ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL

January 8, 2022

Karen Khachanov

Press Conference

K. KHACHANOV/M. Cilic

7-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Talk us through today's match.

KAREN KHACHANOV: It was very tight, mental match I would say in the way that Marin, I know the way he plays. He tries to play really fast. He has a big serve. I think he kind of improved and got it back from few years ago when he was serving really well and when he won US Open. He played I think similar way to that. Doesn't give you rhythm. He attacks your serve, gets free points on his serve. It was really a question after few points difference.

I'm happy that I could pull it off in the tiebreak first set, I think it was very important. That's gave me I think a little confidence in the second set, in the beginning especially. I just waited for my chances in the second set and closed it out with my serve and just one break.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It's been quite some time since you reached the final of an ATP event. 2018, Bercy. Any comments?

KAREN KHACHANOV: Yeah, I mean, you don't count Olympics, right? I would say Olympics.

Q. On the regular tour.

KAREN KHACHANOV: Even three times bigger tournament than this one, for example, in a way. But if we speak about ATP, because I think Olympics counts in your ATP finals actually, by the way.

Yeah, it's been some time. I've been in semifinals quite a lot of times, been in quarterfinals. Yeah, I would say couldn't go through that stage for a little time. Last year in Olympics, it gave me a lot of confidence because this event was really huge and big for myself and my country I would say in general in the society.

Yeah, to start the year I've been training hard. Also we won Davis Cup at the end of the year. Even though I didn't play in that particular matches, all the years before we put this work together with the boys.

I had a great time in Dubai training. I continued to work with Jose Clavet, my coach last year and a half, Spanish guy. Also I started to work again with Vedran Martic, who was with me 2018/2019 when I had great results as well. We've been working great together with them.

I'm really happy to start the year with a final already.

Q. How do you see this year as you look ahead? What are you aiming for?

KAREN KHACHANOV: I've been saying that many times lately, that I dropped a little bit in the rankings with current system. Now it's normal system again. We start the year from zero, let's say like that. I'm really motivated and pumped to prove myself, where is my level, where I want to be. Where I'm aiming to be is top 10. Let's see. This is a long-term goal.

Short-term goal is to keep playing as many matches as possible, win as many matches as possible, and to try to have daily work, daily routine habits, believe in my team and myself. Yeah, let's see where this journey brings me.

Q. The Russian players are all friends. With Andrey Rublev and Daniil having achieved what they have, how much of a push and encouragement has that been for you?

KAREN KHACHANOV: We've been growing up in together, so we were always fighting with each other at every stage of our careers from junior times. Somebody was in front, then another guy push and goes behind. That's let's say routine started from there.

I would say I was the first one who won the title, who won a Masters, was higher in the rankings, let's say like that, who broke into the top 10.

Daniil, he improved so much. Last three years he's been one of the best players. Andrey also last year and a half rised up. All of us, I think we are great players.

At the end of the day we are friends but competitors on court. We push each other. Obviously when we play as a team, like in ATP Cup or Davis Cup, it's great for our country to have so many good players at this moment. Aslan as well. He's not our generation, but still.

Yeah, on a daily basis, it would be great if all of us, we can be top 10 or even higher. That would be I think kind of record for our country and for ourselves.

THE MODERATOR: We are looking at potential matchups against Monfils or Kokkinakis.

KAREN KHACHANOV: I think against Thanasi I played once in Monte-Carlo. In this match we had bad memories because I won the match, but he got injured after that one for a long time unfortunately.

Against Gael, I think we never played in a regular match if I'm correct.

It will be interesting. I would obviously have nice chill-out evening. We'll be watching that match. Whoever wins will be interesting for me to take him on the final.

THE MODERATOR: What does it mean to you to be in your sixth ATP Tour final?

KAREN KHACHANOV: Yeah, I mean, it's good feeling. Like I said once again, I want to step up, I want to be top 10. That's my main goal, objective, right now. This is a daily work. This is part of it, to be in the final, to win titles. Obviously I want to be a big player, I want to win titles, win tournaments. That obviously stays there.

Yeah, I just happy inside once again to push myself and to prove that I can do it. It's more like a motivation, I would say.

THE MODERATOR: Have you had a chance to talk to any of the team before today's match?

KAREN KHACHANOV: Before today's match not. We've been chatting with Daniil since last week I would say. He wished me good luck here. He's following my tournament. Andrey also. He's already in Melbourne. Yeah, I send them good luck as well before each tie.

THE MODERATOR: How has your week been here in Adelaide?

KAREN KHACHANOV: So far good. Nothing to complain. Tomorrow the week will finish. I hope it's anyway already good, but I hope even on a higher note. Nothing else to add. I'm just enjoying my start of the year, first tournament. Excited for tomorrow.

Q. Your background, Armenian, you were there not long ago. That wasn't your first trip there, was it? You really seemed to have been taken by everything with the pictures you were posting.

KAREN KHACHANOV: I've been actually two times before already. It was my third visit. But it was let's say the biggest one in a way that I really had a round trip really to see some beautiful, interesting places, really get closer to let's say Armenian culture and my roots.

I said it many times that I'm half Russian, half Armenia. I was born in Russia, represent Russia, but still I'm really proud of my roots. I really feel it. I really feel big support around the world from Armenian nation. That's why I'm really thankful for that.

I had a great time out there. I met some new guys. I really enjoyed. Really enjoyed that trip. It was really for my soul, I would say.