Marat, congratulations on your win. What’s it like to be back in Perth and playing at the Hopman?

(Marat) Oh thank you very much. It’s all a pleasure. Especially when we have a [bad word] and family team. Especially with my sister this time. So I couldn’t refuse the offer and I got to play with her. Especially the first time. And especially here. You know it’s a very nice atmosphere. Easy going tournament. And everybody’s enjoying, there’s a lot of people watching. So it’s nice to play. Especially it’s the first tournament, and the first tournament is indoors. So it’s not really rough and you can practise here and outdoors. It’s a really pleasant atmosphere.

It’s pretty much straight off the plane and onto the courts. How are you feeling physically?

(Marat) Well, [bad word] a little bit. I’ve been flying forever and we arrived very late last night. So I’ll keep on practising a lot. Yes, and yes we warmed up a little bit today, and I actually played my match. And of course it’s tough to play your best tennis, especially when you are just flying for such a long time. It’s difficult to move, difficult to serve, difficult to basically whole thing. Just [bad word] to play and to play good tennis.

There’s been a lot of talk about, you know, possible retirement. So what sort of motivation are you carrying into this year then?

(Marat) Well, just it’s probably going to be my last year this year for sure. Because I’m moving to my new life, so I’m not quite sure, that’s why I’m playing. It’s easy for me to play, play good tennis. So hopefully I can enjoy it, and get me some great results. 

What do you have lined up?

(Marat) Huh?

After your tennis career?

(Marat) Well, I leave it, I leave it up to me. You know I don’t wanna speak really about it, and just my bosses they know about it. And I wanna do it this way. You’ll see, you’ll see me.

Is this time probably your last time on the tour? 

(Marat) Yeah most, most probably yes. 

Marat, can we ask you how you damaged your eyes? Or how you got…

(Marat) Working hard. Practising hard. 

You indicated that there were some problems in Moscow, or…

(Marat) Yeah well, just some small problem that I wasn’t, I wasn’t in the right place at the right time. So let’s put it at that.

Did you win the fight?

(Marat) Ah yes. I won the fight.

Marat, we see your thumb is injured as well. Was that injured in the same incident?

(Marat) Yep.

And is that ok? Did that…

(Marat) I’m, I’m good. I’m ok. 

How long ago did the incident happen?

(Marat) week ago.

How are you feeling out on the court? Does it affect your vision at all?

(Marat) No, I won my match. I didn’t play for two months, so I think it’s pretty good. It’s a pretty good match. [pause] Any questions for my sister?

Just, sorry Marat, one more on yourself. This will be your last Australian Open, obviously a tournament that you’ve won. How, what sort of a chance do you give yourself there, especially with the good preparation here if you continue to do well this week? 

(Marat) Well, we’ll see. You know it’s still two weeks to go and I need to prepare myself a little bit more. And I’m still looking forward to play well there. And I’m looking forward to have a good draw. It’s very poor in there, and a couple of, two, a couple after two rounds I would prefer to play over there with somebody who can give me some pace and so I can get used to the courts and the conditions. And then afterwards there’s third round, third round would be already I can play with somebody, play a tough one. But first rounds I would love to be easy, to have easy. As any other player for sure.

Obviously you’ve show