NeighbourNett meets the faces you keep seeing around the neighbourhood, but never actually get the chance to know.
If you live in Azizi Riviera, there’s a reasonable chance you’ve already seen Aleksei.
Tall. Sporty. Usually carrying a backpack. Usually walking somewhere. More often than not, that somewhere appears to be the padel court.
So naturally, NeighbourNett decided to investigate.
Who is he? What does he actually do? Why is he always carrying that backpack? Is he really becoming Riviera’s unofficial padel coach? Where does he drink his coffee? And, because somebody was going to ask eventually, is he single?
We sat down with Aleksei and asked him the important questions.
And a few completely unnecessary ones.
NeighbourNett: First things first. If a neighbour has seen you around Riviera but never spoken to you, how would you introduce yourself?
Aleksei:
“A friendly neighbour, but definitely not Spider Man,” he laughs.
“But seriously, that guy you always see walking somewhere with a backpack, heading towards the padel court.”
NeighbourNett says:
That is actually remarkably accurate.
If Riviera had a “Where’s Waldo?” edition, Aleksei would probably be somewhere between the supermarket and the padel courts carrying a racket bag.
NeighbourNett: Why Dubai? And why did you end up choosing Azizi Riviera?
Aleksei:
“To be honest, I didn’t choose Dubai. Dubai chose me.
My move was quite spontaneous, just like many decisions in my life,” he says with a smile.
“I chose Azizi because of its great location and the feeling that you can be close to everything you need, while still being a little removed from the busy Dubai city rush.”
NeighbourNett says:
A spontaneous decision that somehow ended with padel, pools and coffee within walking distance.
There are worse accidents.
NeighbourNett: What does a normal Aleksei day in Riviera actually look like?
Aleksei:
“It’s always different. I’m not as systematic as I may seem.
Usually, I work during the day and play padel in the evening. Sometimes I head out to the beach when I need some peace and a reset.
I only started coaching relatively recently, so I’m gradually getting into the flow myself and really enjoying the process.”
NeighbourNett says:
Work. Padel. Beach. Repeat.
We are beginning to understand why the backpack is always packed.
NeighbourNett: You’re walking around Riviera and suddenly need coffee. Where are you going?
Aleksei:
“It’s difficult for me to pick just one spot. I’ve really come to love Bo’s Coffee. They have great lattes and cappuccinos.
And quite recently, I also liked Mina Coffee.
So that’s my fresh recommendation for the neighbours. You should definitely check it out for yourself!”
NeighbourNett says:
Noted.
And considering NeighbourNett has also been investigating Mina Coffee lately, Aleksei may have earned himself some credibility here.
NeighbourNett: Give us your Riviera triangle. The three places where people are most likely to find you.
Aleksei:
“Home, the pool and the padel court. That’s pretty much my signature routine now!
And if I want a change of scenery, I can simply go for a walk or drive to the beach.”
NeighbourNett says:
So if you're looking for Aleksei, statistically speaking, start at the padel court.
If he isn't there, check the pool.
If he isn't there either, leave the man alone. He is probably sleeping.
NeighbourNett: What do you genuinely like about Riviera, and what would you change if you had the power?
Aleksei:
“I like the unified style of the community, how easy it is to get around, and the walking areas.
If I could change something, I would add more greenery, as I probably would in most areas of Dubai.
And of course, I’d love to see more sports facilities: extra padel courts, a tennis court, a football pitch and a volleyball court.
I think that would make the community even more vibrant and give people more opportunities to play sports right next to home.”
NeighbourNett says:
We asked for one change.
Aleksei has apparently submitted Riviera’s complete future sports masterplan.
To be fair, we’d use it.
NeighbourNett: You spend enough time around the community that something embarrassing must have happened. Give us one.
Aleksei:
“A couple of times after playing, when I was standing there completely soaked in sweat with my backpack on, people asked me, ‘How’s the water in the pool?’
I answered, ‘No idea, I just walked back from the grocery store!’”
NeighbourNett says:
For anyone new to Dubai summers, this story is entirely believable.
NeighbourNett: Now explain your actual job, because “sales” can mean almost anything.
Aleksei:
“Many people think salespeople are like the wolves of Wall Street trying to sell ice to an Eskimo.
In reality, I work in organising and direct sales of personalised luxury concierge services.
And 90% of the job is about listening to people, asking the right questions, and simply being a reliable partner they can trust.”
NeighbourNett says:
So considerably less Wolf of Wall Street.
Considerably more listening, understanding people and solving problems.
Probably a useful skill when dealing with frustrated padel players too.
NeighbourNett: Speaking of padel, how exactly did you suddenly become someone people started asking to coach them?
Aleksei:
“Padel is addictive.
I can’t really say that I’ve become a padel coach. I’ve only just started getting into this craft. But judging by the feedback, I’m doing well!
People simply asked me to coach them, so to speak, and then started recommending me to others.
That’s how players who enjoy training with me started showing up.
When it comes to the sessions, the absolute best part is seeing the students’ progress and watching someone become so much more confident on the court.”
NeighbourNett says:
Translation: Aleksei didn’t officially announce himself as a coach.
Riviera apparently decided for him.
NeighbourNett: Be honest. What do you say when your student misses an easy ball and immediately announces, “It’s the racket”?
Aleksei:
“I always play along and say, ‘One hundred percent, it’s the racket’s fault!’
So we put the racket away, and they play with whatever random object we find lying around,” he laughs.
“Joking aside, I always try to take away that feeling of frustration and make them focus on what actually caused the mistake in the drill or the game.”
NeighbourNett says:
NeighbourNett would like photographic evidence of the random object training session.
Until then, everybody's racket remains officially guilty.
NeighbourNett: And padel isn’t enough for you. Why combat sports as well?
Aleksei:
“It started with a desire to clear my head.
In the ring, you physically don’t have time to think about work or everyday problems. Your focus is 100%.
I train for myself and for fitness. And, of course, tuning into the top fight cards when I’m in the mood is a must.”
NeighbourNett says:
Padel after work.
Combat training to relax.
We may have slightly different definitions of “relaxing.”
NeighbourNett: No work. No alarm. Completely free Saturday. What are you doing?
Aleksei:
“Sleeping in without an alarm, hitting the beach or the pool, having a good brunch somewhere with a view of the water, and probably sneaking in some sports anyway because I wouldn't last long without it.
The main thing is being in good company and zero rush.”
NeighbourNett says:
The man almost managed to describe an entire rest day without sport.
Almost.
NeighbourNett: We know somebody reading this is wondering, so we’ll ask. What kind of person catches your attention?
Aleksei:
He smiles.
“Right now, I’m enjoying this chapter of my life and what I’m doing.
But my heart is always open to good people and an interesting spark.
I’m attracted to an easygoing vibe, a good sense of humour, independence, and people who don’t pretend to be someone they’re not.”
NeighbourNett says:
There you go.
NeighbourNett reports.
NeighbourNett does not matchmake.
At least not officially.
NeighbourNett: What is something people might not guess about you just from seeing you around?
Aleksei:
“Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe you should ask the neighbours after this interview!”
Then he thinks about it.
“Behind the sporty look, there’s actually a pretty calm guy with an analytical mind and a love for deep conversations and psychology.
But hey, you tell me.”
NeighbourNett says:
Tall sporty guy with a racket on the outside.
Psychology and deep conversations on the inside.
There may be more going on underneath that backpack than we originally anticipated.
NeighbourNett: Final question. A brand new neighbour arrives in Riviera tomorrow and knows absolutely nobody. What are you inviting them to do?
Aleksei:
“Well, of course, I would invite them to a sparring session…”
Pause.
“Just kidding!”
“Definitely to the padel court, where the losing team buys everyone coffee or cold drinks.
Nothing breaks the ice faster than laughing together over a missed shot.”
NeighbourNett says:
And that might be the most Riviera answer possible.
Meet on the court.
Compete for an hour.
Laugh at somebody’s terrible shot.
Make the losers buy the drinks.
Go home as friends.
So, who is Aleksei?
Apparently, he is exactly what he told us at the beginning.
A friendly neighbour with a backpack.
Except now we know the backpack probably contains padel equipment, he likes good coffee, believes Riviera needs considerably more sports facilities, works with luxury concierge clients, trains combat sports, enjoys psychology and deep conversations, and thinks blaming your racket is perfectly acceptable for approximately five seconds.
And if you still haven't met him?
Your best chance is probably somewhere around the Riviera padel courts.
Just look for the tall guy with the backpack.
Want to say hello? Find Aleksei on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/v.twoooo?stkn=cndjM29lMWg3dWh6
NeighbourNett: Meet Your Neighbours
Riviera is full of people we see every day but know almost nothing about.
Meet Your Neighbours is NeighbourNett’s way of changing that, one coffee, one conversation and occasionally one unnecessarily personal question at a time.
Know someone in Riviera we should interview next?
Tell NeighbourNett.
How old is he? 😂😂