Shamil Tarpishchev, who heads the All-Russian Tennis Federation, still has a hot time. True, the interest in winning the Davis Cup has noticeably faded. For example, a press conference gathered such a small audience, as if the team had flown out in the quarterfinals.
Tarpishchev sat down at the table and effortlessly bandaged the lace on his boot.
“Michael, sit down on my presidium,” he waved affably with his hand when the shoes were put in order.
A middle-aged man came up to him. He was very modest.
“This is Michael Gorin,” introduced the stranger Tarpishchev. - He conducts business of Dmitry Tursunov, works with him in America. We are grateful to him for having such a tennis player.
Gorin bowed, but with no sign of embarrassment. Tarpishchev did not have them either, which they immediately began to seriously test with copper pipes.
“Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin called you,” the host set the tone. “What did he tell you?”
The raised topic of Tarpishchev was clearly not inspired:
- I was a little taken aback then. He gave an interview to the channel, and suddenly they called me.
- Okay, taken aback ... - the host entered the role of a simpleton. - After all, you probably got used to talking with the presidents.
“Yes, I say that everything turned out too unexpectedly,” Tarpishchev's face reflected perplexity. - And the president asked to hug the guys and congratulate them on the victory.
“Dear legendary general coach,” an elderly man suddenly rose from his seat. - Allow me to congratulate you on your victory ...
“You will completely destroy me,” the captain knocked off a degree of pathos.
“... and let me ask if you were surprised by the arrogant behavior of Argentines trying to influence our psyche?”
“So the guys got used to such pressure,” Tarpishchev shrugged.
“Well, then sign here,” the author of the question handed the wrinkled sheet to the legendary coach.
- And what kind of conflict did you have with Marat Safin on the first day? - inquired from the audience. - Marat then even apologized.
“I don’t understand why he suddenly decided to raise this topic,” Tarpishchev, as it seemed, was pleased with a question that did not contain praise. - I just told Marat that stop complaining about coverage, you have to play on what is. After all, nothing could be fixed. And Safin brought it to the public. When they asked me the next day about this, he didn’t even know what to say.
In addition, the captain himself explained why he put Safin, and not Tursunov, on the fifth match:
- Dmitry, too, was eager for battle. But he was in such a state that he could endure Akasuso, and he could lose. And if he lost, we would lose the athlete for two or three years. As it was with Mathieu, with Stih ...
- Tell us how you celebrated the victory, - the host again tried to divert the conversation from the business plane.
- No way! - Tarpishchev smiled. - There was no time.
“Well, we’ll celebrate today,” the host promised. - And Vladimir Putin invited you to his place? He usually invites winners.
“He, of course, can invite us,” the head of the federation replied wearily. - Only none of the participants in the match is already here. All on vacation. And then the tournaments will begin.
It seems that the president of the country missed a rare chance.
Alexey Shevchenko