First&Tour: Kamilla Rakhimova

Transcript

Friends, this is First&Red, episode five of our travel show. Well, from this minute on, life won't be quite so sweet for us, because our tennis columnist and colleague Pasha Kisliy has joined us. Pasha, where have you been hiding? I was gone a whole week — I was in Shanghai waiting on a visa. I applied a week ago Monday, waited for it to come through, it didn't, I waited and waited, and only now did I... So I would've been with you the whole first week, on the walk with Dasha Kasatkina, with Karen, everywhere with you. Maybe I didn't say anything, but I would've been there in spirit. And now, in the end, I only joined on January 20th. Today on the schedule, we've got a meetup with Kamilla Rakhimova — a picnic, some sipping of signature Australian wine, plus tastings of local specialties like Vegemite and, of course, kangaroo jerky. We'll try all of that together with Kamilla Rakhimova, you, and me. And First&Red. Well, friends, from this day forward, First&Red brings you only sweet-and-sour reports. Let's go! Anya, we see you on camera a lot as the journalist asking great questions to players and tennis people. Let's talk a bit about you — let's try a quick round. You don't have to answer super fast, but try to keep it snappy. First question: which player would you most want to do a big interview with? And separately, which player would you most want to have played against? Okay — big interview, Pete Sampras. Pete Sampras. Played against — Sharapova and Serena Williams. Good. Who do you think, among current players, is the most different in real life compared to how they come across on camera? Sasha Bublik. Would you rather commentate a Grand Slam final between Alcaraz and Sinner, or interview Roger Federer? Interview Novak Djokovic. So you're Team Novak? She's Team Noli, not Team Roger. Alright. Who among current players do you think has the potential to build a career in journalism? Easy — Daria Sergeyevna Kasatkina. Maybe she'll even manage it through her own blog, right? Great, thank you so much. Sweet-and-sour reports, only on First&Red. Hi everyone, you're watching First&Red. Anna Chakvetadze, Kamilla Rakhimova, and me, Pavel Kisliy. We're heading out to a picnic. Kamilla, hi. As you've probably gathered, we're going to be spending a lot of time with Kamilla today. We'll have a great time. Tell us, please — how are things going for you here in Australia? How's your mood? Hi everyone. Yesterday I played my match at Rod Laver Arena — lost, unfortunately, to Gauff. But I'm still competing in doubles, so we're preparing for that. The match is Thursday — root for us, follow along. We've got some questions for you that everyone's been wondering about — when people found out about your change in nationality, these were the questions flooding the comments. So here they come, and they're pretty sharp, to give people some real answers. Look — back in 2023 you said you weren't thinking about changing your nationality, but that time would tell. What changed by 2025? What did time show you? Honestly, the Uzbekistan federation reached out to me to help develop tennis in Uzbekistan. They made an offer. I weighed it for a long time — it was an important step for me. My whole junior career I played for Russia, but unfortunately I never played Fed Cup, was never called up — and I think that's actually why they reached out to me with this offer. I thought about it, weighed it, and decided to accept. You only get one career, and you want to get everything out of it. Plus, Uzbekistan isn't exactly a foreign country to me — my mom is from there, she lived there for maybe 25 years, and I still have my grandparents there. I visited a lot as a kid, spent a lot of time there, so I said yes. Did you think about it for a long time before saying yes? Roughly — I don't know, maybe about four months. Four months? And did you discuss it with your family, or... Did I just work it out in my own head? No, I discussed it, of course, with my family and with my team — but mostly with my family, I'd say. Though the final word really came from me. What's changed for you now — obviously it's still a short time since you switched nationality, but has anything shifted? On court, maybe? Or is everything the same as before? Honestly, there's not much of a real difference. I actually only just found out — I think yesterday was technically my first official match, because I played at the end of last year, but the Uzbekistan press office put out the news that I'd switched. I played that tournament without the flag still, and I actually won it. But at the award ceremony, the Uzbek ambassador was already there. So basically the news had already spread across all the channels, all the media. And after that there weren't any more tournaments, so yesterday really was my first match. Cool. So what's changed, what's changed... Maybe just a bit more support, and a bit more attention on me. Because when you're the country's number-one, or number-ten racket, there's a bit of expectation on you. A bit of what people want from you — more than before. Some people judge, some people discuss it, but that's just how it is. How did you deal with the criticism? Did you read the comments? Honestly, the press office put out that news right before the tournament started, and for me that tournament decided whether I'd be playing the main draw or qualifying. It was important for me to at least reach the semifinal, the final, or win the whole thing. Then the comments started flooding in, all these public posts. My coach kept telling me, don't read it, don't, just don't. But I really tried to limit it, because I had important tournaments coming up, and I tried to read as little of it as possible. You mentioned earlier that someone from the federation reached out to you. Can you tell us more — who, and how did it actually happen? Honestly, I remember the very first message came from Roda Tulyaganova. That was a long time ago — back then I wasn't even considering changing nationality. Then, sometime later, I was contacted by, I believe, the vice president. Basically, the leadership of the Uzbekistan federation changed completely — a new person came in, and they started pushing to build up tennis. Can we say who that is, or is that a secret? Sure — President Botir Rakhimov. I think he just really liked my last name, honestly. He decided, she's exactly who we need, and that was that — and from there we worked out all the details together. What obligations do you have to the Uzbekistan federation? National team duties? Obviously, playing Billie Jean King Cup now. Also playing the Asian Games, which they hold every four years as well. Honestly, beyond that there isn't much else. I'm sure they'll bring me in for some master classes, invite me to things like that, so people get to know my face too. You said it took you four months, that it was a hard decision. Why did you ultimately make that hard call, and now play for Uzbekistan? Like I said, you've got one career, and you want to get everything out of it. It was a great offer. An offer you couldn't refuse. I couldn't turn it down. Look — Sasha Bublik says the only reason to switch nationality is money. Shamil Tarpishchev says people switch because of the Olympics. Are you closer to Bublik's view, or Tarpishchev's? For me it just so happened that everything lined up. The Olympics are coming up soon too — and you also have to understand that competition in Russia is much higher. I believe in myself, sure, but we've got maybe ten other girls who believe in themselves just as much. So being somewhere at 10th-12th versus being number one, those are pretty different feelings. Look — Kazakhstan has had good players representing them too, but at the Olympics they got injured, some didn't play for the team, there are conflicts we don't hear about. How do you feel about that? People might turn around and say to the players — look, we invested in you, we supported you, why are you withdrawing from the Olympics, why aren't you playing for the national team, or not preparing properly for these tournaments? But on the other hand, we're all human, every athlete deals with their own injuries, their own problems. If something genuinely wasn't right for those girls, it's not fair to judge them for it either. For my part, I can say life is an unpredictable thing, but of course it will be an honor for me to compete and represent Uzbekistan, no matter how you look at it. Has anything changed in your preparation? I know you trained in the Emirates. Yes, the Uzbekistan federation organized a training camp for us in Dubai, everyone was invited. I prepared for Australia directly in Dubai. I also brought in another specialist to my team, a fitness trainer — something I couldn't always afford before, or bring to every tournament. Now I want to make that permanent and expand my team, given the new opportunities. After an hour's drive, we made it to a spot called Black Rock. And right now, together with Kamilla Rakhimova, we're going to — how do you even say it — throw a picnic, or just have a picnic. This is actually my first picnic ever in my life. We're going to improvise. Yes, we bought food. Well, shall we go try it, or what? Kamilla, over your whole career you've had two coaches — your mom first, and Yulia Pilchikova. You've been working with her for almost nine years now. Do they know each other, are they maybe friends? Yes, my mom was my first coach, and then she handed me over to Yulia Alekseyevna. We've been working together for maybe 12 years now. Actually, at some point they were friends, and Yulia Alekseyevna still remembers when I was in my mom's belly, when she was pregnant with me. And it turned out that over time, I first went to group sessions with Yulia Alekseyevna, and then eventually switched over fully, and we started working together completely, on a permanent basis. Not every tennis mom can step back and let go of their kid's career. Did you and your mom talk about that? Why did she make that decision? Honestly, it wasn't really that she wanted to keep coaching me herself. At some point it just turned out there was no one for me to train with in her group, while Yulia Alekseyevna had kids who were a bit stronger. So they were originally from the same club? Yes, from the same state municipal tennis school. And that's how it happened — I started with group sessions, then moved to individual ones. And since they knew each other, were good friends, they apparently made that decision together. I wasn't included in that discussion. Could you have gone off to play college tennis? I did have those conversations. That's exactly the thing — when you're playing junior Slams, college and university representatives come around and try to recruit players, offering a solid scholarship. How much, if that's not a secret? Honestly, I don't remember, but at the time my older brother was already at college — he got in through swimming, on his own, found it himself, arranged everything himself. My parents just supported that, and I think they wanted us to be together somewhere nearby, so they pushed for me to go to an American college too, some university. But for some reason, at the time, I was convinced that if you go to an American university, you can't combine it with a pro career — that you weren't allowed to keep the prize money you earned at all those tournaments, you could take it, but you had to spend it only on tournament expenses. And I didn't want that. I remember begging my mom, begging my coach, saying, give me a chance, I want to try, why don't you believe in me? So they were pushing for it? Mostly my mom, probably along with my dad, because they wanted us to be together with my brother. My brother lives in America, he stayed there after he left, and now lives in Miami. Have you ever tried it? Never in my life tried kangaroo meat. Have you, Kamilla? Nope, me neither. What's the most exotic thing you've tried? Anya, have you tried it? No, we're trying it for the first time today. No, you two are going to try it — I can't, I'm on a diet. What about you, Kamilla — what's the most exotic thing you've ever eaten? I've had shark fin soup. Shark fin wasn't very tasty, honestly. I try to avoid foods like that, they just don't inspire much confidence in me. "Truly made in Australia, since 1923" — do you know what that is? Take a guess. It's Vegemite. Correct! Nicely done, quiz passed. Our beloved signature spread — Vegemite. It's basically this stuff that... let me open it, might smell like... it's Australian, yeast-based. Also a fun little thing. There was a story with Taylor Fritz and his girlfriend, that he'd buy her tons of this Vegemite for some reason, or she'd get it for him — anyway, it's tennis-related, and it's an Australian icon too. We're going to try it all now and share our impressions. So, Anya, Kamilla, should I pour you both some, or just keep the whole bottle to myself to get through this? Check first that it's not poisoned. We're doing a tasting. Go ahead, I'll open it. Good thing there's no cork to wrestle with here. Anya, to getting acquainted. To this meeting. Oh, sorry — this really is the first time we're meeting, actually. You're fine, she's pouring generously. For you, as an active player competing in the tournament — just a splash. There we go, that's it — so people don't write in later going, "Kamilla, what are you doing?" With respect, of course, I poured you a proper amount, no complaints. No, but if you want more, of course I can pour you more, like Vanya gets. No, I don't need what Vanya gets. You don't? Just a little more? Just a touch. A little more, okay — just a splash. Alright, friends, now let's try the Vegemite that Daria Kasatkina, an Australian, apparently can't stand. I'll give you the first taste, because I can see in your eyes you're going to love it. I've never tried it, sorry. It's very fragile, I can't quite manage it. Let's spread it on the baguette properly. There we go, spread it again, take two. Look, I'm giving you a generous amount so you really get the flavor. Here you go — and for myself too, of course, I don't want to be the only one. Let's do it together. Pasha, want to try too? Sure, on some bread, please. Oh, on bread — well, spread your own then, here you go, take as much as you want, the whole tub if you like. Thank you so much. Alright, Kamilla, go first — and let's rate it on a ten-point scale. I've had it before, I actually like it, honestly. What does it taste like? It doesn't taste like anything else, really — it's very salty. Like a salty-bitter paste. So it's basically like soy sauce? Yeah, only in solid form. Pretty close, actually. I'd say a seven. So how are we rating it — a seven out of ten? No — I love some things that a lot of other people don't. Like what? Licorice. Oh, no. I absolutely adore it, but I know a lot of people can't stand it. Kamilla, what about you? I'd give it a 5. But since it's got B vitamins in it, fine, I'll say 6 — so it's actually good for you. Yeah, and everything good for you usually tastes terrible. Okay, what else do we have? We've also prepared a surprise for you — dried kangaroo jerky. Let's try it. Let's do it. Kamilla, have you tried anything like this before? I haven't tried it, but I did once bring it home as a souvenir — actual kangaroo meat — never tried it myself though. Kamilla, go first. I'll just grab a piece, but I want to try Kamilla's first. Me too? Sure, go ahead. Interesting. Fun, I like it — sorry, kangaroo. You're tasty. Just imagine. Don't say that like that. There you go — we've got a vegetarian on our hands here now. That poor thing I petted once, no — we're not murderers, that's awful. But I'll have another piece anyway, before it's gone. Alright, let's do it — it's like it's already coated in some kind of tomato-based sauce, sweet and sour, quite nice. This is the smoked version, right? What does it taste like to you? Nothing quite like anything else, honestly, first time for me. No, it's like some blend of meat with some kind of sauce — just a unique flavor, right? And here it's straight meat plus... What do you think, Kamilla — how do we rate the kangaroo jerky? I'd say an 8 — also a unique flavor, unlike anything else. Yeah. Guys, actually, this is beef. No, wait, seriously — this is just regular beef? Show us the packaging. Well, I thought it tasted good. No way — guys, we got played, sorry. Wait, seriously? We came to you with love, with trust, and this is what you give us? I was even holding it up wrong. It's just smoked meat. Yeah, sorry about that, that was just in the moment. Well, fine, let's eat then — honestly, it's decent beef. Quick, I've got both. I'm working. Guys, right now Kamilla Rakhimova is going to go through an incredible quiz round — quite possibly the best one we've put together yet. We'll keep trying to make them better, of course. With this gorgeous backdrop, the sun setting over the ocean, Kamilla's going to take on the quiz. I'll show you a photo, and you just need to tell me whether that landmark or natural scene is located in Russia or in Uzbekistan. Okay? Yes. Alright, first one — where is this? Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi... is that your final answer? Alright, let's say Russia. Russia, okay. So... correct answer? What's the actual answer? It's Russia — Bolgar, Tatarstan, the White Mosque. Well done, Kamilla, congratulations, I'm really happy for you — nervous, though. Next photo — this one. Where's this? Looks like Russia, but I sense a catch. A catch? Don't sense a catch, just go with your gut, straight away — you know the rule, first thing that comes to mind. Mountains — Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan? It's Russia — the Ural Mountains. They're not going to understand me. They won't understand you? Didn't recognize your own mountains, huh? Maybe you just haven't personally walked past that particular mountain. Alright, let's keep going, next one — where's this? What is this? Some kind of shipwreck, on sand. Feels like we're building a search query here. You said it'd be a building and a landscape — this is a landmark too, right? Yeah — it's a landmark that... see how worn down it is around it? I don't know, Russia. Russia — let's check. It's Uzbekistan, the Aral Sea. No peeking, that's cheating. There was no sea there. Well, it's behind the ship — the ship can't just be sitting there for no reason. There was no sea, it was just sand or something. Don't break the rules of the game on us. Next one, please. This one's tough. Where's this? Could be those same Ural Mountains again. Take a look — what do you think? Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan — yeah, I believe that answer, let's check. Ready? Yes. It's Uzbekistan — Tian Shan. There we go! Is someone keeping score? 2-2, is it? Kamilla's — got it. I could read on Anya Chakvetadze's lips what she wanted to say there. Where's this one? Looks like some kind of metro. Metro — no wait, it's not the metro. What is it, then? Or maybe it is the metro — see the line? Yeah, that's the metro. Where's this metro located? It just looks like a typical Russian photo. You think Russia? I don't know, let's check. You don't know either? Me? Maybe we should check you too. Russia, that's your answer — we're checking you. When it's my turn to be checked, we'll check me. Let's check you now — this is Uzbekistan, Tashkent, the Tashkent Metro. You just haven't been there yet, right? Yeah, honestly. You haven't been, so now you'll get to go — or maybe you just forgot. Or forgot, maybe. Alright, next one, please, let's look — you ready? Here you go — where's this? And the sun's already gone. Where, though? Look for a clue — maybe the Australian sky can help you out. Somewhere behind the trees, look, maybe someone's forming a letter shape in the background, who knows. Look at that woman walking past you on the left — maybe she looks like the letter R. Go on — Russia. Yes, that's it — Russia, Dagestan, the Sarykum Dune. That's what I said. We've got two photos left — two rounds, give or take. This one's gorgeous — say it beautifully. Feels like Uzbekistan. Feels like Uzbekistan — what about this picture makes you think that, specifically? Well, the mountains. Alright, let's check. Ready? Checking now... and it's Uzbekistan, correct. Well done — these are the Urungach jade lakes. Very beautiful. Will you go there? Everyone should. Take a selfie there for me. I'll send it to you personally, on Instagram. Alright, last one — go ahead, last photo. Look at this, it's a massive cauldron. With plov. Imagine — you could feed the entire Australian Open, every player on the ATP and WTA tour, from that one cauldron. Well, hang on, that would actually make sense, that's... that would be pretty cool at the Australian Open, wouldn't it? Yeah, wait, let me zoom in, can I zoom in? Everyone would line up for the plov. And the samsa too? And the samsa. Not exactly athlete-friendly food, but still good. Well, if that's really what it's like in Uzbekistan — the feeling of them stirring it with actual shovels — you'd stand there just amazed. I honestly don't trust huge portions like that, when they make something enormous just to set a record or something. Alright, go with your answer. I don't know, it just feels like the proportions would be off — I don't think Uzbekistan would cook it like that, they stick to tradition. Okay — it's Russia, the plov festival in Grozny. Kamilla, overall, in terms of percentage, you passed this test. We had eight pictures, and you got at least four of them right — congratulations, well done, you won our quiz round. We don't have a prize for you, unfortunately, but you're a gift in yourself, so thank you so much. What's the consolation prize, where are we? Well, this view — consider us the sponsor of this view. Who's the winner? Pasha. Kamilla, well done. We want to say, dear viewers, thank you so much for watching. Subscribe to First&Red on all social media. And of course, in the comments, let's write about how great Kamilla is. Thank you so much for this episode, for your energy, for your smile, your laugh — you're just a really positive person. If you followed my Telegram channel, you'd know what kind of person I am — I might've prepared different questions, but I actually didn't prepare any of this at all. So subscribe to Kamilla on her Telegram channel, Gameset Camilla, and her Instagram account — oh, what an original name you've got there. That reminds me of something — Gameset Mats, wasn't there something like that? Yeah — I was inspired by it. No way. Nice, nice. Tons of great content — exclusive stuff from Grand Slam tournaments, from all the WTA events, on Kamilla's Telegram channel. Games from Kamilla, so go subscribe. That was fun. Alright, everyone, bye-bye, see you in the next episode.