Post by Annie on Jun 28, 2005 15:51:40 GMT 3
An Open Letter to Marat
By Xi Xiyu
Please do not reproduce this elsewhere without his permission
12/12/2001
To Marat Safin
I'm a LOYAL fan of you from the graduate school of CAS (Chinese Academic of Science). I began to notice you and love you from 1998's Roland Garros just before the soccer World Cup. In the event you upset Agassi and Kuerten. From then on I know you are the future of tennis. Last year your perfect performance enjoys me very much, though it's a little bitter to lose the year's honor in the very last game. But in my opinion you're the BEST. I've watched "ATP Tennis Show" and gladly to see you made GREAT progress in backhand and volley. I'm sure you can make more progresses.
I don't know if last year's failure effect your confidence, (this year Hewitt win No1, and I feel relieved merely because Kuerten DIDN'T get it, frankly I don't like Hewitt, but I won't gloss over my more dislike of Kuerten.) and your back injury have made you neglect you enter the term of adjustment. But take it easy, and it doesn't matter. Sampras won his second slam three years after his first. He is one of the greatest players in history. Some people say you 're a meteor and you won't back form to No1, neither you will get another Slam. I think they're too NEAR-SIGHTED. The next decade belongs to you, and if you WILL, you will stay No1 for many, many years. Sampras has splendid past; you will have splendid future.
Let's take next year for instance. You have great chance in earning FrenchOpen and USOpen. I think you're one of the best clay-player in the world, and I don't think Kuerten will have luck winning in Paris clay again. You used to play good tennis in New York and your form in the second half year often better than that in the first half. You even have big opportunity in Wimbledon. With Sampras and Agassi's growing old and Rafter's retirement, many players have chance winning it, and you are of the biggest chance. And furthermore, if you can lift up the AusOpen Crown right on your BIRTHDAY, how Happy we fans will be! And I trust your ability. You'll earn at least one Master Series on clay; you can also earn a Master in North America; you still have chance in Paris Indoor. You can win at least three other Opens, including one or two gold series. Last but not least, you will win the Master Cup in Shanghai, and I'll go there and cheer for you if possible. (I still hope you win 2008 Beijing Olympic Medal, for frankly I can't find a Chinese who have chance earning it till now). Thus your can earn some 1,000 points in the year and of course, you're No1. It sounds good, isn't it? I think (and hope) you will play more perfectly. And even if you fail to be No1, I won't turn my love to other guys.
I love you not only because of your tennis technique and style (I like Agassi and Hewitt's tennis but I don't like their personality.) but also as a MAN. (I like Andy and Lapentti but I don't think they can be top players; I like Philiposis but I don't like the style: serving, rushing to volley, and that's all. I like Micheal Chang and Moya too, but certainly not so much as you) I can't imagine man so HANDSOME before seeing you. I think this is a good excuse. I'm not a man who shows special interest in a male, but one must admit you're too perfect a man in good shape. You have a prince's appearance and a prince's qualities. For tennis is a NOBLE game, isn't it? And I don't like Kuerten, Rios and Grosjean, for their looking so strange. It's like the case that I admit Zidane is good, but my favorite soccer star is Raul.
I have some advices for you. If you won't take it, it's OK; if you can do me a favor, or if my advice seem do something good for you, I'll be very happy. These advices are somewhat harsh, but as the old saying goes: "Bitter medicine cures illness indeed." I truly hope you act the best.
The first is on SELF-CONFIDENCE. You sometimes underestimate yourself. When you play with a hard opponent, you easily become nervous, lose your temper, and even throw the racket. And you lose easily. Tennis is the marathon in ball games and it needs patience. You struggle, and you can't find your rhythm; but never give up, wait for every chance. I always reckon your match against Philiposis in last November's Paris carpet is the BEST match I've ever seen. In that match you show your talents, your techniques, your valiance, your strength, and your confidence. You win a big match not only because you play well, but also because you act as a knight.
The second is on your SCHEDULE. You take part in so many tournaments. I know you want to give fans more pleasure. You work hard: this is good. But you are not a machine, and one can't keep form in consecutive matches. I don't think your participation in Hong Kong and Lyon is wise. I have seen your photos with the American-born Chinese canary Liwen (her English name is CoCo, isn't it?) In the scene you're wearing an ancient Chinese dress. I don't mean you shouldn't take part in those parties, on the contrary, I like you both; the key is the Hong Kong Open affords too little points and too little prices and it doesn't match you. As for this year, except Moscow and St. Petersburg, you can attend events like Dubai, Barcelona, Indianapolis, etc. These match you.
The third is how to deal with MONEY. You are a star; you are famous in the whole world; you are wealthy. Many people come to you. Some are for your personal charm, but many are merely for your money. You are ready to make friends; you treat them honestly-but some "friends" are not true friends. So you must know one's intention before making friends wish him. Furthermore, don't spend money without plan. You're still too many years to undergo, so you'd better have a plan. If you denote more money for Social Welfare like Sampras, we'll be more appreciate.
The forth is how to confront with CRITICISM. Most people love you, while some people dislike you-even scold you. I can't intervene of their privates, but there must be someone ENVIES you. That's not the problem; in most case they hiss you merely because they love you-they want you to do better, I won't buy Kuerten's tickets (except with you), I don't care about him, certainly I don't hiss him, and I won't take pleasure on his misfortune. In August in Montreal you quit at Round1, some people hissed you; I'm sure you're honest: you're injured. But you must show sympathy for the audiences: they bought ticket for you; they want your good performance; you quit, they're disappointed. This reminds me of Andy in Cincinatti, where he met Kuerten in the first round when he's injured he persisted, he lost, but the audience cheered for him! So you should forgive the masses in Moscow and you should attend the event there, after all, it's your native land, your birthplace.
Some people treat you differently merely because you're Russian. Even the ATP official treats you unfairly. But don't feel shame of your country. You should feel PROUD of it. As the old maxim says: "Our nation, right or wrong", one can't determine his country, and he must love it. In the nation so many writers, mathematicians, scientists, artists, composers and politicians are born, so it's a great country. In the last decade many things happened in your motherland. Your nation went through a tough reformation (I think it's necessary). Many things changed. But as the great former USSR leader Lenin said: "Bread will come; all will come." I think Russians can overcome all the difficulties. After all, you have a smart leader Putin.
Till now some 1,000 words may be completed, and if you can have interests in reading till here, I'll be deeply honored. I merely love you so I wrote the above things; if it can help you at the least measure, my works deserve.
May you have a splendid future!!!
Yours sincerely
Xu Xiyu
By Xi Xiyu
Please do not reproduce this elsewhere without his permission
12/12/2001
To Marat Safin
I'm a LOYAL fan of you from the graduate school of CAS (Chinese Academic of Science). I began to notice you and love you from 1998's Roland Garros just before the soccer World Cup. In the event you upset Agassi and Kuerten. From then on I know you are the future of tennis. Last year your perfect performance enjoys me very much, though it's a little bitter to lose the year's honor in the very last game. But in my opinion you're the BEST. I've watched "ATP Tennis Show" and gladly to see you made GREAT progress in backhand and volley. I'm sure you can make more progresses.
I don't know if last year's failure effect your confidence, (this year Hewitt win No1, and I feel relieved merely because Kuerten DIDN'T get it, frankly I don't like Hewitt, but I won't gloss over my more dislike of Kuerten.) and your back injury have made you neglect you enter the term of adjustment. But take it easy, and it doesn't matter. Sampras won his second slam three years after his first. He is one of the greatest players in history. Some people say you 're a meteor and you won't back form to No1, neither you will get another Slam. I think they're too NEAR-SIGHTED. The next decade belongs to you, and if you WILL, you will stay No1 for many, many years. Sampras has splendid past; you will have splendid future.
Let's take next year for instance. You have great chance in earning FrenchOpen and USOpen. I think you're one of the best clay-player in the world, and I don't think Kuerten will have luck winning in Paris clay again. You used to play good tennis in New York and your form in the second half year often better than that in the first half. You even have big opportunity in Wimbledon. With Sampras and Agassi's growing old and Rafter's retirement, many players have chance winning it, and you are of the biggest chance. And furthermore, if you can lift up the AusOpen Crown right on your BIRTHDAY, how Happy we fans will be! And I trust your ability. You'll earn at least one Master Series on clay; you can also earn a Master in North America; you still have chance in Paris Indoor. You can win at least three other Opens, including one or two gold series. Last but not least, you will win the Master Cup in Shanghai, and I'll go there and cheer for you if possible. (I still hope you win 2008 Beijing Olympic Medal, for frankly I can't find a Chinese who have chance earning it till now). Thus your can earn some 1,000 points in the year and of course, you're No1. It sounds good, isn't it? I think (and hope) you will play more perfectly. And even if you fail to be No1, I won't turn my love to other guys.
I love you not only because of your tennis technique and style (I like Agassi and Hewitt's tennis but I don't like their personality.) but also as a MAN. (I like Andy and Lapentti but I don't think they can be top players; I like Philiposis but I don't like the style: serving, rushing to volley, and that's all. I like Micheal Chang and Moya too, but certainly not so much as you) I can't imagine man so HANDSOME before seeing you. I think this is a good excuse. I'm not a man who shows special interest in a male, but one must admit you're too perfect a man in good shape. You have a prince's appearance and a prince's qualities. For tennis is a NOBLE game, isn't it? And I don't like Kuerten, Rios and Grosjean, for their looking so strange. It's like the case that I admit Zidane is good, but my favorite soccer star is Raul.
I have some advices for you. If you won't take it, it's OK; if you can do me a favor, or if my advice seem do something good for you, I'll be very happy. These advices are somewhat harsh, but as the old saying goes: "Bitter medicine cures illness indeed." I truly hope you act the best.
The first is on SELF-CONFIDENCE. You sometimes underestimate yourself. When you play with a hard opponent, you easily become nervous, lose your temper, and even throw the racket. And you lose easily. Tennis is the marathon in ball games and it needs patience. You struggle, and you can't find your rhythm; but never give up, wait for every chance. I always reckon your match against Philiposis in last November's Paris carpet is the BEST match I've ever seen. In that match you show your talents, your techniques, your valiance, your strength, and your confidence. You win a big match not only because you play well, but also because you act as a knight.
The second is on your SCHEDULE. You take part in so many tournaments. I know you want to give fans more pleasure. You work hard: this is good. But you are not a machine, and one can't keep form in consecutive matches. I don't think your participation in Hong Kong and Lyon is wise. I have seen your photos with the American-born Chinese canary Liwen (her English name is CoCo, isn't it?) In the scene you're wearing an ancient Chinese dress. I don't mean you shouldn't take part in those parties, on the contrary, I like you both; the key is the Hong Kong Open affords too little points and too little prices and it doesn't match you. As for this year, except Moscow and St. Petersburg, you can attend events like Dubai, Barcelona, Indianapolis, etc. These match you.
The third is how to deal with MONEY. You are a star; you are famous in the whole world; you are wealthy. Many people come to you. Some are for your personal charm, but many are merely for your money. You are ready to make friends; you treat them honestly-but some "friends" are not true friends. So you must know one's intention before making friends wish him. Furthermore, don't spend money without plan. You're still too many years to undergo, so you'd better have a plan. If you denote more money for Social Welfare like Sampras, we'll be more appreciate.
The forth is how to confront with CRITICISM. Most people love you, while some people dislike you-even scold you. I can't intervene of their privates, but there must be someone ENVIES you. That's not the problem; in most case they hiss you merely because they love you-they want you to do better, I won't buy Kuerten's tickets (except with you), I don't care about him, certainly I don't hiss him, and I won't take pleasure on his misfortune. In August in Montreal you quit at Round1, some people hissed you; I'm sure you're honest: you're injured. But you must show sympathy for the audiences: they bought ticket for you; they want your good performance; you quit, they're disappointed. This reminds me of Andy in Cincinatti, where he met Kuerten in the first round when he's injured he persisted, he lost, but the audience cheered for him! So you should forgive the masses in Moscow and you should attend the event there, after all, it's your native land, your birthplace.
Some people treat you differently merely because you're Russian. Even the ATP official treats you unfairly. But don't feel shame of your country. You should feel PROUD of it. As the old maxim says: "Our nation, right or wrong", one can't determine his country, and he must love it. In the nation so many writers, mathematicians, scientists, artists, composers and politicians are born, so it's a great country. In the last decade many things happened in your motherland. Your nation went through a tough reformation (I think it's necessary). Many things changed. But as the great former USSR leader Lenin said: "Bread will come; all will come." I think Russians can overcome all the difficulties. After all, you have a smart leader Putin.
Till now some 1,000 words may be completed, and if you can have interests in reading till here, I'll be deeply honored. I merely love you so I wrote the above things; if it can help you at the least measure, my works deserve.
May you have a splendid future!!!
Yours sincerely
Xu Xiyu
