it so special?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I was talking about this before, that maybe 10 years ago I would say I’m not so happy to be part of this era with Nadal and Federer. Actually today I am. I really am. I feel like these guys, rivalries with these guys, matches with Federer and Nadal, have made me the player I am, have shaped me into the player I am today.

I have utmost respect for what they have achieved on the court, but also the champions, role models they are off the court. I think we have pushed each other to the limit every time we get to play each other. For me, that was always an ultimate challenge: to play Nadal or Federer anywhere.

I think, you know, I had to figure out early in my career, when I was losing most of the big matches on the Grand Slams against them, what it takes for me to actually kind of improve and develop my game to be able to challenge them, to be able to start winning against them when it matters the most.

I think that was one of the most important, so to say, moments and periods of my life, my tennis career, my development. I owe it to them.

Q. There were moments when you had a lot of confidence on yourself, moments where you didn’t have enough. You lost 6 matches out of the first 12. What were you thinking then, and now that you have won two slams? If you win two slams every year, when you’re 37, you would have 20 like Federer.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, your countryman Cecchinato has made me realize, you know, a lot of things after that loss to him in Roland Garros. I was very, very disappointed with my performance that day. I felt like I started to play well in Roma, had some great matches in Roland Garros, and then I felt like I let myself down a little bit there. Of course, credit to him for playing amazing match in the tournament.

I felt like, you know, I was so close to desired level, and then I just completely underplayed that match. I had to kind of disconnect a little bit. I went hiking with my wife for five days in the French mountains. We just isolated ourselves and took things from a different perspective. Ever since then, the tennis is completely different for me. In terms of results, I played finals of Queen’s, won Wimbledon, won Cincinnati, and won US Open. I guess we’ll be hiking some more very soon (smiling).

Q. People are going to think back to normal is winning Grand Slams again. Can you try to explain what has been required of you to reveal the game, the mindset from the surgery? It seems easy that you won two Grand Slams in a row, but I’m sure it’s not.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, obviously it’s not. I’m just one of the hundreds of thousands of players that are trying to fight for their place at the Grand Slams, put their hands on this trophy. I mean, I think it’s just important to see things from I guess larger perspective in order to appreciate everything that you do, to be humble in all of that success, as well.

I try to keep my both feet on the ground. I love this sport. As long as there is that flair in me, I really will keep on going. I still feel it. I still have a lot of passion. I think more than passion, it’s just the will to work and to be dedicated every day.

I know how much it takes from sacrifice and effort and energy to actually give yourself a chance to fight for the trophy. But I also see other guys. We share the locker room, we share the gym. I see them every day. I see how much sweat they put, as well, and they spend, how much time they spend on the court.

It makes me work even harder. On top of that, I have to balance my family life. I’m so grateful to my wife and my kids for being here with me. For most of you that have families, you probably understand what it’s like to be away from your kids for one week, let alone two or three. So I’m just glad that they travel with me, especially for the big tournaments, so I can spend some time off the court with them, which gives me a great foundation for, you know, the tennis that comes after that.

Q. After your loss at the French Open, here was a champion who was angry and very honest emotionally. Since then you’ve gone on an incredible run. I’m still not clear how it all unfolded.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Me too.

Q. Can you talk about what your thoughts were in the mountains.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I remember one moment particularly when we climbed that mountain. It was pretty high. We reached the top after three hours. Credit to my wife. Amazing. She’s so fit. I can’t believe she managed to get all the way up.

We sat down and we just looked at the world from that perspective, just kind of breathed in the new inspiration, new motivation.

I thought of tennis, thought of the emotion that tennis provokes in me in a way. It was all positives. I just felt like I had a new breath for this sport. The rest is history in terms of results, in terms of how I felt. I just felt like a whole wave of energy that I was kind of thriving on from that moment onwards.

Q. What mountain was it?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Mount Victoire. It was inspiration to many of the famous Renaissance painters, if you really want to know. I strongly recommend you to climb it. Some great things will happen in your life, I think (laughter).

Q. There were a lot of Juan Martin fans vocal throughout the match. When they’re shouting, what do you tell yourself to stay focused and not let yourself get distracted?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: This might sound funny to me, but my nickname is Nole. When they shout “Ole, ole, ole, ole,” that’s what I hear. I actually make myself hear that, to be honest, no word of a lie. I really do.

But at the same time, they were very respectful to me, very respectful. They’re his friends. They created a great, great atmosphere. I thought it was electrifying in some stages of the match, especially in the second set when we went toe-to-toe. I had my corner, as well. I had my fans. The full stadium got involved, got engaged, especially in those stages of the match.

When the roof is closed, trust me, it’s very loud, very, very loud down there. It takes a lot of effort to actually stay poised in this moment. I’m glad I managed to do that.

Q. Can I ask you something following on from the women’s final yesterday. Steve Simon, head of the WTA, said today he thinks men and women are not treated equally by umpires during matches. Do you think he has a point?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don’t know. I hear that first time. I don’t understand, you know, from where he’s coming with that statement.

Q. What Serena said last night was that umpires do not send off men if they call the umpire a thief.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, I love Serena, first of all. I really felt for her yesterday. Tough thing for a chair umpire to deal with, as well. We have to empathize with him. Everyone was in a very awkward situation yesterday. A lot of emotions. Serena was crying. Naomi was crying. It was really, really tough.

But I have my personal opinion that maybe the chair umpire should not have pushed Serena to the limit, especially in a Grand Slam final. Just maybe changed — not maybe, but he did change the course of the match. Was, in my opinion, maybe unnecessary. We all go through our emotions, especially when you’re fighting for a Grand Slam trophy.

But I don’t think it’s time and place really to get into other subjects. I don’t see things as Mr. Simon does. I really don’t. I think men and women are, you know, treated in this way or the other way depending on the situation. It’s hard to generalize things, really. I don’t see it’s necessary really to debate that.

I just feel like, as Serena said yesterday in the closing ceremonies, Osaka deserves to have her moment. As for Serena, she knows I love her. She really inspires everyone. To see her still being so dedicated and so committed to this sport, it’s inspiring really to me and to many tennis players, both men and women, around the world.

___
By the way, it’s great to know for Russian fans, that Daniil Medvedev was able to stop Novak Djokovic at US open 2021 in New York. // Кстати, российским болельщикам приятно узнать, что Даниил Медведев смог остановить Новака Джоковича на Открытом чемпионате США 2021 года в Нью-Йорке.

UPDATE:

Novak Djokovic’s final words after winning the record 23rd Major at Roland Garros 2023 // Финальные слова Новака Джоковича после победы на рекордном 23-м мейджоре на Roland Garros 2023

Vlasov vs. Chilemba Rematch* in Play For July 20 2019 in Gelendzhik, Russia

English Mag
-
0
Vlasov vs. Chilemba Rematch* in Play For July 20 2019 in Gelendzhik, Russia

18 July 2019, Gelendzhik
A press conference with Maxim Vlasov and Isaac Chilemba took place at the Congress Center of the “Primorie Grand Resort Hotel” in anticipation of the battle for the WBO Global title. The conference was also attended by boxer coaches: Viktor Petrochenko and Roy Jones Jr. 

* 18 июля 2019 в Конгресс центре отеля «Приморье» г. Геленджика прошла пресс-конференция с Максимом Власовым и Айзеком Чилемба в преддверии боя за титул WBO Global. На конференции также присутствовали тренеры боксеров: Виктор Петроченко и Рой Джонс мл.

The day before, on 17 July 2019, boxers had a master-class training for youngsters in Kabardinka, near Gelendzhik.

*Накануне, 17 июля 2019 года, боксеры провели мастер-класс для молодежи в Кабардинке под Геленджиком.

Anna Motova, EnglishMag journalist, visited today’s press conference and asked one good question to boxers:

Анна Мотова, журналист EnglishMag, посетила сегодняшнюю пресс-конференцию и задала хорошие вопросы боксерам:

– What do you do besides boxing, maybe some other sports? or your hobby? or maybe doing charity?

– Чем вы занимаетесь кроме бокса, может быть это какой-то другой спорт? или ваше хобби? или может занимаетесь благотворительностью?

Максим Власов:
– Боксер – это достаточно универсальный спортсмен, он должен уметь все. Есть очень много качеств, которые должны присутствовать в спортсмене: скорость, и ловкость, и пластика, поэтому я как представитель этого спорта так же занимаюсь очень многими видами спорта дополнительно: футбол, волейбол, то есть игровые виды спорта, силовые, беговые, поэтому здесь можно бесконечно перечислять, а так все основное время занимают тренировки

Максим Власов:
– Боксер – это достаточно универсальный спортсмен, он должен уметь все. Есть очень много качеств, которые должны присутствовать в спортсмене: скорость, и ловкость, и пластика, поэтому я как представитель этого спорта так же занимаюсь очень многими видами спорта дополнительно: футбол, волейбол, то есть игровые виды спорта, силовые, беговые, поэтому здесь можно бесконечно перечислять, а так все основное время занимают тренировки

Isaac Chilemba:
(Basically, all my life is around boxing. I work a lot in the gym, and when I am in the gym I talk a lot with boxers (introductory, intermediate), trying to teach them how to box, how to lose weight, trying to use them all my best practices. I pretty enjoy being at home – with my family, with friends… I enjoy playing the guitar, I can’t sing, (but I keep trying) and really enjoy how Roy (Jones) is singing… (not everything was clearly heard during press-conference because of the back rows)

Айзек Чилемба:
(Перевод) На самом деле, я действительно очень много времени провожу в зале, я очень много занимаюсь, и, когда нахожусь в зале, я очень много общаюсь с начинающими спортсменами, даю им советы, комментарии относительно того, как потерять вес (как сбросить вес), как улучшить технику. Но спорт, бокс – это абсолютно вся моя жизнь сейчас. (Ещё)я очень люблю проводить время со своей семьей, со своими друзьями. Как Рой музыку не пишу, не сочиняю, но люблю иногда играть на гитаре. Таким образом складывается моя жизнь

Facts and Figures / Факты и цифры

The fight will be a rematch of their 2011 encounter, which saw Vlasov suffer his first career defeat with a close ten round unanimous decision. That contest took place in Tusla and saw Chilemba down twice in the eight round.

Бой станет реваншем их встречи 2011 года, в которой Власов потерпел свое первое поражение в карьере с близким единогласным решением десяти раундов (10/9 10/9 10/9…) . Это соревнование проходило в Тусле, США, при том, что Чилемба дважды был накаутирован в восьмом раунде.

Chilemba has 25 victories, two draws* and six defeats, including setbacks in battles with Russians Sergey Kovalev and Dmitry Bivol, Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Colombian Eleider Alvarez and UK’s Tony Bellow.

На счету Чилембы 25 побед, две ничьи и шесть поражений, в том числе поражения в боях с россиянами Сергеем Ковалевым и Дмитрием Биволом, украинцем Александром Гвоздиком, колумбийцем Элайдером Альваресом и британцем Тони Беллоу.

For the last few years, Vlasov was riding a very good streak in the cruiserweight division. Last year he entered the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament. He was out in the first round, after losing a twelve round decision to former WBO world champion Krysztof Glowacki at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.

Последние несколько лет Власов очень хорошо выступал в полутяжелом весе. В прошлом году он принял участие в турнире World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament. Он вышел в первом раунде, проиграв в двенадцатом раунде бывшему чемпиону мира WBO Крыштофу Гловацки в павильоне UIC в Чикаго.

Text and Photo: Anna Motova, Пресс-служба | Город-курорт Геленджик and Luke Furman
See full report at EnglishMag 

Текст и фото: Анн Мотова, Пресс-служба | Город-курорт Геленджик and Luke Furman
See full report at EnglishMag

Express-interview with Dmitriy Guberniev: «Just a small matter!»

English Mag
-
0
Express-interview with Dmitriy Guberniev: «Just a small matter!»

A Winter Day is held across Voronezh, Moscow, Volgograd and other cities as Russia celebrates 6th anniversary of Sochi-2014 Winter Olympic Games #sochi2014
Dmitriy Guberniev, famous sport commentator, shared his thoughts about Voronezh and Russia in general. English subtitles will be in our VK group.

* On February 8, instead of skiing in the Olympic sports complex, a mass race was held as part of the sixth anniversary of the Olympics in Sochi https://www.olympic.org/sochi-2014 and a famous commentator shared his opinion about the competitions and about Voronezh:

* 8 февраля, вместо гонки на лыжах в СК “Олимпик” прошел массовый забег в рамках шестилетия Олимпиады в Сочи https://www.olympic.org/sochi-2014 и известный комментатор поделился своим мнением о соревнованиях и о Воронеже:

The race was held as part of the Winter Sports Day, dedicated to the sixth anniversary of the Sochi Olympics. Sports commentator Dmitry Guberniev launched and awarded prizes to the best runners.

Забег прошел в рамках Дня зимних видов спорта, посвящённого шестой годовщине Олимпиады в Сочи. Спортивный комментатор Дмитрий Губерниев дал старт и вручал призы лучшим бегунам.

In addition to Voronezh, the Russian Ski Track was also postponed in Samara, Yekaterinburg, Lipetsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Kursk, St. Petersburg and other cities. The reason was also warm and snowless weather. (News. Voronezh)

«Лыжня России», помимо Воронежа, была перенесена в Самаре, Екатеринбурге, Липецке, Нижнем Новгороде, Курске, Санкт-Петербурге и других городах. Причиной также стала тёплая и бесснежная погода. (Вести.Воронеж)

P.S. At 12:00, the winter program also begins with the participation of Adeline Sotnikova, Anastasia Bryzgalova, Maxim Kovtun and other famous Olympians!

P.S. Сегодня, в 12:00 начинается зимняя программа также с участием Аделины Сотниковой, Анастасии Брызгаловой, Максима Ковтун и других известных олимпийцев!

Dmitry, what are your impressions of (sport) event held?
This is my first time in Voronezh and I want to say I get great pleasure communicating with children. There are a lot of young people and this is great. when young people are for Healthy Lifestyle, we are confident for the country, and Voronezh in particular.

– Дмитрий, какие Ваши впечатления о состоявшемся мероприятии? 
– Я первый раз в Воронеже и хочу сказать огромное удовольствие получаю, общаясь с детьми. Очень много молодежи и это прекрасно. Когда на ЗОЖе молодежь, то мы спокойны за страну и за Воронеж в частности.

What did you like most about Voronezh?
I’m still just in this morning mood. Here we had great running competitions, ahead – the opening ceremony, but the main thing is the people. Our treasure – beautiful people, a wonderful city, a great city glorified, this is my first time here and I’m having fun.

– Что больше всего понравилось в Воронеже? 
– Но я пока еще только прибываю в таком утреннем настроении. Вот провели забег, впереди церемония открытия, но главное это люди. Наше богатство – это люди, прекрасные люди, замечательный город, город великий прославленный, я здесь первый раз и получаю удовольствие.

What is the plan of events for today?
“Winter day”, a lot will be there…
master classes by Adelina Sotnikova, Kovtun Bryzgalova, so everyone is at work.

– Какой план мероприятий на сегодня?
– “Зимний день”, много мастер-классов от Аделины Сотниковой, Ковтуна Брызгаловой, так что все в работе

And what you may wish to Voronezh? In what way can it develop further?
Well, first of all, I want to wish everyone health and to the administration of the city and the region: buy snow cannons because such amount of people came up to me because there is frost, and snow, but it is impossible to ride. And the roads could be repaired, just a small matter!
Thanks!

– А что можете пожелать Воронежу? В каком плане может развиваться город дальше? 
– Ну, во первых, я хочу всем пожелать здоровья и администрации города и области купить снежные пушки, потому что мне такое количество людей подошло, потому что мороз есть, снега нет и кататься невозможно и дороги починить, осталось дело за малым!

Watch more photos and videos in VK

Photos are below
(фото: Антон Компаниец)

Maria Sharapova Steps Away

English Mag
-
0
Maria Sharapova Steps Away

FEB 26, 2020
Vanity Fair: Exclusive: “Tennis—I’m Saying Goodbye.” After 28 Years and Five Grand Slams, Maria Sharapova Steps Away From The Game

Maria Sharapova shared her impressions of her whole tennis career

More photos from different sport events:

More photos

Maria Sharapova is the only Russian tennis player, who won all 4 Grand Slam Majors (Wimbledon, US Open, Roland Garros (x2 times), Australian Open)

How do you leave behind the only life you’ve ever known? How do you walk away from the courts you’ve trained on since you were a little girl, the game that you love—one which brought you untold tears and unspeakable joys—a sport where you found a family, along with fans who rallied behind you for more than 28 years?

Как можно оставить позади ту единственную жизнь, которая была тебе известна? Как можно уйти от кортов, на которых ты тренировалась с самого детства, от игры, которую ты любишь и которая принесла тебе тайные слезы и неописуемые радости? От спорта, в котором ты обрела семью и болельщиков, которые поддерживали тебя более 28 лет?

I’m new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis—I’m saying goodbye.

Я новичок в этом деле, так что, пожалуйста, простите меня. Теннис, я прощаюсь с тобой.

Before we get to the end, though, let me start at the beginning. The first time I remember seeing a tennis court, my father was playing on it. I was four years old in Sochi, Russia—so small that my tiny legs were dangling off the bench I was sitting on. So small that the racket I picked up next to me was twice my size.

Но прежде чем мы дойдем до конца, позвольте мне начать с самого начала. Когда я впервые увидела теннисный корт, на нем играл мой отец. Это было в российском городе Сочи, мне было четыре года, я была такой маленькой, что мои маленькие ножки свисали со скамейки, на которой я сидела. Такой маленькой, что ракетка, которая лежала рядом со мной и которую я взяла, была в два раза больше меня.

When I was six, I traveled across the globe to Florida with my father. The whole world seemed gigantic back then. The airplane, the airport, the wide expanse of America: Everything was enormous—as was my parents’ sacrifice.

Когда мне было шесть лет, мы с отцом поехали на другой конец земного шара — во Флориду. Тогда весь мир казался гигантским. Самолет, аэропорт, бескрайние просторы Америки — все было огромным, как и жертва, которую принесли мои родители.

When I first started playing, the girls on the other side of the net were always older, taller, and stronger; the tennis greats I watched on TV seemed untouchable and out of reach. But little by little, with every day of practice on the court, this almost mythical world became more and more real.

Когда я только начинала играть, девочки по ту сторону сетки всегда были старше, выше и сильнее; великие теннисисты, которых я видела по телевизору, казались мне недоступными и недосягаемыми. Но постепенно, с каждым днем тренировок на корте, этот почти мифический мир становился все более реальным.

The first courts I ever played on were uneven concrete with faded lines. Over time, they became muddy clay and the most gorgeous, manicured grass your feet could ever step upon. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever win on the sport’s biggest stages—and on every surface.

Первые корты, на которых я играла, были из неровного бетона с выцветшей разметкой. Со временем они превратились в грязные грунтовые площадки и самую великолепную, ухоженную траву, на которую когда-либо ступали ваши ноги. Но никогда, даже в самых смелых мечтах, я не думала, что когда-нибудь буду выигрывать на самых больших спортивных аренах — с любой поверхностью.

Wimbledon seemed like a good place to start. I was a naive 17-year-old, still collecting* stamps, and didn’t understand the magnitude of my victory until I was older—and I’m glad I didn’t.

Похоже, «Уимблдон» был хорошим местом для начала. Я была наивной 17-летней девчонкой, все еще собиравшей* марки, и пока не стала старше, не понимала масштаб и значимость своей победы. И я рада, что не понимала.

My edge, though, was never about feeling superior to other players. It was about feeling like I was on the verge of falling off a cliff—which is why I constantly returned to the court to figure out how to keep climbing.

Мое опьянение успехом никогда не означало чувства превосходства над другими игроками. Это было похоже на то, будто бы я была на грани падения со скалы — и поэтому я постоянно возвращалась на корт, чтобы понять, как дальше взбираться на вершину.

The U.S. Open showed me how to overcome distractions and expectations. If you couldn’t handle the commotion of New York—well, the airport was almost next-door. Dosvidanya.

Открытый чемпионат США показал мне, как преодолеть то, что отвлекает внимание, и превзойти ожидания. Если не можешь справиться с волнением и суматохой Нью-Йорка — что ж, аэропорт почти рядом. “До свиданья.” (написано по-русски).

The Australian Open took me to a place that had never been a part of me before—to an extreme confidence that some people call being “in the zone.” I really can’t explain it—but it was a good place to be.

Открытый чемпионат Австралии привел меня к тому, чего у меня никогда не было раньше — к исключительной уверенности, которую некоторые люди называют состоянием, когда находишься «в ударе, на кураже». Я просто не могу этого объяснить — но это было хорошее состояние.

The clay at the French Open exposed virtually all my weaknesses—for starters, my inability to slide on it—and forced me to overcome them. Twice. That felt good.

Грунтовый корт на Открытом чемпионате Франции Roland Garros выявил практически все мои слабости — прежде всего, мою неспособность скользить по нему — и заставил меня преодолевать их. Дважды. Это приносило удовольствие.

These courts revealed my true essence. Behind the photo shoots and the pretty tennis dresses, they exposed my imperfections—every wrinkle, every drop of sweat. They tested my character, my will, my ability to channel my raw emotions into a place where they worked for me instead of against me. Between their lines, my vulnerabilities felt safe. How lucky am I to have found a kind of ground on which I felt so exposed and yet so comfortable?

Эти корты раскрыли мою истинную сущность. За фотосессиями и красивыми теннисными платьями они выявляли мои недостатки — каждую морщинку, каждую каплю пота. Они испытывали мой характер, мою волю, мою способность направлять свои необузданные эмоции туда, где они работали на меня, а не против меня. В пределах разметки этих кортов я со своими слабостями чувствовала себя в безопасности. Как мне повезло, что я нашла такое место, где я чувствовала себя такой незащищенной и вместе с тем такой спокойной.

One of the keys to my success was that I never looked back and I never looked forward. I believed that if I kept grinding and grinding, I could push myself to an incredible place. But there is no mastering tennis—you must simply keep heeding the demands of the court while trying to quiet those incessant thoughts in the back of your mind:

Одним из ключей к моему успеху было то, что я никогда не оглядывалась назад и никогда не заглядывала вперед. Я считала, что если буду и дальше упорно работать, то смогу достичь невероятных высот. Но добиться вершин мастерства в теннисе нельзя — просто надо продолжать прислушиваться к требованиям корта, пытаясь успокоить эти постоянные мысли в подсознании:

Did you do enough—and more—to prepare for your next opponent?

Сделала ли ты все (и более того), чтобы подготовиться к борьбе со следующей соперницей?

You’ve taken a few days off—your body’s losing that edge.

Ты взяла несколько выходных и твое тело потеряло это преимущество.

That extra slice of pizza? Better make up for it with a great morning session.

Тот лишний кусок пиццы? Лучше загладить «вину» и провести интенсивную утреннюю тренировку.

Listening to this voice so intimately, anticipating its every ebb and flow, is also how I accepted those final signals when they came.

Слушая этот голос так близко, предвидя каждый его отлив и прилив, я также принимала эти финальные сигналы, когда они приходили.

One of them came last August at the U.S. Open. Behind closed doors, thirty minutes before taking the court, I had a procedure to numb my shoulder to get through the match. Shoulder injuries are nothing new for me—over time my tendons have frayed like a string. I’ve had multiple surgeries—once in 2008; another procedure last year—and spent countless months in physical therapy. Just stepping onto the court that day felt like a final victory, when of course it should have been merely the first step toward victory. I share this not to garner pity, but to paint my new reality: My body had become a distraction.

Один из них поступил в августе прошлого года на Открытом чемпионате США. «За закрытыми дверями» за полчаса до выхода на корт мне пришлось сделать анестезию плеча, чтобы притупить боль и чтобы я могла продержаться в течение матча. Травмы плеча мне хорошо знакомы — со временем мои сухожилия износились как струны. Я перенесла несколько операций — одну в 2008 году, другую в прошлом году — и долгие месяцы проходила физиотерапию. В тот день просто выйти на корт казалось окончательной победой, хотя, конечно, он должен был быть только первым шагом к победе. Я рассказываю об этом не для того, чтобы вызвать жалость, а чтобы описать свою новую реальность: мое тело стало отвлекающим фактором.

Throughout my career, Is it worth it? was never even a question—in the end, it always was. My mental fortitude has always been my strongest weapon. Even if my opponent was physically stronger, more confident—even just plain better—I could, and did, persevere.

На протяжении всей моей карьеры вопрос «Стоит ли это того?» никогда даже не возникал — по большому счету, стоило всегда. Моим самым сильным оружием всегда была моя психологическая стойкость. Даже если мой противник был физически сильнее, увереннее и даже просто лучше, я была способна проявлять упорство, добиваясь своего, и добивалась.

I’ve never really felt compelled to speak about work, or effort, or grit—every athlete understands the unspoken sacrifices they must make to succeed. But as I embark on my next chapter, I want anyone who dreams of excelling in anything to know that doubt and judgment are inevitable: You will fail hundreds of times, and the world will watch you. Accept it. Trust yourself. I promise that you will prevail.

Я никогда не чувствовала себя обязанной говорить о своем труде или физическом напряжении, стремлении добиться цели, или настойчивости — каждый спортсмен понимает невидимые жертвы, которые он должен принести, чтобы добиться успеха. Но когда я начинаю следующую главу своей жизни, я хочу, чтобы каждый, кто мечтает добиться в чем-либо превосходства, знал, что сомнения и осуждение неизбежны: тысячу раз вы будете терпеть неудачу, и мир будет наблюдать за вами. Примите это. Верьте в себя. Уверяю вас, вы победите.

In giving my life to tennis, tennis gave me a life. I’ll miss it everyday. I’ll miss the training and my daily routine: Waking up at dawn, lacing my left shoe before my right, and closing the court’s gate before I hit my first ball of the day. I’ll miss my team, my coaches. I’ll miss the moments sitting with my father on the practice court bench. The handshakes—win or lose—and the athletes, whether they knew it or not, who pushed me to be my best.

Я жила теннисом, а теннис дал мне жизнь. Я каждый день буду скучать по нему. Я буду скучать по тренировкам и ежедневной рутине: просыпаться на рассвете, зашнуровывать левую кроссовку, потом — правую, и закрывать ворота корта, перед тем как бить по первому мячу за день. Я буду скучать по своей команде, по своим тренерам. Я буду скучать по тем моментам, когда во время тренировок я сидела с отцом на скамейке. По рукопожатиям — была ли это победа или поражение. И по спортсменам, которые заставляли меня быть лучшей — независимо от того, знали они об этом или нет.

Looking back now, I realize that tennis has been my mountain. My path has been filled with valleys and detours, but the views from its peak were incredible. After 28 years and five Grand Slam titles, though, I’m ready to scale another mountain—to compete on a different type of terrain.

Оглядываясь назад, я понимаю, что теннис был моей горной вершиной. На моем пути было множество долин и обходных дорог, но виды с вершины горы были потрясающими. Однако после 28 лет карьеры и пяти побед в турнире «Большой шлем» я готова взбираться на другую гору — состязаться на другой местности.

That relentless chase for victories, though? That won’t ever diminish. No matter what lies ahead, I will apply the same focus, the same work ethic, and all of the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Похоже, это неустанная погоня за победами? Она никогда не прекратится. Неважно, что ждет меня впереди, я буду уделять этому такое же внимание, буду так же упорно трудиться и помнить все уроки, которые я усвоила на этом пути.

In the meantime, there are a few simple things I’m really looking forward to: A sense of stillness with my family. Lingering over a morning cup of coffee. Unexpected weekend getaways. Workouts of my choice (hello, dance class!).

А пока есть несколько простых вещей, которых я по-настоящему жду с нетерпением: испытывать чувство безмятежности и спокойствия вместе со своей семьей. Сидеть, никуда не торопясь, за утренней чашкой кофе. Отправляться куда-нибудь неожиданно на выходные. Тренировки, теперь, по своему усмотрению (привет, уроки танцев!).

Tennis showed me the world—and it showed me what I was made of. It’s how I tested myself and how I measured my growth. And so in whatever I might choose for my next chapter, my next mountain, I’ll still be pushing. I’ll still be climbing. I’ll still be growing.

Я очень рада, что теннис показал мне весь мир — и показал мне из чего я состою. Именно теннисом я испытывала себя и оценивала свой рост. И поэтому, что бы я ни выбрала для следующей главы, для своей следующей вершины, я все равно буду стремиться вперед. Я все равно буду взбираться на вершину. Я все равно буду расти.

1...151617...25Page 16 of 25