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Post by memtennis on Jan 28, 2009 1:51:41 GMT 3
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Post by annie on Feb 1, 2009 4:05:45 GMT 3
Hey, that's from our local paper!  |
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Feb 6, 2009 17:48:34 GMT 3
Safin's swan song 2009-02-06 00:39:00 Earlier this year, Marat Safin danced around the topic of retirement, hinting he might be ready to call it a career at the end of 2009. How time flies.... At the 2000 US Open finals, Safin needed a mere 98 minutes to deliver a comprehensive ass-kicking to four-time champion, Pete Sampras, in front of a partisan crowd in New York. The veteran American was thoroughly outclassed that Sunday afternoon, unable to defend himself against the offensive assault delivered by the 20-year-old Russian. Safin played a near flawless match- fearless and unfettered by the gravity of the occasion. During the post-match press conference, a bested Sampras christened Safin, "the future of tennis." Nearly a decade later and to the surprise of many a tennis insider, Safin collected but one additional grandslam title- and his last title to date- at the 2005 Australian Open. The Russian turned in results most players only dared to dream about, however, holding the #1 ranking, reaching multiple major finals and capturing a handful of Master Series shields. Safin proved to be a clutch Davis Cup player as well, helping his team win the championship for the first time in 2002. Despite his successes on tour, there are some who fail to see Safin as anything more than an oft-injured and unmotivated example of "wasted potential." Is that a fair assessment? It depends who you ask, I suppose. For my purposes, he isn't- not by a longshot. I conducted an informal poll in my neighborhood a few months ago, asking a random cross section of people a few questions about tennis. The group was comprised of men and women, young and old, from a wide array of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I asked them if they followed tennis, which players they liked or disliked, and so on. Safin was one of the few players earning a favorable report- for different reasons, naturally- from both the men and the women. Men envied the Russian's much publicized "playboy" lifestyle and the women gushed over his physical attributes. Shocking, I know. Whether Safin won or lost, behaved himself or busted rackets like a madman, his fame and reputation transcended the game that first introduced him to an international audience in 1997. Since his tour debut, the name "Safin" has consistently sold tickets to events, bringing people to tennis stadiums in droves. Spectators wanted to watch the mercurial man in action, to be part of the spectacle, to be entertained. Safin, with or without his permission, became part athlete, part entertainer. The sometimes sour Russian once addressed the notion, saying: "I am not a Singer or a Rock star. Tennis is tennis. If you want to see a clown, go to the circus." The circus, such as it was, came to Safin, who offered scarce resistance when Ringling Brothers came calling. I had a chance to experience the "Safin effect" firsthand, during one of my travels last summer. I ran into a male journalist working for a well known publication. The man- in his middle 40's, at least- fawned over the Russian in a way you might expect from a dazzled young child, meeting his idol for the first time. He cooed, wide-eyed, detailing the rush he felt every single time Safin stepped into a press conference. Never knowing what Safin would do or say in a presser, the journalist confided, added to the allure of the Russian's unpredictable nature. A few years ago, tennis fans held hope Safin would take his place alongside Rafael Nadal, crafting himself into a proper rival for Roger Federer, an immovable talent at the time. Many of us drooled over the prospect, myself included, after the Russian turned in one of the most lauded grandslam semifinal performances in tennis history. The former number one celebrated his 29th birthday in January. After a laundry list of injuries, subsequent surgeries and a dozen years on tour, one can understand his desire to move on, ready to pen a new chapter in life. I don't know how you feel, but whenever it comes, I'll be sorry to see Marat Safin make his final curtain call. tennistalk.com/en/blog/Kelli_DeMario/20090206/Safin's_swan_song |
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Feb 6, 2009 17:50:43 GMT 3
-Swiss Announces 5th Annual Desert Smash With All-Star Roster
MARCH 10-11, 2009 - LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- K-Swiss is again proud to announce its title support of the 5th annual K-Swiss Desert Smash, a two-day charity celebrity tennis and golf event being hosted at the world famous La Quinta Resort & Club, just outside Palm Springs, CA. The event, being held March 10-11th, will benefit the Bryan Brothers' Foundation and Variety of the Desert - the Children's Charity.
The K-Swiss Desert Smash meshes the worlds of Hollywood celebrities and the world's best professional tennis players. On the heels of the PNB Paribas Open in neighboring Indian Wells, players scheduled to appear to date include Novak Djokovic, Marat Safin, WTA Tour world number 4 Vera Zvonareva, Tommy Haas, Australian Open Doubles Champions Mike & Bob Bryan, and 2008 Indian Wells Finalist Mardy Fish.
Following a schedule similar to years past, this year's event will feature a tennis pro-am tournament and another stellar pro-tennis exhibition played on the gorgeous La Quinta tennis stadium which is free to the public. Capping off a great day of tennis, the evening event is going to rock, literally. The evening will kick off with a silent auction and cocktail party followed by dinner and a special, private musical performance by a chart topping recording artist.
As in year's past, this event will not be short on celebrities. Past celebrity attendees include Joe Pesci, Gavin Rossdale, Michael Vartan, Rex Lee, Ken Dividian, Daniel Baldwin, Lance Bass and Eliza Dushku.
"We are thrilled to be celebrating the 5th year of the K-Swiss Desert Smash," said Erik Vervloet, K-Swiss Sports Marketing Director. "It's a fun two days filled with incredible talent but more importantly, with a great sense of purpose. The K-Swiss Desert Smash is an opportunity for K-Swiss to connect world class athletes with children in need and help raise awareness for these two great charities."
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Post by Dina on Mar 11, 2009 15:07:54 GMT 3
there's some article (interview) done in Sibiu with Marat; AnnieNik from MTF summarized it so thanx to her! however here's the link for the original version: news.sport-express.ru/online/.../nl289592.htmland here's the summary: The interview was taken on Sunday in Sibiu at his hotel. The journalist asks him how he feels in his last year on tour and Marat says that he is really really fed up with this question. "I'll see how it goes. I'll play until the end of the season, and if I want to go on, I will. Maybe now I have no such desire. I belong to myself, but people always search for something spicy, where nothing extraordinary happens. It's a normal year - I am myself and I play." Later on, the journalist tells him that after this statement there will be a bombing of questions about this and Marat says that people shouldn't care about this. "Who cares, if I retire or not. It's ridiculous to discuss that, as if people do not have other problems". He says that the Sibiu matches are preparation for Indian Wells As a successful person the journalist asks him for advice to survive the crisis Marat says that the things were going wrong for some time and it was obvious that it'll end at some time. The media is making the things worse. People, who suffer, have to try to relax and have fun, without putting so much pressure on themselves. Btw, he isn't suffering due to the crisis Marat still considers tennis his job, not his hobby. He has found an attitude towards tennis many years ago, there is nothing more to learn now. He just sees tennis in a different way, not like fans do. About the DC tie. He was sure 100% that they will win. The teams' levels are different. There was no underestimation whatsoever, just the Russian team has great players (top 20 level). Journalist asks him that his last tournament might be DC final, and not Bercy. "I'd like it to be like this, but we have two ties ahead. Israel and other teams know how to play tennis. To think that we might win DC final is like saying I will reach Indian Wells final. Theoretically we are champions, de facto we are in quarter finals. The atmosphere in DC team: all is fine. Some people could not come (Igor A.) , they are all professionals and respect each other. Even if a comic situation appears, one minute later all is fine, and no one is insulted. He doesn't like to receive or give advices. Marat says that he really hates people, who intervene his life and tell him, what to do, even if they have no idea about the thing. "First go and play tennis, after that come and teach me how to hit to the right" Tarpi called him "a free painter" (meaning: that he takes life artistically). Marat says that he has some problems, like anyone else. Life is short, and there is a tennis psychology. The less pressure you put on yourself to play better, the better you play. Asked about the possibility Dinara to become Nr. 1 after Indian wells, he says that if it's written, it'll happen. If not now, she'll have a chance in the future. She has fun doing what she does. Marat didn't expect her to breakthrough so fast. He hopes she'll play until 30. He doesn't care what she does in life, as far as she likes it. Marat wants for her things to go well, and she'd be happy as a human. It doesn't matter for him what she becomes after tennis - a coach, a journalist or mountain guide. It matters for her. "I look at these things from a different side". Guys, this is a just a quick summary and Russian speakers, please correct/add me |
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Mar 11, 2009 20:25:39 GMT 3
-Swiss Organizes Event for Indian Wells’ Area Charity
K-Swiss, the international apparel company, sponsored the 5th Annual Desert Smash at the La Quinta Resort to benefit the Variety Club-Children’s Charity of the Coachella Valley and the Bryan Brothers Foundation.
Mardy Fish, Tommy Haas and the Bondarenko sisters, all endorsers of K-Swiss apparel played exhibition matches to the delight of 2,500 local tennis fans.
Added attractions included a doubles match between Cara Black and Leizel Huber, two of the greatest doubles players of all time vs Vera Zvonareva and Ilona Bondarenko.
Bob and Mike Bryan vs. Marat Safin and Novak Djokovic played a semi serious, fully entertaining doubles match with the players miced and entertaining the crowd. Who won? Who cared? It was for charity and it was fun.
In the evening, a fancy cocktail/dinner party was held at the La Quinta Resort followed by a concert by recording artist Gavin Rossdale, who happens to be a pretty good tennis player and big fan
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Post by Dina on Mar 11, 2009 20:58:30 GMT 3
too bad we don't have a video!
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Post by memtennis on Mar 12, 2009 18:06:58 GMT 3
too bad we don't have a video! Yes... Surely something will surface in the next few days. Hopefully Marat had fun and will be in a good mind set for IW!  |
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Post by Dina on Mar 19, 2009 21:05:26 GMT 3
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Apr 7, 2009 18:03:17 GMT 3
Marat Safin. Right from the word go, that name has attracted flocks of people to tennis tournaments. From his on-court antics of smashing racquets and yelling at umpires and line judges, to his often bitter demeanor off-court, Safin is a man the world may never fully understand. When he won the first of his Grand Slams at the U.S Open in 2000, he looked poised to take many more, to challenge at the top of men's tennis for some considerable time. He certainly had the talent; there were few who could hit the ball more cleanly and precisely, or who had more variety to their games. Yet, he waited five years for the second of his only two Slams, an Australian Open victory in 2005. There are any number of excuses for Safin's fall from grace. He struggled with injuries, a man named Roger Federer began to dominate the game. Perhaps Safin just didn't cope very well with the pressure. Whatever the reason, I doubt there are many who, nine years ago, could have predicted Safin would end up with just two Grand Slam titles to his name. He has had ups and downs all through his career, mostly due to injuries and a struggle to find his form. But to this day, Safin remains full of surprises. In 2008, he seemed to be at the tail-end of his career. He was turning in few good matches anymore, and seemed to be struggling with motivation. And then, bam! Out of nowhere, it seemed, a semifinal appearance at Wimbledon! His route to the semis was somewhat illustrious—he took out Novak Djokovic in the second round, Stanislas Wawrinka in the fourth, and Feliciano Lopez in the quarterfinals. Inevitably, he was ousted by Federer, which is nothing any player can be ashamed of. Playing against the very talented Gael Monfils in Miami this year, Safin came within a point or so of beating the Frenchman several times. He served for the match not once, but twice in the third set, and actually held two match points on Monfils' own serve. My point? The man still has some of the sparkle that once caused Pete Sampras to praise him as "the future of tennis". Safin's career has been by no means ideal, plagued by various injuries and loss of form—He himself said he would "prefer to have the career of Roger Federer". (Who wouldn't?) But still, he's been hugely successful, winning two Grand Slams, appearing in five Masters Series, and gathering an immense fan base. With Safin's impending retirement, we have to wonder who will fill the hole he will leave? Every sport needs its resident bad-boy, and Safin certainly took that role to heart. Marat, you will be sorely missed—by all. bleacherreport.com/articles/151650-marat-safin-the-enigma-that-shall-cease-to-be |
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adout
New Member
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Post by adout on Apr 7, 2009 22:26:03 GMT 3
Thanks for that Safinno1. There are more articles about Marat on that site if anyone wants to take a look. |
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Post by maryb on Apr 7, 2009 22:59:28 GMT 3
I understand the boy. He's his own worst enemy., and no coach may get past that at this stage. Even his cybercoach/fairy godmother, despite best endeavours. She can't bypass that stubborn nature, hard as she tries. She's too similar. ;D LMAO. Finally owning up ... but even she's letting go on her personal hang-ups at a fairly advanced age ... maturity kicks in eventually, Big Yin.  But, he's still capable of surprising everyone with that talent. If he can let go of his self-criticism. Even just for 6 months ... I expect 'one more big bang'. ;D Make it Wimbles, my Big Pixie. I will love you forever for that. FG PS The scarf and tartan shirt ensemble was a bit iffy. LMAO. Stick with the T-shirt. LOL ... and for gawd's sake, let that hair grow back. My legs have more hair. |
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Post by annie on Apr 9, 2009 8:18:14 GMT 3
Hey, you got that from Bleacher report, cool. I write there too...
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Post by memtennis on Apr 20, 2009 21:41:47 GMT 3
What do you think Russian ladies? Pure rubbish??? Ìàðàò Ñàôèí ñäåëàë ïðåäëîæåíèå ñîëèñòêå «Áëåñòÿùèõ» Íàñòå Îñèïîâîé life.ru/news/63955/ |
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Post by arwen21 on Apr 20, 2009 23:21:08 GMT 3
What do you think Russian ladies? Pure rubbish??? Ìàðàò Ñàôèí ñäåëàë ïðåäëîæåíèå ñîëèñòêå «Áëåñòÿùèõ» Íàñòå Îñèïîâîé life.ru/news/63955/You can't be serious...  well in all these years marat has proposed to at least 4 women.......if marat one day marries someone life.ru is going to be the last one to know.....  |
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