The Red and Blue forward spoke about regaining form after his injury and offered his evaluation of the Australian Open final between Medvedev and Nadal.
- Danil, you haven't been on the ice for about four months. How was your recovery?
- At first we worked with a rehabilitator. My feeling was getting better day by day. And finally, after such a long time, I went out on the ice with our guys, and I am very happy about that. I dreamed every day that I would get on the ice faster.
- During this period you had a lot of free time. What have you been doing?
- First of all, I recovered. Rested more, read books on psychology, and created my visualization on the computer.
- Was it hard for you psychologically all that time without training and matches?
- Of course, it is very frustrating when you get injured at the beginning of the season, but that's hockey, nobody is immune. I had to accept the situation and just recover. I was with my team, supported them every game and it gave me some momentum.
- You went to the locker room after games.
- Yes. The first time I wasn't with the team and watched the games from home, and then, as soon as I could, I came after the game, made a fist of it and was happy for the guys.
- At the end of December, you came out on the ice for the first time after the break. How did it feel?
- Like for the first time (smiling). At first I went out without a uniform, just to ride. I dreamed for a long time to get on ice as soon as possible. And when it happened, I was very happy. And when I put the uniform on, I enjoyed the moment.
- It's been a month, did you already run in?
- I've only spent a few training sessions with the team so far. Gradually, I'm getting better and better every day. The most interesting thing is ahead. The workload increases with each microcycle: everything goes according to plan.
- Is the break that you are now on for the games good for you?
- It`s hard to say now, because I haven`t played for a long time. It`s understandable, I feel a little emotional and psychological burden without playing every other day. On the other hand, not having game practice isn't very good either. Only when I go out to a game I will be able to say whether it helped me. But in any case I'm doing everything I can to get out there faster and help the team.
- The Army fans are asking when you can be ready to appear in a game?
- I hope I'll be ready in the middle of February.
- The day before you watched the tennis final between Medvedev and Nadal. How did you like the match?
- I came home after practice and watched the tennis. It was a very interesting game that lasted over five hours. Of course I was rooting for Medvedev, but Nadal had managed to take three sets on account of his big experience. Daniil will be taught a lesson; he's got everything in front of him.
- Isn't it hard for a hockey player with 40-second shifts to watch a game for five hours?
- It is kind of hard. I wonder how they play that long. It's very hard. Every sport is hard in its own way. But for us, as you said, we have 40-second shifts, and for them, it takes five hours to run. It is a mystery to me where they get their strength.
