The intensity at the Riyadh Masters 2025 Dota 2 tournament is palpable as teams fight for survival and playoff berths on the final day of the group stage. Amidst this high-stakes environment, a personal challenge has emerged for the captain of Team Yandex, Alexey “Solo” Berezin.
In a message shared via his Telegram channel, Solo provided an insight into his team`s preparation and, perhaps unexpectedly, his own health status just hours before a critical match. He revealed, “Today [July 10] we played practice games. I was a little bit sick – getting treated.”
Professional esports competitors are often seen as figures operating at peak performance, but Solo`s candid admission serves as a reminder that even at the highest level, players are not immune to common ailments. He mentioned taking steps to recover, noting, “brewed some Theraflu, drank it.” Despite feeling slightly under the weather, he concluded that the day`s activities were “generally normal,” focusing on the task at hand.
The timing of this minor health setback is particularly noteworthy. Team Yandex is scheduled to face Tundra Esports on July 11th in a match that holds significant weight for their tournament aspirations in Group C. Solo confirmed their focus, stating simply, “We were preparing for Tundra.”
Team Yandex`s performance in the group stage has seen them navigate a competitive pool, recently securing a win against Virtus.pro after a loss to Aurora Gaming. This makes the impending clash with Tundra Esports potentially decisive for determining which teams advance to the next phase of the tournament.
Riyadh Masters 2025 itself is a major event within the Esports World Cup 2025 series, hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 8th to 19th. The tournament boasts a substantial $3 million prize pool, with a formidable $1 million designated for the eventual champions.
Solo`s situation highlights the dedication required of esports athletes. Facing a crucial match on the final day of a major international tournament, the expectation is to perform. His willingness to push through a minor illness and continue preparations underscores the commitment to his team and the competition.
As Team Yandex steps into the arena to face Tundra Esports, fans will be watching not only the strategic execution but also the resilience of the players under pressure, including a captain battling opponents both in-game and, apparently, a bit of a cold.
Gilbert Pendleton 
Wesley Dunham