2004 Year end champions - Houston

[Annie]

Karen said:

Great way for Marat to end the year jumping to 4th in the world. Just got back from Houston and saw Marat play Henman and Federer. My seat was right behind Marat maybe 9 rows back, and during the Henman match it was an all Henman crowd. Seemed like there were only a dozen people there cheering for Marat and did ESPN show me with my Russia tee-shirt, Noooo. Didn't think they would. But "Mattress Mac" saw me, he was directly across from me near the players box cheering like crazy for Henman. And I was doing the same for Marat. After the match Marat just picked his bag up and left the court in a hurry. Saw him outside and only had a chance to wave to him before he got in the car and left. Henman stayed at my hotel and was down in the bar at 1am after the match having some fun or trying to. ;D The match against Federer was different everybody decided to cheer for Marat now, little late people, but the tie-break he was nervous, he hit some great shots, hitting so hard his shirt was hanging off one shoulder, but he did his best and even though he didn't win, it seemed like a win to me just because you could see him play with all his heart and give everything he had. Had to catch a flight so didn't get to see him after the match, but gave someone a note to give to him. ;D Can't remember everthing right now but will post again later. BTW did you guys see Roger's girlfriend stand up in the box over a call? Thought she was going to jump on the court and smack the linesman. She was mad !! I just laughed and yelled to her sit down look how many bad calls Marat has. Yes, I yelled at Federer's girlfriend.

Thanks for the courtside report, Karen!! Way to against Rogi's girl, too...you did us proud ;D ;D Look forward to your posts later

Wow, this match has got everyone going all sentimental, and dag-nab it (when was the last time I used that phrase?!!?) I'm getting all teary-eyed as well, and I haven't even seen the match yet!!! Ack......Marat....we love you!!
BTW, Vass, you never fail to surprise me...if someone removed one of your bones and broke it in half, they'd find the word 'Russian' running right through it, like a stick of Blackpool Rock ;D I think I'm beginning to see what Marat says Russians are too complicated...*lol*
Just looking at the score and hearing the reports, it sounds like Marat gave his heart and soul to that final set and that means more to me than an easy win; he's fighting his demons and winning (with the help of Peter)!! Can't believe it's the end of Marat's season already.... *sigh* Has it really been 11months since I was screaming at the TV at 3am for Marat against Agassi in Australia? and Roddick? and that fateful final against Roger? How fitting that Marat should start and end the year with his final matches against Federer - a sign of things to come in 2005?? Let's hope so! Onwards and upwards, Davai Marat!!
Also can't believe so many of you only came to TGFR within in the last 12 months?!!? You guys seems like TGFR furniture already (and I mean that in the nicest possible way ;D) It feels like the end of High School, when everyone is saying goodbye *sniff sniff* No wonder I couldn't get onto my own board *lol*
And what an amazing year it's been!!! Definitely one of the most exciting; maybe even more exciting than 2000? Because now we know Marat is mortal; we've seen him injured and seen him lose to nobodies, which didn't ever seem possible in 2000. So now he's fought his way back, every win, every trial, every match is so much more significant than before, and I personally think we now have a hardened veteran, a gladiator ready to fight on in 2005, not a rose-tinted schoolboy relying on talent alone. (Too harsh?) Either way, I feel much more 'safe' watching Marat play; his random self-destruct doesn't seem as threatening anymore, and I'm totally loving his maturity.

Maybe we should start a '2004 Moments' thread? Because out of all the years of his career, I think this year deserves recording by his fans; I've got the feeling it could be the start of something big... and I mean history-making-roddick-silencing-Federer-replacing big

[tall_one]

Karen said:

Seemed like there were only a dozen people there cheering for Marat and did ESPN show me with my Russia tee-shirt, Noooo.

I guess I'll have to watch the tape again so i can see you ;D

Yes, I yelled at Federer's girlfriend.

omg lmfao!!

[sirius]

thanks for the report karen...mwahaha... i was doing that to the tv too...like...MIRKA...SIT DOWN!!! mwahhah. and i was watching the match like...12 hours later.

RUTH>>>awww sweet speech. hmmm TGFR furniture... let's see now... can i be the erm.... something non-hazardous...erm... couch is hazardous, tv's hazardous... i'll be the erm... CLOCK! showing all the different timezones so we'll never be confused as to when marat comes on lol....

[Jasmine]

Like Ruth said, we have a really good time this year. Sheering Marat with you, spice up the matches. Wish we'll have much more fun in 2005.

[Margethe]

yeah! marat scored a LOT OF POINTS in our hearts! after feeling so DRAINED after his match with COW i feel better now that he's getting all this love!

[annie]

wow...like , i'm so LATE!! i had to go somewhere so...no PC...no TGFR...

but i saw it...yeah...it was great!! he even had love games against fed...2nd set..the best...3-0 to start? that really pumped me up!! he could've won that set if he'd broken fed in the 6th game
...but the tiebreak was a killer...really, my hair were all standing on ends...true there were some calls that were really wrong...and could've ended the match at the 11-9 but it favored Marat so it's still good to me!! ;D
I can't wait for next season!! i liked what he showed, it was great...he was fighting...as the commentator said, "It was Gladiatorial" and though Roger was Maximus..Marat's still my HERO...fallen for now maybe, but my hero nevertheless.
and Fed was a little bit animated too...Marat made him nervous...that's good..
He'll have better chances next year if he works a little bit more on all aspects of his game to get to that level...and be a bit more consistent..
he just really needs to focus, and not worry about anything else too much...forget that he's playing against Roger/ the number one./the best...and just play..like he did against Pete..

and yeah...it was a great year all in all...compared to last year...when we didn't even got to see him more than half the year...

good luck to him next year...we'll be ready to support him!!! ;D ;D

[MariaV]

Karen said:

BTW did you guys see Roger's girlfriend stand up in the box over a call? Thought she was going to jump on the court and smack the linesman. She was mad !! I just laughed and yelled to her sit down look how many bad calls Marat has. Yes, I yelled at Federer's girlfriend.

Hi Karen! And ;D @ you yelling at Mirka! Yes, they showed her then. Marat had 3 bad calls (that they showed) to Fed's just this 1!
This must have been an awesome experience for you! Can't wait for your posts later.

[Neo]

Hey, ppl!!!! I'm very late.......... had a project for french to do and........ .......... bleah, dun wanna talk abt it..... it's over now...........
Good match from Marat! Congrats! Now go have a great vacation, sweetie !!!!!!

And since we're all in the 'thanking mood'

[glow=red,2,300] THE BIGGEST OF HUGS TO EVERYONE WHO STUCK AROUND FOR THE GOOD AS WELL AS THE BAD! GREAT YEAR! [/glow]
Vass>> that was sooooooooo not like you, but it made me want to give U an enthusiastic hug! I'm happy you're happy!

Karen>> Wow, thanx for the report. It must have been great to be there! And, yes, I saw Mirka getting up all outraged and whateva..... Puh-lease!!!! And what was she gonna do, go kick the hell outta the umpire ......... or Marat? ;D Like she has a say in anything that goes on on-court. Huni, U're just the girlfriend........

Nicki, Jiat, Damita, Anita (and everybody else who posts pics, intervews, OOPs, audios and vids)>> THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Ruth>> Awwwwwww, now I'm all teary-eyed too........

[SAFINNO1]

Neo said:

Good match from Marat! Congrats! Now go have a great vacation, sweetie !!!!!!

And since we're all in the 'thanking mood'

[glow=red,2,300] THE BIGGEST OF HUGS TO EVERYONE WHO STUCK AROUND FOR THE GOOD AS WELL AS THE BAD! GREAT YEAR! [/glow]
Vass>> that was sooooooooo not like you, but it made me want to give U an enthusiastic hug! I'm happy you're happy!

Karen>> Wow, thanx for the report. It must have been great to be there! And, yes, I saw Mirka getting up all outraged and whateva..... Puh-lease!!!! And what was she gonna do, go kick the hell outta the umpire ......... or Marat? ;D Like she has a say in anything that goes on on-court. Huni, U're just the girlfriend........

Nicki, Jiat, Damita, Anita (and everybody else who posts pics, intervews, OOPs, audios and vids)>> THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Ruth>> Awwwwwww, now I'm all teary-eyed too........

Damn it neo said exactly the same thing i was going to say well. thanks to all the members and moderators for keeping this site great and i am just so overwhelmed at Marat's year , i just can not wait until the new season, forgetting about the time difference the Ozzie open should be great.

But there are two people i would like to say thanks to and that is Teresa and the person we all love RUTH ;D ;D for giving me another chance.

XX Hugs and Kisses.XX

[Myke]

MariaV said:

Hi Karen! And ;D @ you yelling at Mirka! Yes, they showed her then.

Lol! Would've wanted to see that, Karen screaming at her

And everybody's in a major thanking mood I see... sorta gives me the creeps, it's as if everyone's going to leave forever

[Karen]

Marat looked at Mirka a few times as well standing up. Couldn't tell if it was one of those...Who does she think she is looks. But he was looking at her. The crowd didn't like it much either and started getting loud so she probably didn't hear me. Waiting on a phone call tomorrow so I'll have some more info to post then.

[Myke]

Karen said:

Marat looked at Mirka a few times as well standing up. Couldn't tell if it was one of those...Who does she think she is looks. But he was looking at her. The crowd didn't like it much either and started getting loud so she probably didn't hear me. Waiting on a phone call tomorrow so I'll have some more info to post then.

Ha, thanks for that story

I wonder what kinda phonecall that is then... cant wait to read the info

[Damita]

A late note on the semis, from tennis-x.com:

Peter Lundgren talking to the Houston Chronicle on watching former pupil Roger Federer play current pupil Marat Safin in the Masters Cup semifinals: "Lots of thoughts, lots of things going through my head, but nothing bad, just lots of positives. It's very nice to have your -- my players on the court at the same time."...

[zita]

finally able to come over here .Was working during houston but that made it possible to watch the SB.
had lots of fun reading all your posts but at the same time wanted to reply but couldn't.

Anyway , was so happy , like u all , for our marat ,what a guy
Even more happy that i've taped his matches , now i can watch them over and over again. ;D

Why i s evrybody saying goodbye?? :-[are u all gonna leave ?
Nah , i can't believe that .

well , tx anyway to all of u for doing here waht ur doing , and hope to see a happy few on msn.

[Chuffy]

SAFINNO1 said:

welcome chuffy but just remember we barely lost to federer so we can all be happy and as he says he say he out done himself this year by reaching NO4 in the world.

Still on the match if you forget about the first 3 games where federer just demolished safin they were equal and out of 7 sets against fedrer 4 have been tie breaks and the rest have been due to fatigue and a slow start so over all great year.

cant wait till perth.

Yeah that's true . What a great come back!!