BTRussia: This year Israel hosts the European BT Championships, tell us more about the place and about idea to hold such a major event in Eilat?

Alexander: I don’t have some official position, just help our Association in everything connected with beach tennis in Israel and participate directly in the organization of the European Championships, where I’m going to manage digital stuff (live score, scoreboard on the court and possibly video stream).
Also I help to players from the Haifa district, so they even call me a coach. As long as I don’t have a basic education in sport, I’m trying to avoid this honorary title. Just love beach tennis and share my knowledge and energy with others.

After the Team World Championships 2014 in Moscow Anna Kaplevich and me realized that Israel can host and organize the competition of international level and of large caliber. And somehow I managed to convince the Executive Director of the National Tennis Association Pavel Lisovtsev. Actually I did not expect such a quick success.

BTRussia: People say it's a beautiful seaside with good infrastructure, so tell us what should we expect of the beach of Eilat?

Alexander: It’s true, Eilat is a beautiful resort: clean sea, fish and corals, sand and warm water, and we have fantastic panoramic view of the rose-red mountains. Also want to note that municipality guys who responsible for Championships are the sport people, they give us full support. The NTA have a strong relationship with the Eilat’s municipality: 3 FedCup in the recent past, dozens of tennis tournaments, and in 2016 the tennis FedCup comes back to us again.

What do we have for players? 8 courts (plus 2 training courts) at the central beach in the heart of the resort, relaxation area for participants in two meters from the sea, sun lounges, umbrellas, friendly security guard, internet, scoreboards, livescore, place for the spectators. And there are plenty of nice ideas of little things, but let them keep as pleasant surprise for players and captains for now.

BTRussia: The most popular complaint on the big tournaments is about training courts, water and ice for the athletes. As I can see, you’ve got courts, but what about water on the European Championships 2015?

Alexander: This is the easiest question. Israel is hot country, dehydration occurs very quickly (and Eilat, in addition, is located on the edge of the Negev desert). People have to drink a lot, especially athletes. The organizers of the tournament are the people directly involved with the sport, and well aware of the need in enough water to participants of the tournament.

Therefore, the water:

a) will be on courts;
b) will be cold;
c) will be free;
d) and enough for all.

BTRussia: It is not the best economic and political situation in Europe now and some teams are in financial trouble with a trip to EC, and some of them even express concerns about Israel's security…

Alexander: Of Course, we upset about low representation from participating countries. We have contacted all relevant and responsible persons from the world of beach tennis in Europe, and these are the main reasons for non-participation: costs and safety, and also not a very good time (Europe returned from holidays and it is difficult for athletes to get permission at work).

"Money". First, the cost depends on the geographical distance of Israel. Secondly, Israel is quite painless to have survived the recent economic crises. The shekel is one of the most stable and expensive currency in the world market. For us is a payment for economic stability, but for players it means nothing, I can get it. From our side we will try to do our best to justify their costs.

"Security". It would be unfair to say: "No probs!", but I prefer to give the facts, and let to make decision on your own. The conflict is real: in the past, present and unfortunately in the near future. The development of the conflict is very similar to volcano Etna, if such a comparison is appropriate here: it lives in phases - from dangerous to invisible. At the moment I recommend to avoid only Jerusalem, but Haifa, Tel-Aviv, and especially Eilat are quiet and nice places.

I will give you some facts:

1) The ITF and other tennis international authorities monitor potential threats to life and health of the athletes, being in contact with the national tennis association, and in any case of real risk, they could cancel any tournaments.
2) Recently the ITF decided on conducting in Eilat next tournament of the Federation Cup in February 2016.
3) A little-known but important fact is the Israel’s resort security is provided not only by Israel but also by the authorities of the neighboring Egypt and Jordan,which have their resorts close to us, bringing a very good income, and therefore they are interested in peace too. 

We understand and accept the reasons of refuse but I hope that we will be able to hold the good tournament so that arriving players will be satisfied, and will be able to tell their friends and colleagues and there will be more participants next time. "Better to see once than to hear 100 times", but as I said I prefer everyone took their own decision. I hope, after the tournament, the view of the beach tennis community will change in our favor, as I don’t want to do a one-time event.

BTRussia: How Israel's national team prepare to competitions? The hosts of tournaments usually have great responsibility... Everyone wait for the best results from the team.

Alexander: In my opinion the participation of the Russian Tennis Federation in the progress of the leading players is a good thing, but it is obvious that the Federation could make some goals for players and check the effectiveness of their investments. In Israel it’s more complicated, we have limited resources and no one is going to make players “jump over their heads”. At the same time, to be a member of the national team is not only indulgence, but also a great responsibility.

I see the upcoming championships as:

a) a good opportunity to learn and gain experience for girls
b) a great opportunity for men to prove that their shape corresponds to their sporting ambitions

I think to gain rating points at the national championships is not correct and we should consider these points as 60-70% of value. The real test is the tournaments like the European/World Team/World Championships, or at least the lower level tournaments with participants from different countries.

We have three men doubles who’s more or less equal today. For some of them the beginning of the season was more successful, for others - the end of the season. At the championships guys have to show their best and to make good conclusions on the results of the tournament.

BTRussia: The title of European Champion belongs to Italians few years in a row. How do you think do other teams have chances against Italy this year?

Alexander: Well, I must say that my opinion is based on what I saw in Moscow in July and after on youtube. Let's start with the girls. I think that Italians (most likely Bacchetta and Cimatti) could win. Daina and Gasparri - current world champions, but the title was won by girls at home, and the experience of Federica and Sofia must play their role. Definitely the French girls are good competitors, as well as Pilar (Escandell) and Rosa (Sitja). Russian girls are good (in all senses :) too, but I think it’s not their moment. But they definitely could reach semi-finals.

Now men. Absolute favorites - the World Champions, BUT!!! Antomi Ramos and Gerard Rodriguez really impressed me with their play in Moscow this summer against Calbu and Gara. If Antomi catch the courage, then anything could happen. Regis (Courtois) is a very intelligent player with a top-level, but very dependent on the level of his partner, and I don’t know anything about it. This is what the head says. But let’s listen to the heart.

Let me remind you that I was born and lived in Russia for a long time. And my personal likes - DAVAI!!! Nikita and Sergey, who have found the key to Italian "fireproof safe" in the face of the first racket of the world this year. Played not so well in Cervia, clearly hoping for more, but it was on Italian sand. Eilat is a neutral territory, even more – many our (your) people live in Israel and I think this could help. The progress of Russian players is obvious, especially Sergey’s. For me your first men doubles - top favorites together with the Italians on both - emotional and logical level.

I also would like to confess with love and respect for many Russian BT players. You guys just have no idea what you have done for the development of beach tennis in Israel, and continue to do. I wish to Russia good luck in Eilat! I'll see you very soon!

About the most interesting details of the upcoming event and more we interviewed a member of the team Israel Alina Menukhina.

BTRussia: This year Israel hosts the European Beach Tennis Championships, can you tell us more about the Eilat, what kind of weather is expected, what kind of sand, are there lounge areas for the players and the training courts? Will there be entertainment or parties for players?

Alina: Eilat is the southernmost city of Israel and is considered a major Israel resort that attracts almost 3 million tourists during the year. Eilat have pleasant climate with, in October daytime temperature can reach 30+ and up to 18-25+ in the evening. This climate allows for international sporting competitions, music festivals and other entertainment on the shore. The sand will be new, there are lounge areas for players on the beach next to the main court and of course we have practice courts. Players and guests can always find something to do on the beach, it is a resort area, and if you are brave enough, you can even swim with the dolphins.

BTRussia: Please tell us more about the sights of Israel and Eilat: Must see? Must try? Where to take the best selfie? :)

Alina: You should Definitely try the Israel Hummus, Shawarma, Falafel and Israel Breakfast. If players plan to arrive a lil bit earlier and hold the way through Tel-Aviv, I highly recommend walking in a daytime at Jaffa, and in the evening go to the center to feel true night life of Israel, Tel-Aviv is called “the city that never sleeps”.

BTRussia: How is the national team of Israel prepares to EC?

Alina: In September we had 2 G4 tournaments in Netanya and Herzliya, and also a team championship. In October we had two more G4 tournaments in Haifa, which closed the season of international tournaments here. Despite the fact that the team members live in different cities, I'm sure we will do our best to prepare better for the championships.

BTRussia: Beach tennis is popular in Israel? Are there any schools and coaches? Are there any indoor courts or training takes place only on the beach in the summer season? Russia has successful experience of cooperation with the Italian schools and top-players, what do you think about such experience in the near future for Israel?

Alina: Beach tennis in Israel is a new sport and exists here since 2011. We don’t have any big schools, indoor courts and professional coaches. Training takes place in the main cities of Israel - Haifa (where I live), in Netanya and Kiryat-Ono (Tel-Aviv). We train on the beach almost all year round, even in winter time. In Haifa we train several times a week during the warm season, and winter trainings depend on the weather. This year the winter was rainy, and we missed almost two months of training.

It’s difficult to answer the question about the cooperation with the Italian schools or other top-players now, but I hope someday it will be possible. The sport is gaining popularity if someone has heard from friends and wanted to try. I hope that the European Championships will attract a lot of spectators and new players, and especially I hope to increase the number of girl players.

BTRussia: What do you think about chances of other teams against Italy? The European title belongs to Italians few years in a row... Can anyone beat the Champions this year?

Alina: I think these championships will be very interesting because a lot of strong teams are going to come. As shown by the World Team Championships in Moscow, Russia, Spain and France could be serious competitors to Italy. Our team against such strong opponents has small chances because they have much more experience, but the game will show. When you represent your country, you treat the game differently, and I think that each member of the team Israel will do best to achieve the good results.

 Dear friends, we are pleased to announce that you can subscribe to our news now and get the latest interviews and articles about Russian athletes and leading players in the world!

Reporter btrussia.com Ekaterina Bobkova

* All rights reserved. No part of these pages, either text or image may be used without a link on this site.

{gallery}http://www.flickr.com/photos/joomlaworks/sets/72157657286088103/{/gallery}