Interview of the Day - Yuriy Polskiy VP ,  Kazakh Tennis Federation

With the international calendar truncated due to the deadly pandemic only a few nations have shown the courage to take on the challenge to organize ATP events.

With the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation taking a brave decision to host  an ATP 250 event the Astana Open, it has been  the busiest of times for the Vice President of the Kazakh Tennis Federation Yuriy Polskiy.

Kazakhstan Tennis Federation in among the 19 odd nations since January 2020 to take  the first to take up the challenge to host  a Tour event.

For the past month from morning till night Yuriy has been on his feet galvanizing a young team to get things going in these difficult times.  

Organizing an ATP 250 event is always a challenge  but organizing one in times of pandemic even as half the world in shut, the challenges of restricted global  air travel, closure of embassies has all added to the pressures of getting of the block.

With less than a week left to go,  the Astana Open media team met up with Yuriy Polskiy to understand the challenges he and his entire team has faced  to put up this world class event in times of COVID.

 How difficult was it to convince the ATP to allot an ATP tour event to Kazakhstan?
 
 Ans : “The work of the Tennis Federation was highly appreciated by the ATP, as evidenced by the choice of the Kazakh capital as a venue for the tournament.  The ATP has great faith in our abilities , and the past experiences of successfully organizing one of the biggest challengers in the world , exhibition events involving top tennis icons all helped to decide  in our favour.
 
Participation of  global players ?
 
Ans : We  have players from 28  nations playing at our event in singles and doubles. It will be the last chance for players to compete in these tough times, we  have strong entry list with  world's top tennis players   Benoit Paire (26), Adrian Mannarino (39), John Millman (43)  Richard Gasquet , and our own   Alexander Bublik (49) confirming their participation . Its sure going to be a close contest.
 
Organizing an event of such magnitude in these times must have been  a big challenge ?
 
Ans : Yes , we just had six weeks to put the event together , surely  it's a very short period of time we have got to put the event together  and this was definitely a challenge for us, but we are confident that the tournament will be organized  at the highest level.  We have ensured all  the required conditions are  made  available.
 
 
What safety measures are you planning  for the event  ?
 
Ans : Given the increased hygiene safety measures during the tournament, the games will be held without the admission of spectators and within the framework of a strict protocol.
 
"In order to ensure maximum safety of the players we as hosts of Astana Open have provided for a number of restrictive measures. The site of the National Tennis Center will be equipped with special mobile laboratories for PCR diagnostics and thermal scanners, strict routes have been developed to exclude unwanted contacts between players, hosts and staff.  Repetitive testing will be carried out, ensuring safe environment to all”. 
 
We also been given stiff guidelines by the ATP to ensure player safety and we are going by the book without compromising .