(1) I'd be shocked if Yevgeny actually wins the Kremlin Cup...or anything, at this point.
(2) What is Yevgeny's problem with Andre Agassi? It seems like he's always making snarky remarks about Andre in press conferences. Andre is no. 1 in the world at age 33. Kafelnikov, when he did reach number one, lost six consecutive first round matches. And we're supposed to be laughing at whom, exactly?
Familiar ring
Kafelnikov to quit if he wins sixth Kremlin Cup
MOSCOW (Reuters) -- Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who vowed to retire if he could lead Russia to its first Davis Cup title before changing his mind last year, has said he will now quit for good if he wins his sixth Kremlin Cup in October.
"I badly want to win in Moscow one more time," the 29-year-old was quoted as saying by Sport-Express newspaper.
"This year, I will give it my all."
Kafelnikov had claimed five straight Kremlin Cup titles before failing in his bid to become the first person in the Open era to win the same tournament six years in a row when he lost to Dutchman Sjeng Schalken in last year's semifinals.
The Russian said he wanted to emulate Pete Sampras, who is contemplating retirement after winning last year's U.S. Open -- his 14th grand slam title.
"If I could take another Kremlin Cup, I would retire for sure," the former world No. 1 said.
"I want to go out the way Sampras did -- on top as a winner."
Kafelnikov, however, said that he was not interested in following the example of another great American, Andre Agassi, who at 33 last week became the oldest world No. 1.
"Actually, Agassi is a bad example for me," he said.
"One thing I know for sure -- I would not stick around for as long as he has. I don't want people making fun of me chasing tennis balls on the court when I'm 33."
Kafelnikov, who won the 1996 French Open and the Australian Open in 1999 as well as the 2000 Olympics gold medal, said his immediate goal was to prepare for Wimbledon, which begins next Monday.
"I'm getting ready for Wimbledon, then I will play a few hardcourt tournaments, including the U.S. Open, then I want to prepare myself for the most important competition for me this year -- the Kremlin Cup," he said.
[ June 17, 2003, 12:10 PM: Message edited by: Gaga4Gaby ]