Armenia’s solely No.1-ranked tennis player receives salary – interview

By Vera Martirosyan

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s national tennis team will take part in the European-African third subgroup tournament—which will be held in Sofia, Bulgaria, on May 2-4—for the Davis Cup qualifiers. And if the squad could find a spot among the top two of the group, it will qualify for the next subgroup.
NEWS.am Sport interviewed Armenia’s number-one-ranked tennis player and the national team’s first seed, Khachatur Khachatryan. And below is an excerpt from the interview.     

Are you all ready for the next tournament?

We are training everyday.

How is the Tennis Federation of Armenia helping?

We are allocated tennis courts, balls. We are training without a charge [at the tennis club].

Will you be the [team’s] first seed at the tournament, too?

I could be the first in the beginning, and then we will see. It depends on who we will play against.

Does our team have a shot at proceeding to the next phase?

Let us be honest; it will be very difficult. Of course everything is possible, but let us be modest.

How are Armenian tennis players earning a living?

At present, I am the only one who is receiving a salary in Armenia because I am ranked number one.

Is it not sad that people speak solely about several sports in Armenia, and tennis is not among them?

Tennis is an expensive sport. This is not football; this is a single’s game where you must take care of yourself and find sponsors.

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