Olympic vice-champions in Paris, Mirra Andreeva and Diana Schneider, shared their sports interests in an interview with `Sport-Express`.
– Diana, you mentioned in the fall that after the Olympics you were invited to a football match, to a game of `Akron` from your native Samara region. What sports besides tennis interest you both in general? And which personalities in them?
Schneider: `Right now I`m rooting for `Akron` because it`s super cool! We have such a small town (Zhigulyovsk, where `Akron` held home matches before reaching the Russian Premier League), and from there – a whole football club that reached the Premier League and plays well there. Glory and honor to them!
I don`t really follow other team sports. But I really love watching figure skating. I followed the Olympics in Beijing, and I was amazed by how our girls skated. My adrenaline rushes, I get worried! So – tennis, `Akron`, figure skating.`
Andreeva: `I agree about figure skating. I was also very worried when our team skated at the Olympics. My mom also really loves to watch it, so we переживали [were worried] together. Sometimes I also watch hockey because my dad loves it. To be honest, I don`t know any teams. But when he turns on the TV, I ask: `Who are you for – the whites or the blacks?` He answers: `For the blacks.` – `Then I`m for the blacks too!`
And from team sports, I watch basketball, and I like the Los Angeles Lakers. I`ve never been to NBA matches – and I would like to go at least once. I know that tennis players go to basketball here [in Miami]. Maybe players are given tickets. So, if I have time, maybe I`ll go on one of the days. But it`s all very difficult!`
Schneider: `If you get invited, take me too!`
Andreeva: `Okay!` (Laughs.)
– Mirra, I`m not surprised about the Lakers. LeBron James himself congratulated you on winning in Indian Wells!
Andreeva: `Yeah, totally! Actually, I specifically talked about him a lot everywhere – hoping that he would notice and congratulate me later, write something, ha-ha! (Schneider laughs.) I don`t remember who sent me a photo that he posted a congratulation in his stories. When I saw it – I quickly started sending it to everyone, everyone: did you see, did you see?! So, my plan worked!`
– Are there any athletes in general with whom you would dream of talking, having dinner, asking about everything?
Andreeva: `I would like to have dinner with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. I see Novak Djokovic here every day, he`s still playing. I know him more or less, I`m aware of what`s happening. But I would really, really like to ask Roger and Rafa something. I have never seen Federer live at all.`
Schneider: `I only watched a match. I have a photo!`
Andreeva: `And I haven`t seen anything [on the court] at all. It would be very cool for me to go somewhere to eat with them.`
Schneider: `Me too. I would also add Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi to Mirra`s list. A family couple.`
