Serious fun behind Pavlyuchenkova's run as semis await in Prague

Of the many lessons Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has picked up during her 15-year professional career, the most important was learning how to have fun on and off the court, and trying to be her truest self at all times. 

The 30-year-old Russian, who is enjoying a career-best season that saw her reach the Roland Garros final, win mixed doubles gold at the Olympics and rise to No. 12 in the world, looks like she is having a blast this week at the Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Finals in Prague. 

From turning up to press conferences dressed up for Halloween, to busting out dance moves with her team-mate Daria Kasatkina on court, to almost losing her voice from screaming so much to pump herself up during matches, Pavlyuchenkova is thriving on the energy of a competition like the Billie Jean King Cup and hopes to keep up her form when she steps on court against USA for their semi-final showdown on Friday. 

“This competition is very different. I have this special energy from my team-mates and from the team on the side. The crowd is more lively, everything is more lively and you have more energy – that’s what’s missing I think when I play individual tournaments,” Pavlyuchenkova said on Wednesday after overcoming Alize Cornet in arguably the match of the week so far. 

“Especially I was struggling a lot with the bubble and no crowd. And even now we have a little bit of crowd on tour but still it’s not the same. I miss that atmosphere and I think that’s important for me to have that.

“Yesterday, Dasha [Kasatkina] asked me, ‘Do you mind if I shout?’ and I said, ‘Of course, please go ahead’. I’m the kind of person that needs this energy to play.”

A special bond

Pavlyuchenkova and Kasatkina share a special bond, which has been evident throughout this competition. Pavlyuchenkova has fond memories of their first on-court encounter. It was in the Kremlin Cup semi-finals in Moscow in 2015 and Kasatkina was just 18 years old. 

“That was the first time I heard the name ‘Kasatkina’ actually. I knew she was a young Russian, up-and-coming player; she’s actually almost from where I am from. I was born in Samara and she’s from a city that is one hour away. And I was like, okay, I’ve never heard about this girl but let’s see,” recalls Pavlyuchenkova. 

“So I beat her in a tough match in the semi-finals and I remember when we were shaking hands at the net, she was so open. Normally girls when they lose they’re just so grumpy or they barely shake your hand, and she was so open and so friendly and I just thought, ‘Wow, that’s amazing; at that early age, when you lose such a tough match, she was still so respectful’, and I still remember that.”

The pair soon developed a friendship with Pavlyuchenkova identifying a similar light-hearted spirit within her younger compatriot. 

“I just love her vibe, we have a similar vibe, we’re just having fun, a lot of laughs and for me if you’re having a lot of laughs, if you’re laughing non-stop that’s the most important thing in life,” she added. 

‘I just need to have fun’

Pavlyuchenkova admits things can often get way too serious on tour and that not everybody feels comfortable bringing a lighter side to the sport. 

“I just need to have fun on the court and off the court. Even in practice, I don’t mind to have a bit of a laugh,” she explains. “You work hard but you’re also a human being, it’s fine, you’re allowed to smile during practice or during a match, it doesn’t mean that you’re not fighting or not giving your best. 

“I think some people are afraid of that, or they forget that it’s allowed actually, or at least be yourself. I’m just being myself, and that’s how I feel, that’s how I express myself; I feel like dancing so I dance. 

“And Dasha is the same. I think when she’s around me she’s allowed herself to do that a little bit more. Because I see her sometimes, I think she wants to do it but she’s not sure because nobody else is doing that. Whereas with me, she just feels more comfortable I think, and that’s great to have her around here especially.”

Tough selection decisions

The Russian Tennis Federation team is one of the strongest sides competing in Prague, with the entire squad comprised of top-50 players. 

In their 2-1 win over 2019 champions France on Wednesday, team captain Igor Andreev opted to field world No.32 Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first singles instead of the 28th-ranked Kasatkina – a decision that surprised many, including Pavlyuchenkova. 

“It’s tough decisions sometimes but we’re lucky in a way that all the girls are feeling good and playing good tennis and feeling good physically,” said Andreev. 

“Dasha played yesterday [against Canada] but also Katya [Alexandrova], she was playing well in the practices, so we thought that it was a good idea to make her play today so she doesn’t lose her rhythm of matches. Even though her match didn’t go our way but I think she played well, so everything is good.”

Blockbuster semi-final

RTF are 3-5 in their head-to-head against USA but the two sides haven't squared off since 2010. The Americans went 1-2 against Slovakia and 2-1 against Spain in the group stage this week and have a versatile roster that includes world No. 30 Danielle Collins, former US Open champion Sloane Stephens and world No. 42 Shelby Rogers. 

Team captain Kathy Rinaldi is aware of the threat RTF pose in the semis but has full faith her side can get the job done on Friday. 

“There’s no doubt they’re a very strong team, they have incredible depth,” Rinaldi said of RTF. 

“We’re going to compete hard. They have an extremely solid roster, but so do we and we’re super excited to play them and to be in the semi-finals; so much at stake. The players on our team that represent the USA, this is what they play for. They love playing Billie Jean King Cup and they’re going to leave their heart and soul out on that court.”