Latest news with #Russian-born
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Bublik credits Las Vegas bender after securing French Open last 16 berth
PARIS: Alexander Bublik credited a trip to Las Vegas with helping him overcome burn-out as the Kazakh advanced to the fourth round of the French Open on Saturday. Russian-born Bublik eased past Portugal's Henrique Rocha 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the final 16 in Paris for the first time on his seventh attempt, and next meets British fifth seed Jack Draper. Bublik reached a career-high of 17 in the rankings last year but had dropped as low as 82 by March 2025, blaming burn-out for his slump down the rankings. "Like right now everybody is like robots, and they're just crazy, crazy performance guys," the 27-year-old told journalists. "Unfortunately, to be honest, my fall was not linked with lack of attitude and lack of practicing. It was the exact opposite. I just burned out because I was waiting for the results to come. "You know, I never thought I could make it to the top 20. I made it to 17. Then, you know, I'm, like, okay, I have to do this and that, I have to practice harder. "I mean, work on my diet, stop drinking, stop partying. Have to be a more professional soldier, I would say, as we are in a game." Bublik said a trip to Las Vegas was suggested after his coach said something drastic needed to be done. "He's like, 'Man, if you play like this, we're just going to be out of tennis, of the conversation by Wimbledon'. "I said, 'Okay, let's go to Vegas'. We enjoy. We change the racquet. We did many things. I said, 'Okay, if it goes, it goes. If not, thank you very much, tennis'. "And it worked!" Asked if it was a training trip to Vegas, world number 62, Bublik replied: "No, Vegas, Vegas, like a Hangover-thing (2009 film) Vegas, yeah. "So it was a good three days in Vegas." Bublik said he eventually got his confidence back playing a few Challenger events, winning in Turin last March. In Paris, the Kazakh rallied from two sets down in the second round to dispatch ninth-seeded Australian Alex de Minaur 2-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 on Thursday. The Monaco-based player next plays world number five Draper who has won their two previous meetings in Adelaide last year and Queens in 2021. "Jack for me is insane. I mean, last year the guy is 40 in the world," said Bublik. "This year he is top 4, top 5 in the world. That's a crazy achievement. He doesn't seem to stop, so I mean, what do I have to do to beat him? I don't know. "I will just go there, enjoy the time, show what I'm capable of showing, and we all know what I'm capable of doing on court and then we see how it goes. This is the approach I have now." - AFP
France 24
2 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Bublik credits Las Vegas bender after securing French Open last 16 berth
Russian-born Bublik eased past Portugal's Henrique Rocha 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the final 16 in Paris for the first time on his seventh attempt, and next meets British fifth seed Jack Draper. Bublik reached a career-high of 17 in the rankings last year but had dropped as low as 82 by March 2025, blaming burn-out for his slump down the rankings. "Like right now everybody is like robots, and they're just crazy, crazy performance guys," the 27-year-old told journalists. "Unfortunately, to be honest, my fall was not linked with lack of attitude and lack of practicing. It was the exact opposite. I just burned out because I was waiting for the results to come. "You know, I never thought I could make it to the top 20. I made it to 17. Then, you know, I'm, like, okay, I have to do this and that, I have to practice harder. "I mean, work on my diet, stop drinking, stop partying. Have to be a more professional soldier, I would say, as we are in a game." Bublik said a trip to Las Vegas was suggested after his coach said something drastic needed to be done. "He's like, 'Man, if you play like this, we're just going to be out of tennis, of the conversation by Wimbledon'. "I said, 'Okay, let's go to Vegas'. We enjoy. We change the racquet. We did many things. I said, 'Okay, if it goes, it goes. If not, thank you very much, tennis'. "And it worked!" Asked if it was a training trip to Vegas, world number 62, Bublik replied: "No, Vegas, Vegas, like a Hangover-thing (2009 film) Vegas, yeah. "So it was a good three days in Vegas." Bublik said he eventually got his confidence back playing a few Challenger events, winning in Turin last March. In Paris, the Kazakh rallied from two sets down in the second round to dispatch ninth-seeded Australian Alex de Minaur 2-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 on Thursday. The Monaco-based player next plays world number five Draper who has won their two previous meetings in Adelaide last year and Queens in 2021. "Jack for me is insane. I mean, last year the guy is 40 in the world," said Bublik. "This year he is top 4, top 5 in the world. That's a crazy achievement. He doesn't seem to stop, so I mean, what do I have to do to beat him? I don't know. "I will just go there, enjoy the time, show what I'm capable of showing, and we all know what I'm capable of doing on court and then we see how it goes. This is the approach I have now." © 2025 AFP
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Bublik credits Las Vegas bender after securing French Open last 16 berth
Alexander Bublik credited a trip to Las Vegas with helping him overcome burn-out as the Kazakh advanced to the fourth round of the French Open on Saturday. Russian-born Bublik eased past Portugal's Henrique Rocha 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the final 16 in Paris for the first time on his seventh attempt, and next meets British fifth seed Jack Draper. Bublik reached a career-high of 17 in the rankings last year but had dropped as low as 82 by March 2025, blaming burn-out for his slump down the rankings. "Like right now everybody is like robots, and they're just crazy, crazy performance guys," the 27-year-old told journalists. "Unfortunately, to be honest, my fall was not linked with lack of attitude and lack of practicing. It was the exact opposite. I just burned out because I was waiting for the results to come. "You know, I never thought I could make it to the top 20. I made it to 17. Then, you know, I'm, like, okay, I have to do this and that, I have to practice harder. "I mean, work on my diet, stop drinking, stop partying. Have to be a more professional soldier, I would say, as we are in a game." Bublik said a trip to Las Vegas was suggested after his coach said something drastic needed to be done. "He's like, 'Man, if you play like this, we're just going to be out of tennis, of the conversation by Wimbledon'. "I said, 'Okay, let's go to Vegas'. We enjoy. We change the racquet. We did many things. I said, 'Okay, if it goes, it goes. If not, thank you very much, tennis'. "And it worked!" Asked if it was a training trip to Vegas, world number 62, Bublik replied: "No, Vegas, Vegas, like a Hangover-thing Vegas, yeah. "So it was a good three days in Vegas." Bublik said he eventually got his confidence back playing a few Challenger events, winning in Turin last March. In Paris, the Kazakh rallied from two sets down in the second round to dispatch ninth-seeded Australian Alex de Minaur 2-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 on Thursday. The Monaco-based player next plays world number five Draper who has won their two previous meetings in Adelaide last year and Queens in 2021. "Jack for me is insane. I mean, last year the guy is 40 in the world," said Bublik. "This year he is top 4, top 5 in the world. That's a crazy achievement. He doesn't seem to stop, so I mean, what do I have to do to beat him? I don't know. "I will just go there, enjoy the time, show what I'm capable of showing, and we all know what I'm capable of doing on court and then we see how it goes. This is the approach I have now." ea/nf
The South African
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
PROFILE: Who was Vladimir Tretchikoff?
A pinnacle work by Vladimir Tretchikoff leads Strauss & Co's September Auction Week from 16-18 September 2024. Image: Supplied Vladimir Tretchikoff was a Russian-born South African artist best known for his vividly coloured, often exotic paintings that became hugely popular with the general public during the mid-20th century. Though often dismissed by art critics, Tretchikoff's work earned him immense commercial success and a kind of cult status. Born: December 26, 1913, in Petropavlovsk, Russian Empire (now Kazakhstan) December 26, 1913, in Petropavlovsk, Russian Empire (now Kazakhstan) Died: August 26, 2006, in Cape Town, South Africa August 26, 2006, in Cape Town, South Africa Nationality: Russian-born; later became a South African citizen Early life: Fled the Russian Revolution with his family, eventually settling in China. He worked as an illustrator in Shanghai before moving to Singapore during WWII. Fled the Russian Revolution with his family, eventually settling in China. He worked as an illustrator in Shanghai before moving to Singapore during WWII. World War II: Was captured by Japanese forces and interned, then later moved to South Africa after the war. Was captured by Japanese forces and interned, then later moved to South Africa after the war. Breakthrough: He gained fame in the 1950s for portraits that blended realism with theatrical flair and bold use of colour. 'The Chinese Girl' (also known as 'The Green Lady') – This is his best-known painting, depicting a Chinese woman with bluish-green skin. It became one of the most commercially reproduced art prints of the 20th century, often adorning homes around the world in the 1950s and 60s. (also known as 'The Green Lady') – This is his best-known painting, depicting a Chinese woman with bluish-green skin. It became one of the most commercially reproduced art prints of the 20th century, often adorning homes around the world in the 1950s and 60s. 'Lady from the Orient' – The painting features a graceful Asian woman depicted with classical poise and soft, serene expression. Her attire is richly detailed, likely drawing from East Asian traditional fashion, often with floral or embroidered patterns. As with many of Tretchikoff's works, the background is minimal or shadowy, which helps emphasise the subject's facial features and clothing. Vladimir Tretchikoff was dubbed the 'King of Kitsch' by critics, who saw his work as overly sentimental and lacking artistic depth. Despite criticism, he was a pioneer in making art accessible to the masses, with his prints selling in the millions. He held sold-out exhibitions around the world, including in London and the US, and was arguably one of the most commercially successful artists of his time. Vladimir Tretchikoff spent much of his later life in Cape Town, where he continued to paint until his death. His legacy has enjoyed a reappraisal in recent years, with some viewing his kitsch style as emblematic of mid-century pop culture. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Tennis-Kasatkina dodges burnout, says packed tour schedule takes toll on players
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 31, 2025 Australia's Daria Kasatkina in action during her third round match against Spain's Paula Badosa REUTERS/Christian Hartmann TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY PARIS (Reuters) -Daria Kasatkina saw signs of burnout in recent weeks amid a packed tour schedule, and her French Open run into the fourth round has helped her get back on track, she said on Saturday. The Russian-born 17th seed, who now represents Australia, beat Paula Badosa in straight sets to reach the last 16 in Paris at the French Open. It was her best result in months after losing in early rounds in each of her last seven tournaments this year. "I would say I felt little signs of burnout or something like that," Kasatkina told a press conference. "The last couple of weeks were a bit rough for me. I couldn't find myself on court. I felt a little bit flat, like with emotions and stuff. "I'm really happy that I got back on track here in Roland Garros. Playing much better, feeling much better on court. I think that's the most important, especially now." The world number 17 said the busy tour schedule left little time for recovery throughout the year, echoing the views of fellow Australian Alex De Minaur. The top Australian player this week called for a shorter season and said he felt drained after his second round five-set loss earlier in the week. The season kicked off with the United Cup mixed team tournament in December, 33 days after the Davis Cup Finals ended in Spain, and the gruelling nature of the circuit has repeatedly come under a harsh spotlight in recent years. "I agree with Alex, because our schedule is pretty rough. I mean we have a completely packed schedule. There's no spot for anything," Kasatkina said. "I think everyone can relate that sometimes you don't want to wake up to go to your job. It's normal. We are all humans. This can happen," she added. "It can happen that the person who is travelling all around the world all the time giving their best, living the life of tennis player, sometimes can feel this feeling that he's tired. That sometimes you are just not super excited to go on court." (Reporting by Karolos GrohmannEditing by Christian Radnedge)
