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've played him many times, six times, but the way he is playing this year, with confidence, to beat him will be very tough. A little bit of luck would be great.
We have known each other since we were nine years old and we have played together in Russia, ... We played in the Under-16 European championships and he beat me in the quarterfinals. He's one of my best friends and I really like him. It will be nice to play him and hopefully get revenge.
But it was still a great match. I don't know the last time I played such great tennis. It was probably my best match ever on grass.
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.
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.
I've slightly changed my action and movement and tonight it really worked well for me.
I've been playing non-stop for several weeks and obviously I'm getting tired both physically and mentally. I tried but it wasn't enough.
I've been out for one month and a half and I didn't really practice before the tournament,
We have eyes, and we see that not many people are interested in the sports.
Everything worked out. I'm satisfied with my game today. If it goes like this, I have good chances to play well in this tournament,
To be honest I think he ran out of gas. When I broke him in the third set I think his belief went. He was missing that extra step and he could not cope.
That's the situation I am right now, I cannot ask for too much of myself. I have to think a little bit more about my knee.
I was missing a little bit of energy. I got sick two, three days ago, and I'm still a little bit weak.