Post by Annie on Jun 11, 2005 19:07:57 GMT 3
Marat Safin: I'm not an internet dunce!
Interview date: 2000
By Victor Khruschev
This conversation with Marat Safin took place with a correspondent of 'News of the Times' newspaper, on the courts of Olimpskiy Stadium, where the Kremlin Cup tournament is now held. Yesterday our chief player was presented to the public as the new face of Russian internet company Port.ru. [Marat is no longer associated with them - Ruth] Now according to his contract with this firm, the tennis player is responsible for not only submitting to the advertising, but also for making contact with the public and sports fans via the internet.
Q. Marat, how have your internet skills been up until now?
M. Generally speaking, I've been familiar with computers for a long time. And I was online when the internet was still only developing in Russia. In Spain, where I trained for a long time, I really missed communication in my native language especially in the beginning, so I gradually mastered Runet [Russian Internet - Ruth] and began surfing Russian sites. So I'm by no means a 'dunce'. [beginner]
Q. Is a computer a necessity for you in everyday life?
M. When I'm at home or in Valencia, then yes. But at the tournaments I sit at the keyboard only occasionally. The schedule of playing is so tight.
Q. A lot of foreign sites dedicated to you publish many frank photos of you. Are you shocked by this?
M. Well, there's nothing erotic there! [laughs] But usually, there are several photos taken from a domestic situation. [Everyday life, at home etc] How was this done? Well, journalists and photographers do interviews with me and as part of that, they ask me for some informal photos without my tennis racket. I rarely object. This is part of my work, and indeed, part of yours. But I like good photographs of me.
Q. You say you like to vanish, and not only behind a computer. You've been seen repeatedly in night clubs and bars in Moscow&ldots;&ldots;
M. I don't hide myself! The fact is I love to meet up with friends, listen to music, sometimes drink some good wine. The main thing is to keep yourself in check. And so far I seem to have succeeded. Yesterday I went for a walk till 3AM, but this doesn't mean I was boozing all night without any limits. Just a feeling that it was the right time to return home prompted me to leave.
Q. Maybe similar situations [i.e staying out late & drinking] have affected your game, like after brilliant victories you suddenly lose in the first round of the next tournament?
M. The loses have many reasons. But remember, I didn't pass the first round at Kremlin Cup last year, but I've already won one match here this year. I hate disappointing my fans, but failures happen. But I always leave court with a clear goal for victory, and this year, it's to be number one at the end of the year.
Q. What do you need to do to achieve this?
M. Concentration, quality practices and a good mood.
Q. By the way, about your practices, you're not being coached by Andrei Chesnokov and Alexander Volkov anymore?
M. It's the most popular question from journalists. I'm not going to speculate, Andrei and Sasha remain my friends, but our collaboration has been completed for the time being. They helped me greatly in the summer and autumn to prepare for tournaments. But now we're taking a break from each other! [laughs]
Q. The last part of the season will be a difficult time for you&ldots;.
M. Yes, everything focuses on the fight for world number one. I will play Stuttgart, St.Petersburg, Paris and Lisbon. I really hope in December I can return to being number one in the ATP Rankings.
Translated by Ruth (with help from Maria V)
Original source: www.marat-safin.narod.ru/info/inter/internet.html
Interview date: 2000
By Victor Khruschev
This conversation with Marat Safin took place with a correspondent of 'News of the Times' newspaper, on the courts of Olimpskiy Stadium, where the Kremlin Cup tournament is now held. Yesterday our chief player was presented to the public as the new face of Russian internet company Port.ru. [Marat is no longer associated with them - Ruth] Now according to his contract with this firm, the tennis player is responsible for not only submitting to the advertising, but also for making contact with the public and sports fans via the internet.
Q. Marat, how have your internet skills been up until now?
M. Generally speaking, I've been familiar with computers for a long time. And I was online when the internet was still only developing in Russia. In Spain, where I trained for a long time, I really missed communication in my native language especially in the beginning, so I gradually mastered Runet [Russian Internet - Ruth] and began surfing Russian sites. So I'm by no means a 'dunce'. [beginner]
Q. Is a computer a necessity for you in everyday life?
M. When I'm at home or in Valencia, then yes. But at the tournaments I sit at the keyboard only occasionally. The schedule of playing is so tight.
Q. A lot of foreign sites dedicated to you publish many frank photos of you. Are you shocked by this?
M. Well, there's nothing erotic there! [laughs] But usually, there are several photos taken from a domestic situation. [Everyday life, at home etc] How was this done? Well, journalists and photographers do interviews with me and as part of that, they ask me for some informal photos without my tennis racket. I rarely object. This is part of my work, and indeed, part of yours. But I like good photographs of me.
Q. You say you like to vanish, and not only behind a computer. You've been seen repeatedly in night clubs and bars in Moscow&ldots;&ldots;
M. I don't hide myself! The fact is I love to meet up with friends, listen to music, sometimes drink some good wine. The main thing is to keep yourself in check. And so far I seem to have succeeded. Yesterday I went for a walk till 3AM, but this doesn't mean I was boozing all night without any limits. Just a feeling that it was the right time to return home prompted me to leave.
Q. Maybe similar situations [i.e staying out late & drinking] have affected your game, like after brilliant victories you suddenly lose in the first round of the next tournament?
M. The loses have many reasons. But remember, I didn't pass the first round at Kremlin Cup last year, but I've already won one match here this year. I hate disappointing my fans, but failures happen. But I always leave court with a clear goal for victory, and this year, it's to be number one at the end of the year.
Q. What do you need to do to achieve this?
M. Concentration, quality practices and a good mood.
Q. By the way, about your practices, you're not being coached by Andrei Chesnokov and Alexander Volkov anymore?
M. It's the most popular question from journalists. I'm not going to speculate, Andrei and Sasha remain my friends, but our collaboration has been completed for the time being. They helped me greatly in the summer and autumn to prepare for tournaments. But now we're taking a break from each other! [laughs]
Q. The last part of the season will be a difficult time for you&ldots;.
M. Yes, everything focuses on the fight for world number one. I will play Stuttgart, St.Petersburg, Paris and Lisbon. I really hope in December I can return to being number one in the ATP Rankings.
Translated by Ruth (with help from Maria V)
Original source: www.marat-safin.narod.ru/info/inter/internet.html
