Post by Annie on Jun 11, 2005 19:11:41 GMT 3
Sobesdnik Interview 2001
Marat Safin: A Born Sex- symbol
The past six weeks have been the most successful in the brief tennis career of Marat Safin. After winning two tournaments and a successful run in the team-doubles in Dusseldorf and the French Open, this Russian, with the Spanish residence and the looks of a Hollywood sex- symbol, for the first time entered the top ten tennis-players on the planet. And already, no expert doubts that Marat will soon become the world number one. True, experts are divided over when this will happen. According to some of them - the pessimists - Safin will reach his peak only in the next season. Others - the optimists - are assured that by autumn Marat will head the so-called ATP race. Who of them will prove to be in the right, time will tell, but one thing is already clear - the days of Yevgeny Kafelnikov as the number one Russian player are numbered...
Spanish sermons and punishment by Kournikova
Today Safin is constantly compared with another young celebrity from Russia - Anna Kournikova. During childhood, fate constantly placed the two child prodigies together. Their mothers were, if not friends, familiar with each other. In those dark days of domestic tennis, Alla Kournikova generously shared with the mother of Marat - Rauza Islanova- scarce things like balls, rackets and sports equipment. But, in spite of this, their children did not become friends. Even if Marat says he has some respect for the angelic blonde, this will no doubt be mixed with some bad memories. Indeed, back then, he was the weakest player in the boys group, so the coaches punished him by making him practice with Anna.
This method of teaching was not new - 15 years earlier, coaches in the small German town Of Lemen, in exactly the same way, mocked Boris Becker, forcing him to practice with a long-nosed German girl by the name of Stefi Graf. Many years later, the tormentor Of Safin, who had become the sex- symbol of contemporary tennis, takes pleasure in publicly teasing the new star:" Back then I loved playing with Marat. He wanted to win so passionately, that he was constantly excited and committed absurd errors. But then, after losing to me yet again, he began to cry like a baby!" Even today, when Safin reached the top ten (Kournikova having not reached the same goal), " Anna Velikolepnaya " still refuses to acknowledge her former practice partner:" We haven't had contact for a long time - mainly because we have different circles of friends and different interests ". However, Marat does not have any desire to join his compatriots list of 'trophy-lovers'; therefore he carefully avoids all place where they could accidentally meet.
The familiarity between the two brightest stars of Russian tennis ends with the friendship between their families and the forced practice sessions. Kournikova was only nine when she left for a three-month practice period in the Bolleteri academy, where she became an instant celebrity. However, Safin had to suffer in Moscow for several more years before the idea of leaving Russia became a possibility. And even then, the new place for training Marat had far less prestige than the new home of his childhood friend. - Valencia, Spain - a typically God-forsaken place in terms of tennis. "But nobody asked my opinion on where I should go. The Sponsors said Valencia, and I, after clenching my teeth, went. But now I understand why they sent me! Indeed, they could have sent me somewhere like Iceland or, even worse, India!" So, at the age of 12, he arrived in a completely strange country with an incomprehensible language, a disgusting style of food and medieval customs. It is not surprising that for the first three months, Marat constantly rang home and literally begged his parents:" Take me away right now! I can't live here any longer!" He also hid the fact that his landlady, in the apartment he was staying in, was an old maid, who constantly read him sermons and made sure the boy didn't associate with any of the friendly neighbors.
In the course of time Marat, of course, adapted to life in the Pyrenees: he learned Spanish, made friends at the clubs, fell in love, and he even made friends with the landlady. The Russian clearly worked well with his new coach - Rafael Mensua, who quickly saw the potential of the lanky adolescent (by the age of 15 Safin had already grown to 189 cm) and, after breaking away from less talented youths, Mensua concentrated solely on the Russian.
After being "the Russian Bazooka ", he became "the terminator"
For the first time Marat found it necessary to talk about his own life when he found himself in the Russian Davis Cup team against the Americans. And although he lost both matches (at that time he was 170th in the world) the fight he put up against two giants - Andre Agassi and Jim Courier - was considerable.
The former world number one did not hide his admiration of the young Russian." If he progresses further, then he'll have a serious chance at entering the top 50 next year ". However, Jim was mistaken in his prediction. In order to be in the prized top fifty, Safin didn't need a year; only five months.
Specifically, during these five months, Marat had two more than successful appearances at both the French and American Open. Most spectacular was his debut at "Roland Garros ". The 18 year old tennis-player started the tournament by destroying the fans favourite Andre Agassi on clay in the first round. Thanks to this, he earned the nickname of 'Giant Killer'. But this wasn't enough for Marat, and in the following round, he defeated the reigning champion, Gustavo Kuerten. After this, French journalists renamed him "the Russian Bazooka ". The third victim of this daring debutant was one of the best doubles players, and, by the way, the only friend Of Kafelnikov - Daniel Vatchek. From this victory, Marat got his final nickname - the new terminator.
Three months later Safin repeated his Parisian achievement, after reaching the fourth round of the US Open, where, after an incredible fight, Marat finally lost to then world number one Pete Sampras. Pete himself was quick to compliment the Russian:" Neither I nor any other professional player could play as strongly at 18 as Marat Safin. I am confident, that after only three years, he will become number one!"
However, he could not keep this up. Marat had the first signs of injury - which was inevitable after all the satellites he'd played, and as a result, for almost the entire season of 1999, Safin played in the background.
The beginning of this year was humiliating for the Spanish-Russian. During the Australian Open Safin made history as the first professional to be fined $2500 dollars for "the explicit unwillingness to carry on a match ". But even this punishment, which would be a total humiliation for any self-respecting tennis-player, could not rouse Marat. With perseverance, despite his best efforts, he continued to lose one match after another without venting his anger in anyway, except for breaking his innocent rackets. (By the calculations of American magazine "Tennis Match ", in the first three months of this year Marat broke "only " 23 rackets.)
It was at this point, when Safin seemed trapped in a tennis swamp, the situation radically changed. His first step towards leaving the pit of despair came in the form of Andrei Chesnokov's invitation to be his new coach, instead of managing his responsibilities with Mensua. At first, the new union caused only a few ironic smiles in the tennis world, one member noted:" Evidently, Marat must be worse off than we thought, if he's decided to turn to this philatelist ". Without denying the large experience and intellect of Andrei - keeper of one of the largest collections of stamps in the country, experts openly doubted the fact that the slow natured, melancholic had the right qualities to help Safin.
First of all, as his new teacher, Chesnokov made Safin sharply reduced the amount of contact he had with his hotheaded, energy-consuming, draining girlfriend Silvia, who Marat could not escape for less than ten hours. Then he started on his game." I simply said to him: it's better to use less force, and try to place the ball in the court, as deep as possible. Marat followed my advice - and everything fell into place!" Thus Andrei Chesnokov modestly described his merits.
This union, undertaken "by a sedate person" had a direct effect on Marat's season, and brought the first results at the end of April, when Safin won the Barcelona tournament in bright style. But Mallorca, the tournament the week before emphasized the crushing pressure on Marat. In seven days, at the famous health resort, Safin, in excellent style, re-played five very strong rivals, including local idol - Carlos Moya. And earned 35 points in the champion's race. Moving up to seventeenth place was the reward for our compatriot, as well as $66,000. But after successful appearances in the French Open, where Marat finally went out to the strongest French tennis-player, Cedric Pioline, Safin, for the first time entered the top ten, and managed to catch up with his "elder brother " - Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
" The Leonardo Di Caprio of tennis"
Marat Safin has done more for the popularity of Russia in the Spanish-speaking world, than the MID, Itar- TASS and the service of the external reconnaissance put together. The 20 year old guy, with our passport and a residence in Spain, has become the most well known Russian West of the Pyrenees. His successful appearances in the Davis Cup and the French and US Open, has made his nicknames stick, like "terminator from the 21st century ". And unofficially, the charming title of sex- symbol. The tall, likable giant (196 cm in height and still growing) has gained enormous popularity with his fans. Repeatedly, journalists have witnessed the ecstasy which Marat creates in young Frenchwomen at "Roland Garros" and young Englishwomen at Wimbledon. To say that members of the fairer sex lose their head over him would be an understatement. Hundreds of young girls and respectable women tried to break through the strong police cordon to touch Marat, and try and pass phone numbers and notes to him. The American tennis magazine 'Tennis Match' hailed Safin as "currently the sexiest young tennis player" and "the Leonardo Di Caprio of tennis ". At the same time, Marat had to face "Safinmania" in Moscow. There he gained a whole new legion of female fans (or: prostitutes), but their crusade to win his heart was met with failure. His Spanish girlfriend would not let any other girl (or: prostitute) within three metres of Safin, and when one girl (or: prostitute) got his hotel number at the 'Penta' hotel, and tried to go inside his room, Silvia, like the great-granddaughter of Carmen, lashed out at her rival. (literally: struck the evil in the rivals face) While all this female excitement whirled around him, Marat quietly endured it, mainly because he was with his Spanish girlfriend Silvia Torrens-Valero. All we know about the Spaniard is she lives near Marat. And, as those in the know have said, Marat met her sister first, who was training in the same group as him. But Silvia, like most of her hot-blooded compatriots, drew him away, and held him in her 'death-grip' [their words not mine!] On hearing this, his mother was very hurt, because her only son no longer traveled with her, but had been replaced with Silvia, who, to make matters worse, was also Marat's senior by some years. However, any mother in her place would react the same way! But Silvia should be on her guard. Lately, more and more famous women are paying the 'terminator' attention. Madonna noticed Safin two years ago at the French Open and he was added to her list of men she would like to father her next child. Fortunately for Marat, her hot Latin lover 'presented' the pop diva with a daughter, and relieved the tennis-player of any uncomfortable contact with the singer. But Madonna isn't the only one with an interest. Recently, Hollywood star Penelope Cruz admitted her desire for the handsome young man. The long-legged brunette from Spain, who wowed the public at the last Oscar ceremony, promised she would be Safin's lover by autumn! So who knows if Marat and Silvia will stay together?
Advertising borsch on Taiwan TV
In the sex-symbol rankings of world tennis, Marat has to take third place, conceding only to American Jan-Michael Gambill, with the nickname "Hollywood" and Kournikova's Australian friend Mark Phillipoussis, with the nickname " The Scud ". But if these two players have earned millions through clever managers, many public appearances and millions of fans, the same can't be said for Marat, who doesn't have either the millions of dollars, or the same huge fan base. The Russian also has a natural modesty which makes him shy away from media attention. All this time, Marat's career has been supervised by managers from the company " International Group Management " - people, who although they are authorities on management, use very old fashioned ideas: their main plan is to get their client high in the rankings, and everything else will flow from that. Therefore, the first two seasons of professional tennis, despite a lot of prize-winning, the 'sex-symbol' still drove only a second-hand "Golf" and couldn't afford to invite mum with dad to the US Open in New York. Eventually, having understood that with "International Group Management" you won't make much money, Marat began looking for new management. But instead of entrusting himself to the players 'favourite' and old 'tricksters' " Octagon ", Marat sought advice from Shamil Tarpishchev, who sent him to legendary tennis player and manager Ion Tisirac, who has managed Boris Becker and Goran Ivanisevic. However, the Romanian with the moustache had not done well in the past few years, and his company "Tivi International" had a pathetic existence. Then on the horizon came the most potentially profitable tennis player in the world. The unlucky manager seized the Russian, like a beggar with the winning lottery ticket. First of all, he was convinced Marat should leave Andrei Chesnokov, and be coached by his old friend John Pickard, who had recently parted company with well known British tennis player, Greg Rusedski.
"If Marat had contacted us today he would have receive millions of dollars for advertising new cars and he could appear everywhere in the company of people like Christina Aguilera. But he preferred to deal with a small-time company, and a Romanian bear, who is incapable of creating any worthwhile or lucrative projects for him, except for maybe advertising borsch on Taiwan TV!" This is what "Octagon" originally told me, regarding Safin's advertising prospects.
It is doubtful, that Tisriac can provide our tennis player with the same prosperous contracts that have filled up "Octagon's" clientele and have brought notoriety for Kournikova. And it also means, that in the near future, Safin will have to earn far more through tournament 'bonuses'. In the ATP, tournament organizers 'bribe' the big name players by offering them an end of year bonus for participating. For Safin, this means no more than $50,000 for a tournament, since he is still a rising star. (The same sources indicate Kafelnikov can earn around $100,000, with Sampras and Agassi already getting up to $300,000!)
Native blood
Unlike Alla and Sergei Kournikov, who, before the birth of Anna, had little understanding of professional tennis, Marat's mother and father were the real "tennis parents ". Mikhail Safin was pretty good in his youth on the all- Soviet Union athletic arena, but it was his wife Rauza Islanova who got the glory - by playing junior tennis for the USSR in the 60's & 70's.
When they entered the 80's with Marat and his younger sister Dinara, the couple were not rich people. And to make things worse, Marat's tennis required more money, so his sister had to train thanks to funds from the Kournikov's.
In having business contacts and the skill to find rich sponsors, Rauza Islanova was not as good as Alla Kournikova, however, Rausa was higher than Alla in tennis affairs. So when she and Marat were presented with the option of training in Spain, Rausa was still his first coach - mum literally spent day and night with him on court, having entrusted their small daughter to her husbands care. Rausa insisted that Marat went to Spain to train, because he couldn't progress any further in Russia.
It was very difficult for her each evening, when she called her son, who begged her to take him away from this awful Spain. Crying, she listened to him, but could do nothing- you see, the contract made by the sponsors stipulated, that parents have no right to interfere with the training and education of their child. To support their son, the parents would go to Spain twice a year, staying at hotels or self-catering/ bed & breakfast types. And instead of sunbathing on the beach or swimming in the sea, poor Rausa had to bake cabbage pies, prepare noodles and pelmenis all day long, because Marat missed Russian food so much.
And it's here that the Safin family differs from the Kournikov clan. Despite the fame of the son and the beginning of success for the daughter, they have remained simple, easygoing people, meeting each journalist at their house, like friends. And it's impossible to imagine Rausa Islanova, running around "Roland Garros ", to find the journalist who dared to write a critical article about her daughter, and scratch him a new face, as Alla Kournikova once threatened to do.
By Joseph Sasi
Translated by Ruth
Thanks To Tanja for her help.
Original source: www.sobesednik.ru/online/sensation/18.html
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: A Born Sex- symbol
The past six weeks have been the most successful in the brief tennis career of Marat Safin. After winning two tournaments and a successful run in the team-doubles in Dusseldorf and the French Open, this Russian, with the Spanish residence and the looks of a Hollywood sex- symbol, for the first time entered the top ten tennis-players on the planet. And already, no expert doubts that Marat will soon become the world number one. True, experts are divided over when this will happen. According to some of them - the pessimists - Safin will reach his peak only in the next season. Others - the optimists - are assured that by autumn Marat will head the so-called ATP race. Who of them will prove to be in the right, time will tell, but one thing is already clear - the days of Yevgeny Kafelnikov as the number one Russian player are numbered...
Spanish sermons and punishment by Kournikova
Today Safin is constantly compared with another young celebrity from Russia - Anna Kournikova. During childhood, fate constantly placed the two child prodigies together. Their mothers were, if not friends, familiar with each other. In those dark days of domestic tennis, Alla Kournikova generously shared with the mother of Marat - Rauza Islanova- scarce things like balls, rackets and sports equipment. But, in spite of this, their children did not become friends. Even if Marat says he has some respect for the angelic blonde, this will no doubt be mixed with some bad memories. Indeed, back then, he was the weakest player in the boys group, so the coaches punished him by making him practice with Anna.
This method of teaching was not new - 15 years earlier, coaches in the small German town Of Lemen, in exactly the same way, mocked Boris Becker, forcing him to practice with a long-nosed German girl by the name of Stefi Graf. Many years later, the tormentor Of Safin, who had become the sex- symbol of contemporary tennis, takes pleasure in publicly teasing the new star:" Back then I loved playing with Marat. He wanted to win so passionately, that he was constantly excited and committed absurd errors. But then, after losing to me yet again, he began to cry like a baby!" Even today, when Safin reached the top ten (Kournikova having not reached the same goal), " Anna Velikolepnaya " still refuses to acknowledge her former practice partner:" We haven't had contact for a long time - mainly because we have different circles of friends and different interests ". However, Marat does not have any desire to join his compatriots list of 'trophy-lovers'; therefore he carefully avoids all place where they could accidentally meet.
The familiarity between the two brightest stars of Russian tennis ends with the friendship between their families and the forced practice sessions. Kournikova was only nine when she left for a three-month practice period in the Bolleteri academy, where she became an instant celebrity. However, Safin had to suffer in Moscow for several more years before the idea of leaving Russia became a possibility. And even then, the new place for training Marat had far less prestige than the new home of his childhood friend. - Valencia, Spain - a typically God-forsaken place in terms of tennis. "But nobody asked my opinion on where I should go. The Sponsors said Valencia, and I, after clenching my teeth, went. But now I understand why they sent me! Indeed, they could have sent me somewhere like Iceland or, even worse, India!" So, at the age of 12, he arrived in a completely strange country with an incomprehensible language, a disgusting style of food and medieval customs. It is not surprising that for the first three months, Marat constantly rang home and literally begged his parents:" Take me away right now! I can't live here any longer!" He also hid the fact that his landlady, in the apartment he was staying in, was an old maid, who constantly read him sermons and made sure the boy didn't associate with any of the friendly neighbors.
In the course of time Marat, of course, adapted to life in the Pyrenees: he learned Spanish, made friends at the clubs, fell in love, and he even made friends with the landlady. The Russian clearly worked well with his new coach - Rafael Mensua, who quickly saw the potential of the lanky adolescent (by the age of 15 Safin had already grown to 189 cm) and, after breaking away from less talented youths, Mensua concentrated solely on the Russian.
After being "the Russian Bazooka ", he became "the terminator"
For the first time Marat found it necessary to talk about his own life when he found himself in the Russian Davis Cup team against the Americans. And although he lost both matches (at that time he was 170th in the world) the fight he put up against two giants - Andre Agassi and Jim Courier - was considerable.
The former world number one did not hide his admiration of the young Russian." If he progresses further, then he'll have a serious chance at entering the top 50 next year ". However, Jim was mistaken in his prediction. In order to be in the prized top fifty, Safin didn't need a year; only five months.
Specifically, during these five months, Marat had two more than successful appearances at both the French and American Open. Most spectacular was his debut at "Roland Garros ". The 18 year old tennis-player started the tournament by destroying the fans favourite Andre Agassi on clay in the first round. Thanks to this, he earned the nickname of 'Giant Killer'. But this wasn't enough for Marat, and in the following round, he defeated the reigning champion, Gustavo Kuerten. After this, French journalists renamed him "the Russian Bazooka ". The third victim of this daring debutant was one of the best doubles players, and, by the way, the only friend Of Kafelnikov - Daniel Vatchek. From this victory, Marat got his final nickname - the new terminator.
Three months later Safin repeated his Parisian achievement, after reaching the fourth round of the US Open, where, after an incredible fight, Marat finally lost to then world number one Pete Sampras. Pete himself was quick to compliment the Russian:" Neither I nor any other professional player could play as strongly at 18 as Marat Safin. I am confident, that after only three years, he will become number one!"
However, he could not keep this up. Marat had the first signs of injury - which was inevitable after all the satellites he'd played, and as a result, for almost the entire season of 1999, Safin played in the background.
The beginning of this year was humiliating for the Spanish-Russian. During the Australian Open Safin made history as the first professional to be fined $2500 dollars for "the explicit unwillingness to carry on a match ". But even this punishment, which would be a total humiliation for any self-respecting tennis-player, could not rouse Marat. With perseverance, despite his best efforts, he continued to lose one match after another without venting his anger in anyway, except for breaking his innocent rackets. (By the calculations of American magazine "Tennis Match ", in the first three months of this year Marat broke "only " 23 rackets.)
It was at this point, when Safin seemed trapped in a tennis swamp, the situation radically changed. His first step towards leaving the pit of despair came in the form of Andrei Chesnokov's invitation to be his new coach, instead of managing his responsibilities with Mensua. At first, the new union caused only a few ironic smiles in the tennis world, one member noted:" Evidently, Marat must be worse off than we thought, if he's decided to turn to this philatelist ". Without denying the large experience and intellect of Andrei - keeper of one of the largest collections of stamps in the country, experts openly doubted the fact that the slow natured, melancholic had the right qualities to help Safin.
First of all, as his new teacher, Chesnokov made Safin sharply reduced the amount of contact he had with his hotheaded, energy-consuming, draining girlfriend Silvia, who Marat could not escape for less than ten hours. Then he started on his game." I simply said to him: it's better to use less force, and try to place the ball in the court, as deep as possible. Marat followed my advice - and everything fell into place!" Thus Andrei Chesnokov modestly described his merits.
This union, undertaken "by a sedate person" had a direct effect on Marat's season, and brought the first results at the end of April, when Safin won the Barcelona tournament in bright style. But Mallorca, the tournament the week before emphasized the crushing pressure on Marat. In seven days, at the famous health resort, Safin, in excellent style, re-played five very strong rivals, including local idol - Carlos Moya. And earned 35 points in the champion's race. Moving up to seventeenth place was the reward for our compatriot, as well as $66,000. But after successful appearances in the French Open, where Marat finally went out to the strongest French tennis-player, Cedric Pioline, Safin, for the first time entered the top ten, and managed to catch up with his "elder brother " - Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
" The Leonardo Di Caprio of tennis"
Marat Safin has done more for the popularity of Russia in the Spanish-speaking world, than the MID, Itar- TASS and the service of the external reconnaissance put together. The 20 year old guy, with our passport and a residence in Spain, has become the most well known Russian West of the Pyrenees. His successful appearances in the Davis Cup and the French and US Open, has made his nicknames stick, like "terminator from the 21st century ". And unofficially, the charming title of sex- symbol. The tall, likable giant (196 cm in height and still growing) has gained enormous popularity with his fans. Repeatedly, journalists have witnessed the ecstasy which Marat creates in young Frenchwomen at "Roland Garros" and young Englishwomen at Wimbledon. To say that members of the fairer sex lose their head over him would be an understatement. Hundreds of young girls and respectable women tried to break through the strong police cordon to touch Marat, and try and pass phone numbers and notes to him. The American tennis magazine 'Tennis Match' hailed Safin as "currently the sexiest young tennis player" and "the Leonardo Di Caprio of tennis ". At the same time, Marat had to face "Safinmania" in Moscow. There he gained a whole new legion of female fans (or: prostitutes), but their crusade to win his heart was met with failure. His Spanish girlfriend would not let any other girl (or: prostitute) within three metres of Safin, and when one girl (or: prostitute) got his hotel number at the 'Penta' hotel, and tried to go inside his room, Silvia, like the great-granddaughter of Carmen, lashed out at her rival. (literally: struck the evil in the rivals face) While all this female excitement whirled around him, Marat quietly endured it, mainly because he was with his Spanish girlfriend Silvia Torrens-Valero. All we know about the Spaniard is she lives near Marat. And, as those in the know have said, Marat met her sister first, who was training in the same group as him. But Silvia, like most of her hot-blooded compatriots, drew him away, and held him in her 'death-grip' [their words not mine!] On hearing this, his mother was very hurt, because her only son no longer traveled with her, but had been replaced with Silvia, who, to make matters worse, was also Marat's senior by some years. However, any mother in her place would react the same way! But Silvia should be on her guard. Lately, more and more famous women are paying the 'terminator' attention. Madonna noticed Safin two years ago at the French Open and he was added to her list of men she would like to father her next child. Fortunately for Marat, her hot Latin lover 'presented' the pop diva with a daughter, and relieved the tennis-player of any uncomfortable contact with the singer. But Madonna isn't the only one with an interest. Recently, Hollywood star Penelope Cruz admitted her desire for the handsome young man. The long-legged brunette from Spain, who wowed the public at the last Oscar ceremony, promised she would be Safin's lover by autumn! So who knows if Marat and Silvia will stay together?
Advertising borsch on Taiwan TV
In the sex-symbol rankings of world tennis, Marat has to take third place, conceding only to American Jan-Michael Gambill, with the nickname "Hollywood" and Kournikova's Australian friend Mark Phillipoussis, with the nickname " The Scud ". But if these two players have earned millions through clever managers, many public appearances and millions of fans, the same can't be said for Marat, who doesn't have either the millions of dollars, or the same huge fan base. The Russian also has a natural modesty which makes him shy away from media attention. All this time, Marat's career has been supervised by managers from the company " International Group Management " - people, who although they are authorities on management, use very old fashioned ideas: their main plan is to get their client high in the rankings, and everything else will flow from that. Therefore, the first two seasons of professional tennis, despite a lot of prize-winning, the 'sex-symbol' still drove only a second-hand "Golf" and couldn't afford to invite mum with dad to the US Open in New York. Eventually, having understood that with "International Group Management" you won't make much money, Marat began looking for new management. But instead of entrusting himself to the players 'favourite' and old 'tricksters' " Octagon ", Marat sought advice from Shamil Tarpishchev, who sent him to legendary tennis player and manager Ion Tisirac, who has managed Boris Becker and Goran Ivanisevic. However, the Romanian with the moustache had not done well in the past few years, and his company "Tivi International" had a pathetic existence. Then on the horizon came the most potentially profitable tennis player in the world. The unlucky manager seized the Russian, like a beggar with the winning lottery ticket. First of all, he was convinced Marat should leave Andrei Chesnokov, and be coached by his old friend John Pickard, who had recently parted company with well known British tennis player, Greg Rusedski.
"If Marat had contacted us today he would have receive millions of dollars for advertising new cars and he could appear everywhere in the company of people like Christina Aguilera. But he preferred to deal with a small-time company, and a Romanian bear, who is incapable of creating any worthwhile or lucrative projects for him, except for maybe advertising borsch on Taiwan TV!" This is what "Octagon" originally told me, regarding Safin's advertising prospects.
It is doubtful, that Tisriac can provide our tennis player with the same prosperous contracts that have filled up "Octagon's" clientele and have brought notoriety for Kournikova. And it also means, that in the near future, Safin will have to earn far more through tournament 'bonuses'. In the ATP, tournament organizers 'bribe' the big name players by offering them an end of year bonus for participating. For Safin, this means no more than $50,000 for a tournament, since he is still a rising star. (The same sources indicate Kafelnikov can earn around $100,000, with Sampras and Agassi already getting up to $300,000!)
Native blood
Unlike Alla and Sergei Kournikov, who, before the birth of Anna, had little understanding of professional tennis, Marat's mother and father were the real "tennis parents ". Mikhail Safin was pretty good in his youth on the all- Soviet Union athletic arena, but it was his wife Rauza Islanova who got the glory - by playing junior tennis for the USSR in the 60's & 70's.
When they entered the 80's with Marat and his younger sister Dinara, the couple were not rich people. And to make things worse, Marat's tennis required more money, so his sister had to train thanks to funds from the Kournikov's.
In having business contacts and the skill to find rich sponsors, Rauza Islanova was not as good as Alla Kournikova, however, Rausa was higher than Alla in tennis affairs. So when she and Marat were presented with the option of training in Spain, Rausa was still his first coach - mum literally spent day and night with him on court, having entrusted their small daughter to her husbands care. Rausa insisted that Marat went to Spain to train, because he couldn't progress any further in Russia.
It was very difficult for her each evening, when she called her son, who begged her to take him away from this awful Spain. Crying, she listened to him, but could do nothing- you see, the contract made by the sponsors stipulated, that parents have no right to interfere with the training and education of their child. To support their son, the parents would go to Spain twice a year, staying at hotels or self-catering/ bed & breakfast types. And instead of sunbathing on the beach or swimming in the sea, poor Rausa had to bake cabbage pies, prepare noodles and pelmenis all day long, because Marat missed Russian food so much.
And it's here that the Safin family differs from the Kournikov clan. Despite the fame of the son and the beginning of success for the daughter, they have remained simple, easygoing people, meeting each journalist at their house, like friends. And it's impossible to imagine Rausa Islanova, running around "Roland Garros ", to find the journalist who dared to write a critical article about her daughter, and scratch him a new face, as Alla Kournikova once threatened to do.
By Joseph Sasi
Translated by Ruth
Thanks To Tanja for her help.
Original source: www.sobesednik.ru/online/sensation/18.html
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