Marat Safin
Marat Safin
Marat Mubinovich Safinis a Russian retired tennis player and politician. Safin won two Grand Slam tournaments and reached the world no. 1 ranking during his career. He was also famous for his emotional outbursts and sometimes fiery temper on court. Safin is the older brother of former world No. 1 WTA player, Dinara Safina. They are the first and only brother–sister tandem in tennis history who have both achieved no. 1 rankings...
NationalityRussian
ProfessionTennis Player
Date of Birth27 January 1980
CityMoscow, Russia
CountryRussian Federation
I didn't practice for one month and a half and I played three matches in a row and today I felt really, really tired on the court. I couldn't move properly and I couldn't find my game. My timing was not there. So it's really difficult to play against any player.
He played really well and his game caught me off guard a bit. But I was expecting him to give me a tough match because the French always raise their game when they're playing at home in Davis Cup.
If I can put pressure on his serve, I'd have a chance. It's going to be very hard because he has been playing amazingly.
He's the kind of player that you need to be really careful and really focus from the beginning of the match.
In the second set I was a little bit nervous because, I was playing too good, and I almost lost the second set. It's a little bit too early to say that I'm getting closer to my best shape. But at least I'm fighting.
In my position, I think it's enough, ... If I didn't have a sore knee, I would go to New Haven (for next week's tournament) and try to get the rhythm back and try to get the confidence before the U.S. Open. In my position, I have to think about my knee and how many matches I have, so it will be OK for the U.S. Open.
I'm really happy with the way I played, definitely my best since Melbourne last year.
The first set was a bit tough because I hadn't played a match for six months. You are unable to decide where you have to move, when you have to go to the net, whether to put pressure or stay back. I was a bit lost and tense because I knew that I had a chance.
All the time you are under pressure because there is Pete Sampras opposite you so you have to come up with great shots.
I pay the bills, I pay for everything.
Me, I don't need money.
You're playing or you're not playing. If you're playing, so just shut up and play.
I pass through the difficult moments in life, really difficult times on grass, during my seven years of my career. All of a sudden I felt comfortable.
But when I'm losing a few matches, suddenly 'It's his fault', 'He doesn't want to practice', 'He doesn't need it', 'He doesn't care'. And when everything goes well, there are people coming behind the stone, saying, 'Oh, my God, he's back finally, and I was there to help him out'.