Karen Khachanov is hoping that this week’s Dubai Tennis Championships will be where he regains his momentum on the tour after a lacklustre start to 2019.
The world No.12 heads into the tournament after losing in the first round of events in Sofia and Rotterdam. On the ATP Tour this season he has achieved a win-loss record of 2-4. Winning back to back matches at one out four tournaments (Australian Open). Reflecting on his mixed start, Khachanov blamed illness and ‘other issues’ for his disappointing results.
“After Melbourne, the two tournaments [Sofia and Rotterdam] were not the best for me. But again, I didn’t feel so well,” Khachanov said on Sunday.
“Now, I’m full charged. I trained a week before and unfortunately, I couldn’t compete in Marseille as I wasn’t hundred per cent. I arrived here on Thursday and we have had a good training week. So let’s see how it goes here,” he added.
Khachanov claimed three ATP titles during his 2018 season. The most significant of those occurred at the Paris Masters where he defeated four top 10 players on route to the biggest title in his career. Scoring wins over both Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic. Bidding to add to his trophy collection, the Russian No.1 is targeting more consistency on the tour.
“I’m thinking about trying to get more consistency in my level this year. May be I had this sort of consistency mostly in the second part of last year,” he outlined.
“Sometimes you are practising well, but then the real feel you have when you play tournaments is different. During practice sometimes, I may not have had the best feeling but then you go on court, you compete well, you play differently. It’s tough to say. I think I’m feeling quite well right now.”
Whilst maintaining an upbeat perspective, the 22-year-old admits that his tennis is still a work in progress. Saying that his focus is solely on him and not his position in the rankings.
“But I like to focus more on myself and my game, not focus more on the points and the results. The results are always coming if you are playing well. It’s like that. Or sometimes, even when you are not playing well, you are winning. All this is connected,” he stated.
In his first match in Dubai, Khachanov will face a potentially tough test against world No.19 Nikoloz Basilashvili. The Georgian won two ATP titles last year, but is yet to score a win over a top 50 player in 2019.
Khachanov is seeded fourth in the draw this year.
