Russia's national team player on the war: ”My girlfriend is in jail — I want to help her”
Russian national team player Vladimir Nifontov is going through the most difficult period in his life. A few days ago, his girlfriend was imprisoned in St Petersburg, and all Vladimir Nifontov wants is for the war to end – and for his family to live in a safe and free country. He tells in an interview to Padel Alto´s sister site PadelDirekt.
Last summer, Padel Alto met Vladimir Nifintov during the European Championships in Marbella. He talked about Russian padel and often flew from Moscow to St Petersburg to play.
The situation is entirely different after Russia invades Ukraine and the outbreak of war.
— Words cannot describe the situation right now. A tragedy, only worse. I think all of you in Sweden understand what I mean. Brothers are dying, and families are breaking up. This must end, says Vladimir Nifontov in an interview with PadelDirekt.
Currently, Vladimir Nifontov is in Thailand, preparing for the competition season. Or, well, preparing. When Russia invaded Ukraine a week ago, his padel career was put on hold.
— I haven't slept in five days. Nobody thought that what was happening in Ukraine would happen, I am very worried about my family, and I am trying to find a way to come home and help them.
How would you describe the last few days, do you have much contact with your close family?
— (Silence) I don't know. It's like a long blackout. I've talked to my parents once in a while but not every day. It's hard to describe this last week. My girlfriend is in jail now, so I just want to help her somehow.
Do you want to tell me more about why?
— She was in a square with her aunt where people chanted, "stop the war!". Suddenly, a guy standing near them was attacked by police, and my girlfriend's aunt, who is 74, tried to protect him. This led to the police attacking the aunt, and when my girlfriend reacted to this, all three ended up in jail.
May have to fight for Russia.
Vladimir Nifontov's girlfriend has two children whom he cares deeply and wants to help as much as he can in this difficult time. But first, he has to get into Russia.
— They were with me in Koh Phangan but went back to St Petersburg two weeks ago. I don't know any Russian who thought that what happened now could happen.
How long will your girlfriend be in prison?
— Nobody knows.
He won't comment on Russian President Vladimir Putin or what he thinks about the war
— It's a critical situation. I hope it will all be over soon.
Will you be called up to the Russian military then if you make it to St Petersburg?
— Yes, it could be. We'll see what happens.
Padel doesn't matter when people die, and thousands are forced to leave their homes for safer places. Nevertheless, Vladimir Nifontov's passion for padel means that he gives himself a break from thoughts of the war to talk about his and Russia's padel situation for a few minutes.
— Last year, I took my first FIP points, and I'm in Thailand preparing for the season. It was in Koh Phangan ten years ago that I saw padel for the first time, so I'm happy to be able to return here to practice during the winter.
"Russian padel dreams are dead."
He planned to start the competitive season with the FIP Star (International Padel Federation tour) in Cairo and then go to Marbella for hard training.
— Now everything has turned upside down. Russian paddling dreams are dead, just like many other things," Vladimir Nifontov states bluntly.
He has tried to contact the Russian Padel Federation without success but hopes that Russians will be allowed to compete under a neutral flag in the future. At the moment, there is no ban or restriction on Russian players, as Padel Alto was able to reveal.
— I don't think Russian athletes should be punished by being banned internationally. In any case, the conflict will have a major impact on all sports, including padel, but elite players should be allowed to compete out in the world, Nifontov says.
However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommends that all sports federations not allow Russian athletes to participate in any competition.
— Russians and athletes want to live in freedom and joy. It's 2022, and Elon Musk is sending rockets to March, but we're still at war, and it's so tragic. I am totally against the war.
