First-Time ATP World Tour Winner Spotlight Andrey Golubev

© Getty ImagesAndrey Golubev received his first ATP World Tour winner's trophy from Michael Stich.

Andrey Golubev capped a dream week in Hamburg by becoming the third first-time winner on the ATP World Tour this season with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Jurgen Melzer in the final of the German Open Tennis Championships. He is the first player from Kazakhstan to win an ATP World Tour title.

Final Report

ATPWorldTour.com caught up with Golubev after his maiden title.

You just turned 23 on Thursday. Is this a little late birthday gift you gave yourself?
Yes, for sure. I really wanted to make my birthday by beating Nikolay Davydenko, but the gift was bigger than expected!
 
How does it feel to become the first player from Kazakhstan to win an ATP World Tour title?
I’m really excited; I can’t believe what happens now in Kazakhstan. I’m really, really happy to make a page in the history of the country. 
 
Coming into the final you did not lose a set and beat defending champion Nikolay Davydenko along the way for your first Top 10 win. Did that give you confidence to win your first ATP World Tour title? 
Yes, for sure because he’s a great player and a very good person; he won here last year. After that match I believed more and more in myself.
 
You came in with only eight match wins on the season before putting together six in a row this week. What did you do well to come out as champion for the first time?
After the final in St. Petersburg I never won more than two matches at an ATP [World Tour] event. Then this week I won more than two matches and won the title! I just hope that this tournament is not the last like this and that the other tournaments also become good for me.
 
In 2008 you reached your first ATP World Tour final in St. Petersburg, losing to Andy Murray. Did you go into this final with a different approach or change anything from the first one?
Today I was just thinking about the match, how I must play against Jurgen and don’t think about the final. Of course it’s two years ago now [that I reached the St. Petersburg final] and now I’m bigger a little bit [laughs] and a little more experienced so I used that.
 
You've had success on other surfaces. Now that you won your first title on clay, do you consider clay your favourite surface?
I’m a little bit surprised but I believe in my game on all surfaces so that was the key.
 
What are the strengths of your game and your favourite shots?
Serve and forehand.
 
Now that you have won your first ATP World Tour title, what other goals do you have?
Now I have to concentrate on the next tournaments. It’s going to be a very important season in the U.S. on hard court with two Masters 1000s and the US Open. So I will concentrate on that.
 
Is there anyone who worked with you growing up to help you get where you are today?
My coach helped me since I was 15 years old and other people from my team have supported me, it’s not easy [laughs]!  He believed in me from when I was young, in my game, in my potential, so thanks to him for believing.

How many years did you spend in Italy and how special was it to practice there? 
It’s been eight years already. It’s been OK because I’ve had the opportunity to become a tennis player. It’s a good club, it’s close to Turin, and it’s not a big city so I can relax from the travelling. We have clay courts, outdoor greenset, indoor and we made grass courts especially from London. 
 
What are your interests and hobbies away from tennis?
I like meeting friends, staying with my family, my brother. I’m a home person, I like to stay in front of the TV [laughs], but I have more interests. I like all sports, football, basketball.