Post by Annie on Jun 11, 2005 19:04:07 GMT 3
Interview with the newspaper "Antenna" No 49 (255) 6 - 12 December
Marat Safin: I'm a fan of Karkusha (an unreal crow from a Russian children's TV-show)
Our editorial office was nearly drowned in the flood of letters, which were written by girls, who implored us with tears to tell them more about the life of 19-year old tennis player Marat Safin. It's not a surprise that Marat is so popular, he's already one of the strongest tennis players in the world and the No 2 in Russia. Besides that, he's a nice, charming guy.
Marat, you have so many fans, do you ever meet them?
I talk more with my friends, not because I'm so cool, just because I trust them more and it's more comfortable for me. I feel calm in my circle of friends. But when strangers behave normally with me, with respect, then I treat them the same.
Do people in the streets recognize you yet?
Not yet. In Moscow they sometimes do, but not very often.
And the police?
Of course they stop me, but they don't give me any special treatment. Generally, I try not to break the rules, but sometimes it happens. You can't run away from it.
Which car do you drive?
A "Mitsubishi Padgero"(
). It's a small one.
You live in Spain, drive a lot. How often do you visit your parents in Moscow?
I'm not here in Russia very much. On the whole, I'm here one month a year. Although I feel the most comfortable at home, in Moscow.
What's your favourite type of food?
Ours. I like borsh, pelmeni&ldots;
Do you have to keep to a strict diet?
Look at me. Have you seen me on court?
Of course I have.
A diet? I have to eat as much as I can.
And what about bad habits?
(pause) Hard question&ldots;..I'm not a drinker, not a smoker and not a drug user.
Of course, you've been in sport from a young age.
During my childhood I had to choose between football and tennis. They didn't take me on at the football academy - I wasn't the right size. At that time, I was clumsy, awkward. But they took me for tennis, my mom is a coach. Our family is very peaceable, cheerful. Sometimes we curse at each other, but that's normal. My family doesn't interfere in my game.
Weren't you afraid to go alone to Spain at the age of 14?
Of course I was afraid, but the sport demands sacrifice. It had to be this way, that's why I went. Although it's tough without parents. Sometimes I just miss them. But that's my job and I got used to it.
Marat, tell us about your girlfriend.
Can we not talk about this subject? Oh, Please! I don't want to talk about it.
Okay then, let's talk about another "girl". They say Madonna put you in her list of men that she would like to father her next child.
I heard about it, but, in my mind, it's ridiculous. But okay, well, I've nothing against it.
Which tennis players are your friends?
Kafelnikov, Medvedev.
Tennis, perhaps, interrupted your education? What were you like at school?
Like the others. At school they laughed at me - he's panting, playing tennis, running away from the class. But now people look at me with respect - well he's not playing bad.
What are your hobbies except tennis? What do you read, listen to?
I'm reading Ceiza(). Listening to all the shit - trance, techno. When it's a real good thing, then also pop and rock. Sometimes - "Metallica", "Halloween". It depends on my mood.
Have you time for TV?
I've always time for the goggle-box. I love to watch it, especially movies. I love "Good night, children!".
Are you now a fan of Hryusha or Stepasha?(unreal pig and hare from this show)
I'm a fan of Karkusha.
What do you watch more often - our TV or the Spanish TV?
I'm watching ours and German, French and Spanish TV, and a little bit of everything, because I'm travelling to tournaments. But I don't like American TV - they have too much advertising.
Would you like to take part in advertising, like many other sportsmen?
I would like to, with pleasure, if they offered it to me. But nobody 's offered anything yet.
Original translator: Unknown fan from Maratsafinsland @ Yahoo! Clubs
Current english version: Ruth
IF YOU WISH TO POST THESE INTERVIEWS ELSE WHERE PLEASE INCLUDE CREDIT FOR ALL TRANSLATORS MENTIONED AND THE GUYFROMRUSSIA URL FOR THE INTERVIEW THANK YOU!!
Marat Safin: I'm a fan of Karkusha (an unreal crow from a Russian children's TV-show)
Our editorial office was nearly drowned in the flood of letters, which were written by girls, who implored us with tears to tell them more about the life of 19-year old tennis player Marat Safin. It's not a surprise that Marat is so popular, he's already one of the strongest tennis players in the world and the No 2 in Russia. Besides that, he's a nice, charming guy.
Marat, you have so many fans, do you ever meet them?
I talk more with my friends, not because I'm so cool, just because I trust them more and it's more comfortable for me. I feel calm in my circle of friends. But when strangers behave normally with me, with respect, then I treat them the same.
Do people in the streets recognize you yet?
Not yet. In Moscow they sometimes do, but not very often.
And the police?
Of course they stop me, but they don't give me any special treatment. Generally, I try not to break the rules, but sometimes it happens. You can't run away from it.
Which car do you drive?
A "Mitsubishi Padgero"(
). It's a small one.You live in Spain, drive a lot. How often do you visit your parents in Moscow?
I'm not here in Russia very much. On the whole, I'm here one month a year. Although I feel the most comfortable at home, in Moscow.
What's your favourite type of food?
Ours. I like borsh, pelmeni&ldots;
Do you have to keep to a strict diet?
Look at me. Have you seen me on court?
Of course I have.
A diet? I have to eat as much as I can.
And what about bad habits?
(pause) Hard question&ldots;..I'm not a drinker, not a smoker and not a drug user.
Of course, you've been in sport from a young age.
During my childhood I had to choose between football and tennis. They didn't take me on at the football academy - I wasn't the right size. At that time, I was clumsy, awkward. But they took me for tennis, my mom is a coach. Our family is very peaceable, cheerful. Sometimes we curse at each other, but that's normal. My family doesn't interfere in my game.
Weren't you afraid to go alone to Spain at the age of 14?
Of course I was afraid, but the sport demands sacrifice. It had to be this way, that's why I went. Although it's tough without parents. Sometimes I just miss them. But that's my job and I got used to it.
Marat, tell us about your girlfriend.
Can we not talk about this subject? Oh, Please! I don't want to talk about it.
Okay then, let's talk about another "girl". They say Madonna put you in her list of men that she would like to father her next child.
I heard about it, but, in my mind, it's ridiculous. But okay, well, I've nothing against it.
Which tennis players are your friends?
Kafelnikov, Medvedev.
Tennis, perhaps, interrupted your education? What were you like at school?
Like the others. At school they laughed at me - he's panting, playing tennis, running away from the class. But now people look at me with respect - well he's not playing bad.
What are your hobbies except tennis? What do you read, listen to?
I'm reading Ceiza(
). Listening to all the shit - trance, techno. When it's a real good thing, then also pop and rock. Sometimes - "Metallica", "Halloween". It depends on my mood.Have you time for TV?
I've always time for the goggle-box. I love to watch it, especially movies. I love "Good night, children!".
Are you now a fan of Hryusha or Stepasha?(unreal pig and hare from this show)
I'm a fan of Karkusha.
What do you watch more often - our TV or the Spanish TV?
I'm watching ours and German, French and Spanish TV, and a little bit of everything, because I'm travelling to tournaments. But I don't like American TV - they have too much advertising.
Would you like to take part in advertising, like many other sportsmen?
I would like to, with pleasure, if they offered it to me. But nobody 's offered anything yet.
Original translator: Unknown fan from Maratsafinsland @ Yahoo! Clubs
Current english version: Ruth
IF YOU WISH TO POST THESE INTERVIEWS ELSE WHERE PLEASE INCLUDE CREDIT FOR ALL TRANSLATORS MENTIONED AND THE GUYFROMRUSSIA URL FOR THE INTERVIEW THANK YOU!!
