Post by Annie on Jun 28, 2005 15:41:11 GMT 3
French 'Tennis' Magazine 2005
Interview by Guy Barbier
Translated by Damita
He’s the only one this year being able to claim the Grand Slam! And all the players know it well: when it’s time for Roland Garros, Marat Safin, winner of the last Australian Open, will be ready to wear his full evening dress. But it’s in a very relaxed atmosphere that the Russian champion welcomed us for this exclusive interview, which revealed a very touchy character.
Whether he is in the top 5 or close to the #100 world ranking, Marat Safin remains in a class of his own. He’s able to make Pete Sampras look powerless in a US Open final – like he did when he was 20 – but he’s also able to “dispatch”, almost with a smile, a final at the Australian Open against Thomas Johansson. He’s able to become #1 (in November 2000) and to then fall in the rankings after a year spoiled by an injury, as it happened in 2003. He’s able to win a second Grand Slam title, defeating Roger Federer and then Lleyton Hewitt – at the last Australian Open – but he’s also able to win 2 consecutive matches in a tourney only once (in Monte Carlo) within the 3 months that followed the Australian Open. He’s able to be the most friendly and pleasant man ever and able to be, in one of his bad days, the grumpiest man ever.
To sum up, as you should have understood, it’s quite an adventure to track this big Russian wildcat, and as his coach, Peter Lundgren, says: “you’ll never get bored with Marat Safin”. It’s not the public who would tell the contrary; people are usually fascinated by Marat’s power and reactions on court. A few days before Roland Garros, where he became famous, in 1998, after he defeated Andre Agassi and Gustavo Kuerten consecutively, Marat Safin, 25, is the first person to hope he can – through the perpetual fluctuations of his course between the very bad, the ordinary and the sublime – show the very best of him. And that would probably be sufficient to win the title...
Tennis Magazine: How long did it take for you to realize you had won the Australian Open?
Marat Safin: The problem is that we never have enough time to celebrate a victory. Other events come fast. You have to get prepared immediately for anther tournament. You can’t celebrate like you should.
TM: At the very moment of your victory, you remained very “calm”. Almost strangely calm. What was your feeling?
MS: It’s fabulous when you win. I felt good. The reaction, it depends on the man and on the moment. Some guys bounce like they’re crazy, some cry. Others stay more neutral. For me on that day it was that.
TM: You once said that you learnt a lot from the defeat, 2 years ago in Australia, against Thomas Johansson. What have you learnt?
MS: I was coming back from very difficult times. Everything happened all a sudden. I was in the final, and for everyone I was the favourite just because it was a surprise to see Thomas in the final. But he had won some great matches to reach the final, he fully deserved it. As for me, being aware of those expectations people had on me, it put me under pressure. I didn’t handle this.
TM: During the ceremony, you looked almost happy on the court, despite the defeat...
MS: You know, for me, reaching the final at the moment was already a huge performance. When something happens to you, you should always remember where you’re coming from. It helps you enjoying the situations. 10 years ago I couldn’t imagine that I would play finals like those ones. I used to imagine myself at a very lower level. If some things hadn’t turn my way, I would be giving lessons in a club today. So I’m happy. Like everyone, I have good and bad moments. And I try to keep the same state of mind, whether I win or lose. It’s just sport, you have to keep this in mind.
TM: How can you explain that, with your talent, you had to wait so long before you won a second Grand Slam title?
MS: It’s a psychological problem. After I lost 2 finals at the Australian Open, I began to have doubts about myself. And also, whatever you do, it’s impossible not to hear what people say about you. And thus I began to question myself, I began to believe that, yes, I was a good player, I had talent, but maybe not enough of it to go where I wanted to. Actually I couldn’t believe it would happen again. In Roland Garros in 2002 for instance, I lost in the semis because I didn’t believe in myself enough. But now I feel highly relieved thanks to this victory. As I’ve said before, you can win a big title “by accident”, like I did at the US Open in 2000. But this one in Australia, I worked very hard to win it. And now I’d like to win more of them.
TM: Since that awesome victory, you didn’t have very good results. But there’s a moment of the year, in February-March, which is often difficult for you. Is it due to (a lack of) form at this moment of the season?
MS: It’s true that I’ve never been playing well in Indian Wells and Miami. I don’t know why. There’s nothing new really. I accept thing as they are. Again, I try to take event well, and I’m looking forward to better days.
TM: So you’re the living proof that a tennis champion can be happy without winning very often...
MS: But we shall be happy! We have a great life. For instance, to be able to attend a tournament like Monte Carlo is already a chance and a performance.
TM: Playing in Roland Garros is another performance. What do you think of your results there so far, since we discovered you in 1998 when you defeated Andre Agassi in the first round?
MS: It’s a huge tournament. And the difficulty relies mostly on the fact that you want to win it badly. It’s difficult to play well when you want to win so much. There are so many good players in the draw. Clay court specialists. The Argentines, the Spaniards, the French. There are a lot of guys who can claim the victory. Last year though, I was surprised to see Gaudio win but that’s the way it is. To win in Roland Garros you have to be in a great shape, to be mentally fresh, and not to let anything distract you. It is extremely hard to gather all those conditions during 2 weeks. And also, you have to be lucky!
TM: Can you compare the difficulty of reaching the final in Roland Garros and reaching finals of the other Grand Slam tournaments?
MS: Last year in Roland Garros I couldn’t give the best of me. In the second round against Mantilla, it started well but then I had to save 2 match points. In the next round against Starace, I saved 2 match points again. Against Nalbandian in the fourth round, I did not play that bad, but I had my hand injured with blisters and thus it couldn’t work.
Too bad. In 2002 I was close to the final, before I lost to Ferrero in the semi-final. I’ve said it before, and it’s even more true in Roland Garros: you need a part of luck to win.
TM: What would be the ideal draw for you?
MS: A draw in which there would be no clay-courters! (laugh) If you have to face 4 Argentines and 3 Spaniards in a row, you’re in trouble&ldots;...TM: Do you think you’re stronger than you were the other years at the moment of Roland Garros?
MS: Not stronger, but more intelligent. I have more experience. I’m in peace with myself as I think I have a nice career. I don’t say I’m not hungry anymore, but it’s already pretty good, no? I have a good support. My coach Peter (Lundgren) brings me a lot of serenity. Ha can bring me confidence to win. It took some time, but now we’re on the right way. We talk a lot, it’s perfect. This year I’ll have a good team around me, it’s important to go through those 2 weeks.
"My coach Peter (Lundgren) brings me a lot of serenity. Ha can bring me confidence to win."
TM: Can you compare, technically speaking, the conditions in Roland Garros and in the other clay-court tournaments. The surface, the balls, where do you feel at ease the most?
MS: Of course there are many good tournaments, like Rome and Hamburg... But in Roland Garros the conditions are incredibly good. Courts are perfect. There are not many bad bounces. The speed of the courts and the kind of balls used are also perfect for me. And I don’t even speak of the atmosphere. Roland Garros is excellence.
TM: From 13 to 18 years old you lived in Spain. What did you keep from the Spanish culture and way of life?
MS: Many things. A mentality. In tennis for instance, it’s the fighting spirit. Do you see the Spaniards, how they are? They fight, they fight&ldots; even by going through difficult situations. And there’s clay. For me it’s very positive that I grew up there. It’s been excellent for my knees, and for the solidity of my game.
TM: Paris is one of the places that bring you luck: 3 titles in Bercy and a Davis Cup final. Is it one of your favourite cities?
MS: Paris is a difficult place to play tennis. There are too many forms of entertainment, too many temptations. It’s hard to... concentrate. I shouldn’t say it, but...
TM: What do you think of Roger Federer? As a tennis player, as a man?
MS: He’s the most complete player I’ve ever seen. One of the best players of all time probably. He can do everything, but also he’s very tough mentally. He’s too good. He’s so good he forces us all to progress; he puts the general game level on a higher scale. He can play every shots, every possibilities. Even when he doesn’t play well ha has enough talent to hide it. Me, when I don’t play well, you see it immediately because my game consists in taking risks. So when I’m not in a good shape, I make many mistakes&ldots;
In reality he makes light of the difficulties. We can sometimes play at his level, but it is extremely difficult to stay at this level for long. To do that we have to work hard, very hard.
"Federer’s the most complete player I’ve ever seen. One of the best players of all time probably. He’s too good.
TM: You beat him in a very important moment though, in the Australian open semi-final. Is this match a model now? Have you find a way to bother Roger on a court...?
MS: It belongs to the past. It’s a great match, but now I must view the future. As for my tactics against him, I won’t explain them to you. I keep them for me. But I’m sure that the players who watched the match saw what it was about. Actually, every player knows how to plain against Roger. The problem is to do it.
TM: A new generation is joining the men’s circuit, especially players born in 1986: Nadal, Gasquet, Monfils... what do you think about them?
MS: Nadal I know him, the others too. There are very good players. I think gasquet has had too much pressure on him (1). Everyone was waiting for him and observing. All those players have very different styles. But that’s not what matters. It’s the number of titles. Gasquet for instance, he has the game, but now he needs the results (2). Monfils has a huge potential. He’s a big athlete and obviously he enjoys being on court. Nadal, I think he’s almost gone too far for his age. It’s true that he has won already a lot, but he has also been injured often.
TM: Your sister, Dinara, is now among the 40 best players in the world. At the beginning of the year you pushed her, through some public declarations, to “get a move on”. And she answered by winning the Open Gaz de France in Paris!
MS: I’ve never “pushed” anyone. The press exaggerated. I was kidding. It’s sad to see this happen by the way. I must have said 2 or 3 words on the topic, they became long articles, and we ended with a young girl – my sister – being unfairly criticized and attacked. Some people have tried to create issues between my sister and I. It’s really some abusive exploitation of a few innocuous words to the press. Yeah, it’s very sad...
TM: What has been less sad is her victory over Amelie Mauresmo in final in Paris...
MS: Yes. A victory that should be important for her. She needed to win matches like this one. She had lost confidence.
TM: Do you follow women’s tennis?
MS: No.
TM: Sometimes you come to pieces on court. You throw a tantrum or you break a racket. Does it help you for the rest of the match?
MS: Everyone has his problems on court. Everyone gets frustrated. Tennis is a game in which psychology takes a huge part. It’s like 2 brains fighting against each other. Sometimes a little thing, a tiny detail, can bother you or drive you mad. Everyone can explode. Later, you wonder how such things can happen. But at the moment, the emotive power is too strong. Actually the line that separates calm and anger during a match is very, very, very thin. Especially when the score is close...
"Sometimes a little thing, a tiny detail, can bother you or drive you mad. Everyone can explode. Later, you wonder how such things can happen. "
TM: That’s why there are rules...
MS: I’m sorry but sometimes no one care about the rules. Besides, rules are made to be broken, no? Anyway, sometimes there are situations in which you can’t apply the rule.
TM: Like when you dropped your shorts last year in Roland Garros against Mantilla?
MS: But this kind of incidents makes people talk about tennis, so it’s good! Besides, people don’t remember the score at this moment, or the court we were playing on, or even the name of my opponent! (3) It was the same with John McEnroe. People remember some of his scenes, but not necessarily the score of his matches. I’m not saying you should do this kind of things everytime. I’m not trying to defend myself or to defend an unsporting behaviour. But all I say is that this kind of events helps making people talk about tennis. Because at this moment my adversary can take advantage of it and win the match. This is why I first try to stay calm, to save my energy and thus to be more focussed on the match. And besides, I behave more than in the past.
TM: We can see all those Russian female champions joining the WTA tour. But it’s not the case on the men’s side. What’s the reason in your opinion?
MS: I don’t know why. To preserve their quiet, easy life I guess. But it’s true that the girls’ success could alert the junior boys, but that’s not the case. It’s true also that competition is more difficult among men than among women, without giving female players less credits of course.
TM: What’s the image of girl like Maria Sharapova in Russia?
MS: I don’t know exactly. But she hasn’t spent much time in Russia. She lives in the US. So I don’t know how people see her in Russia. Maybe not as they see Myskina, Dementieva, Kuznetsova, who have always been living in Russia.
TM: But you spent yourself a few years in Spain as a teenager...
MS: Yes but I’ve spent the bigger part of my youth and of my time in Russia. It’s not like I left and never came back. I’m Russian above all. And I’ve always been willing to come back to Russia as often as possible, because this is where I feel at home.
TM: But you also have a place in Monte Carlo, and one in Valencia. Where do you spend most of your time?
MS: I live a bit more in Moscow, really. I’m going there and back very often. Moscow is the city of my childhood. And you it’s funny, everyone always ask me what I do when I’m there. I have to say again and again that I go on walks, I go to the cinema, to the beach, I go to the cafés, the restaurants, the shops... exactly like all other big cities! Moscow is a very beautiful city, which evolved a lot during the past few years. That’s a good thing for the Russians. I go to Monte Carlo and Valencia mostly to train. It depends on where I can find players to train with.
TM: In Monte Carlo you sometimes take part in official events? Are you in touch with the royal family?
MS: You know, in general, they’re very busy (laugh). No, seriously, I respect the royal family. And I went and meditate at Prince Rainier’s mortal remains. He was a great person.
TM: Marat is a name of Tatar origins, right?
MS: Yes, I’m Tatar.
TM: Are you a Muslim?
MS: Tatars, in Russia, are Muslims. Yes I do observe some of the religious principles. Not the Ramadan of course. There are more important things than this. But I don’t want to get into details. It’s private.
TM: Do you admire some famous athletes, of other sports?
MS: I admire all those who achieved great things in their sport. Because I know that, whatever your discipline is, you need a lot of talent and you need to work hard to be successful. There are so many difficult obstacles. But I have no favourite athlete. No name comes in mind.
TM: And a personality you admire, apart from sports?
MS: I admire no one in particular. I need to know the person to admire him/her. You can admire for several reasons a person who has made stupid things you ignore. So I want to know the people. And if I admire someone it would be more because of his/her character, his/her state of mind, more than for any other reason.
TM: In July, Russia will welcome France for the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup. A rendez-vous that means a lot for you I guess...
MS: Yes, but it’s far from today. There are many tournaments left before, and many things can happen. We still have to work on a lot of things before...
TM: Is Davis Cup a priority for you every year?
MS: Playing Davis Cup every year it’s a bit too much. Sometimes you’re excited when you think about playing a tie, sometimes it’s just a job. 3 years ago it was an extraordinary moment of joy when we win the cup for the first time. We would have liked to keep that feeling alive longer. But since then, 2 other countries have won it. It goes too fast. Headmasters of the tour should think about that: playing Davis Cup every other year should be enough. Even once every 3 years!
TM: It’s not your sole criticism about the way the circuit works. Do you think some changes should be made in emergency?
MS: Lots of things should be changed. But I can think or say anything, that won’t help. Players have been asking for some changes for 15 years, nothing changed. It’s sad. Nothing evolves, nothing improves.
TM: But what would you like to change?
MS: Many, many things! But nobody wants to take his responsibilities. Even though decisions could be taken to make tennis more important. But the influential people stay in the warm, and that’s it.
TM: But Marat, what is it about: the schedule, the marketing...?
MS: Everything, I tell you, everything! The way they make the schedule, it’s a joke. The season is far too long. The longest of all sports. Our vacations? 2 weeks only, and that’s it. It’s not normal at all. When you know you’ll be running for 10 years at least, you must be able to stay in form. Instead of this, players get tired or injured and they withdraw from tournaments. Yes, I could tell many things, but I would have to tell them to people who would answered me blahblahblah, blahblahblah&ldots;And nothing would move. So I prefer to shut up, I play tennis, and they decide whatever they decide. It’s their business...
TM: Could you one day take part in that business?
MS: I don’t want to, no. Because no one cares, and that’s all.
TM: Tennis is also a wealthy sport that can afford to help people. As it did with victims of the Tsunami. Given its financial power, do you think tennis should play a model role in matters of solidarity?
MS: It’s the minimum we can do. But how can you give these poor people what they lost? Their houses, their families... So okay, we play for half an hour with kids to collect some money, but we won’t be decorated for having collected $15,000, like we did in Indian Wells, and which won’t change a lot. In my opinion, we could do more, to help people to re-build.
TM: Marat, has tennis made a happy man of you?
MS: Yes. The life of a tennis professional requires many sacrifices. But they worth it. Tennis is the ticket to an easy life.
TM: You have already a career of 9 years behind you. Do you feel tired or do you still have the same envy?
MS: The question isn’t really whether you feel new or used. The question is to take or not intelligent decisions at the good moment. And to know what you want to achieve. And to take the good ways to achieve it. It’s the experience on the tour that shall help you to make the good choices. Because indeed you can feel “new”, “fresh” and you won’t act wisely, and you’ll take wrong decisions.
TM: What memories would you like to leave when you stop your career?
MS: I don’t care. I don’t even think some kids would start playing tennis “thanks to Marat Safin”. Other Safins will come, with other names. We’re not here to last. People forget, it’s normal. I simply hope I’ll still be able to get a table in a restaurant without a booking...
1- Safin met – and beat – Gasquet twice: in Monte carlo and Lyon, in 2002
2- It was just before Gasquet’s performance in Monte Carlo
3- An epic second round match, played on 2 days, on court “1, and won by Safin 11-9 in the fifth set after he saved 2 match points
Interview by Guy Barbier
Translated by Damita
He’s the only one this year being able to claim the Grand Slam! And all the players know it well: when it’s time for Roland Garros, Marat Safin, winner of the last Australian Open, will be ready to wear his full evening dress. But it’s in a very relaxed atmosphere that the Russian champion welcomed us for this exclusive interview, which revealed a very touchy character.
Whether he is in the top 5 or close to the #100 world ranking, Marat Safin remains in a class of his own. He’s able to make Pete Sampras look powerless in a US Open final – like he did when he was 20 – but he’s also able to “dispatch”, almost with a smile, a final at the Australian Open against Thomas Johansson. He’s able to become #1 (in November 2000) and to then fall in the rankings after a year spoiled by an injury, as it happened in 2003. He’s able to win a second Grand Slam title, defeating Roger Federer and then Lleyton Hewitt – at the last Australian Open – but he’s also able to win 2 consecutive matches in a tourney only once (in Monte Carlo) within the 3 months that followed the Australian Open. He’s able to be the most friendly and pleasant man ever and able to be, in one of his bad days, the grumpiest man ever.
To sum up, as you should have understood, it’s quite an adventure to track this big Russian wildcat, and as his coach, Peter Lundgren, says: “you’ll never get bored with Marat Safin”. It’s not the public who would tell the contrary; people are usually fascinated by Marat’s power and reactions on court. A few days before Roland Garros, where he became famous, in 1998, after he defeated Andre Agassi and Gustavo Kuerten consecutively, Marat Safin, 25, is the first person to hope he can – through the perpetual fluctuations of his course between the very bad, the ordinary and the sublime – show the very best of him. And that would probably be sufficient to win the title...
Tennis Magazine: How long did it take for you to realize you had won the Australian Open?
Marat Safin: The problem is that we never have enough time to celebrate a victory. Other events come fast. You have to get prepared immediately for anther tournament. You can’t celebrate like you should.
TM: At the very moment of your victory, you remained very “calm”. Almost strangely calm. What was your feeling?
MS: It’s fabulous when you win. I felt good. The reaction, it depends on the man and on the moment. Some guys bounce like they’re crazy, some cry. Others stay more neutral. For me on that day it was that.
TM: You once said that you learnt a lot from the defeat, 2 years ago in Australia, against Thomas Johansson. What have you learnt?
MS: I was coming back from very difficult times. Everything happened all a sudden. I was in the final, and for everyone I was the favourite just because it was a surprise to see Thomas in the final. But he had won some great matches to reach the final, he fully deserved it. As for me, being aware of those expectations people had on me, it put me under pressure. I didn’t handle this.
TM: During the ceremony, you looked almost happy on the court, despite the defeat...
MS: You know, for me, reaching the final at the moment was already a huge performance. When something happens to you, you should always remember where you’re coming from. It helps you enjoying the situations. 10 years ago I couldn’t imagine that I would play finals like those ones. I used to imagine myself at a very lower level. If some things hadn’t turn my way, I would be giving lessons in a club today. So I’m happy. Like everyone, I have good and bad moments. And I try to keep the same state of mind, whether I win or lose. It’s just sport, you have to keep this in mind.
TM: How can you explain that, with your talent, you had to wait so long before you won a second Grand Slam title?
MS: It’s a psychological problem. After I lost 2 finals at the Australian Open, I began to have doubts about myself. And also, whatever you do, it’s impossible not to hear what people say about you. And thus I began to question myself, I began to believe that, yes, I was a good player, I had talent, but maybe not enough of it to go where I wanted to. Actually I couldn’t believe it would happen again. In Roland Garros in 2002 for instance, I lost in the semis because I didn’t believe in myself enough. But now I feel highly relieved thanks to this victory. As I’ve said before, you can win a big title “by accident”, like I did at the US Open in 2000. But this one in Australia, I worked very hard to win it. And now I’d like to win more of them.
TM: Since that awesome victory, you didn’t have very good results. But there’s a moment of the year, in February-March, which is often difficult for you. Is it due to (a lack of) form at this moment of the season?
MS: It’s true that I’ve never been playing well in Indian Wells and Miami. I don’t know why. There’s nothing new really. I accept thing as they are. Again, I try to take event well, and I’m looking forward to better days.
TM: So you’re the living proof that a tennis champion can be happy without winning very often...
MS: But we shall be happy! We have a great life. For instance, to be able to attend a tournament like Monte Carlo is already a chance and a performance.
TM: Playing in Roland Garros is another performance. What do you think of your results there so far, since we discovered you in 1998 when you defeated Andre Agassi in the first round?
MS: It’s a huge tournament. And the difficulty relies mostly on the fact that you want to win it badly. It’s difficult to play well when you want to win so much. There are so many good players in the draw. Clay court specialists. The Argentines, the Spaniards, the French. There are a lot of guys who can claim the victory. Last year though, I was surprised to see Gaudio win but that’s the way it is. To win in Roland Garros you have to be in a great shape, to be mentally fresh, and not to let anything distract you. It is extremely hard to gather all those conditions during 2 weeks. And also, you have to be lucky!
TM: Can you compare the difficulty of reaching the final in Roland Garros and reaching finals of the other Grand Slam tournaments?
MS: Last year in Roland Garros I couldn’t give the best of me. In the second round against Mantilla, it started well but then I had to save 2 match points. In the next round against Starace, I saved 2 match points again. Against Nalbandian in the fourth round, I did not play that bad, but I had my hand injured with blisters and thus it couldn’t work.
Too bad. In 2002 I was close to the final, before I lost to Ferrero in the semi-final. I’ve said it before, and it’s even more true in Roland Garros: you need a part of luck to win.
TM: What would be the ideal draw for you?
MS: A draw in which there would be no clay-courters! (laugh) If you have to face 4 Argentines and 3 Spaniards in a row, you’re in trouble&ldots;...TM: Do you think you’re stronger than you were the other years at the moment of Roland Garros?
MS: Not stronger, but more intelligent. I have more experience. I’m in peace with myself as I think I have a nice career. I don’t say I’m not hungry anymore, but it’s already pretty good, no? I have a good support. My coach Peter (Lundgren) brings me a lot of serenity. Ha can bring me confidence to win. It took some time, but now we’re on the right way. We talk a lot, it’s perfect. This year I’ll have a good team around me, it’s important to go through those 2 weeks.
"My coach Peter (Lundgren) brings me a lot of serenity. Ha can bring me confidence to win."
TM: Can you compare, technically speaking, the conditions in Roland Garros and in the other clay-court tournaments. The surface, the balls, where do you feel at ease the most?
MS: Of course there are many good tournaments, like Rome and Hamburg... But in Roland Garros the conditions are incredibly good. Courts are perfect. There are not many bad bounces. The speed of the courts and the kind of balls used are also perfect for me. And I don’t even speak of the atmosphere. Roland Garros is excellence.
TM: From 13 to 18 years old you lived in Spain. What did you keep from the Spanish culture and way of life?
MS: Many things. A mentality. In tennis for instance, it’s the fighting spirit. Do you see the Spaniards, how they are? They fight, they fight&ldots; even by going through difficult situations. And there’s clay. For me it’s very positive that I grew up there. It’s been excellent for my knees, and for the solidity of my game.
TM: Paris is one of the places that bring you luck: 3 titles in Bercy and a Davis Cup final. Is it one of your favourite cities?
MS: Paris is a difficult place to play tennis. There are too many forms of entertainment, too many temptations. It’s hard to... concentrate. I shouldn’t say it, but...
TM: What do you think of Roger Federer? As a tennis player, as a man?
MS: He’s the most complete player I’ve ever seen. One of the best players of all time probably. He can do everything, but also he’s very tough mentally. He’s too good. He’s so good he forces us all to progress; he puts the general game level on a higher scale. He can play every shots, every possibilities. Even when he doesn’t play well ha has enough talent to hide it. Me, when I don’t play well, you see it immediately because my game consists in taking risks. So when I’m not in a good shape, I make many mistakes&ldots;
In reality he makes light of the difficulties. We can sometimes play at his level, but it is extremely difficult to stay at this level for long. To do that we have to work hard, very hard.
"Federer’s the most complete player I’ve ever seen. One of the best players of all time probably. He’s too good.
TM: You beat him in a very important moment though, in the Australian open semi-final. Is this match a model now? Have you find a way to bother Roger on a court...?
MS: It belongs to the past. It’s a great match, but now I must view the future. As for my tactics against him, I won’t explain them to you. I keep them for me. But I’m sure that the players who watched the match saw what it was about. Actually, every player knows how to plain against Roger. The problem is to do it.
TM: A new generation is joining the men’s circuit, especially players born in 1986: Nadal, Gasquet, Monfils... what do you think about them?
MS: Nadal I know him, the others too. There are very good players. I think gasquet has had too much pressure on him (1). Everyone was waiting for him and observing. All those players have very different styles. But that’s not what matters. It’s the number of titles. Gasquet for instance, he has the game, but now he needs the results (2). Monfils has a huge potential. He’s a big athlete and obviously he enjoys being on court. Nadal, I think he’s almost gone too far for his age. It’s true that he has won already a lot, but he has also been injured often.
TM: Your sister, Dinara, is now among the 40 best players in the world. At the beginning of the year you pushed her, through some public declarations, to “get a move on”. And she answered by winning the Open Gaz de France in Paris!
MS: I’ve never “pushed” anyone. The press exaggerated. I was kidding. It’s sad to see this happen by the way. I must have said 2 or 3 words on the topic, they became long articles, and we ended with a young girl – my sister – being unfairly criticized and attacked. Some people have tried to create issues between my sister and I. It’s really some abusive exploitation of a few innocuous words to the press. Yeah, it’s very sad...
TM: What has been less sad is her victory over Amelie Mauresmo in final in Paris...
MS: Yes. A victory that should be important for her. She needed to win matches like this one. She had lost confidence.
TM: Do you follow women’s tennis?
MS: No.
TM: Sometimes you come to pieces on court. You throw a tantrum or you break a racket. Does it help you for the rest of the match?
MS: Everyone has his problems on court. Everyone gets frustrated. Tennis is a game in which psychology takes a huge part. It’s like 2 brains fighting against each other. Sometimes a little thing, a tiny detail, can bother you or drive you mad. Everyone can explode. Later, you wonder how such things can happen. But at the moment, the emotive power is too strong. Actually the line that separates calm and anger during a match is very, very, very thin. Especially when the score is close...
"Sometimes a little thing, a tiny detail, can bother you or drive you mad. Everyone can explode. Later, you wonder how such things can happen. "
TM: That’s why there are rules...
MS: I’m sorry but sometimes no one care about the rules. Besides, rules are made to be broken, no? Anyway, sometimes there are situations in which you can’t apply the rule.
TM: Like when you dropped your shorts last year in Roland Garros against Mantilla?
MS: But this kind of incidents makes people talk about tennis, so it’s good! Besides, people don’t remember the score at this moment, or the court we were playing on, or even the name of my opponent! (3) It was the same with John McEnroe. People remember some of his scenes, but not necessarily the score of his matches. I’m not saying you should do this kind of things everytime. I’m not trying to defend myself or to defend an unsporting behaviour. But all I say is that this kind of events helps making people talk about tennis. Because at this moment my adversary can take advantage of it and win the match. This is why I first try to stay calm, to save my energy and thus to be more focussed on the match. And besides, I behave more than in the past.
TM: We can see all those Russian female champions joining the WTA tour. But it’s not the case on the men’s side. What’s the reason in your opinion?
MS: I don’t know why. To preserve their quiet, easy life I guess. But it’s true that the girls’ success could alert the junior boys, but that’s not the case. It’s true also that competition is more difficult among men than among women, without giving female players less credits of course.
TM: What’s the image of girl like Maria Sharapova in Russia?
MS: I don’t know exactly. But she hasn’t spent much time in Russia. She lives in the US. So I don’t know how people see her in Russia. Maybe not as they see Myskina, Dementieva, Kuznetsova, who have always been living in Russia.
TM: But you spent yourself a few years in Spain as a teenager...
MS: Yes but I’ve spent the bigger part of my youth and of my time in Russia. It’s not like I left and never came back. I’m Russian above all. And I’ve always been willing to come back to Russia as often as possible, because this is where I feel at home.
TM: But you also have a place in Monte Carlo, and one in Valencia. Where do you spend most of your time?
MS: I live a bit more in Moscow, really. I’m going there and back very often. Moscow is the city of my childhood. And you it’s funny, everyone always ask me what I do when I’m there. I have to say again and again that I go on walks, I go to the cinema, to the beach, I go to the cafés, the restaurants, the shops... exactly like all other big cities! Moscow is a very beautiful city, which evolved a lot during the past few years. That’s a good thing for the Russians. I go to Monte Carlo and Valencia mostly to train. It depends on where I can find players to train with.
TM: In Monte Carlo you sometimes take part in official events? Are you in touch with the royal family?
MS: You know, in general, they’re very busy (laugh). No, seriously, I respect the royal family. And I went and meditate at Prince Rainier’s mortal remains. He was a great person.
TM: Marat is a name of Tatar origins, right?
MS: Yes, I’m Tatar.
TM: Are you a Muslim?
MS: Tatars, in Russia, are Muslims. Yes I do observe some of the religious principles. Not the Ramadan of course. There are more important things than this. But I don’t want to get into details. It’s private.
TM: Do you admire some famous athletes, of other sports?
MS: I admire all those who achieved great things in their sport. Because I know that, whatever your discipline is, you need a lot of talent and you need to work hard to be successful. There are so many difficult obstacles. But I have no favourite athlete. No name comes in mind.
TM: And a personality you admire, apart from sports?
MS: I admire no one in particular. I need to know the person to admire him/her. You can admire for several reasons a person who has made stupid things you ignore. So I want to know the people. And if I admire someone it would be more because of his/her character, his/her state of mind, more than for any other reason.
TM: In July, Russia will welcome France for the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup. A rendez-vous that means a lot for you I guess...
MS: Yes, but it’s far from today. There are many tournaments left before, and many things can happen. We still have to work on a lot of things before...
TM: Is Davis Cup a priority for you every year?
MS: Playing Davis Cup every year it’s a bit too much. Sometimes you’re excited when you think about playing a tie, sometimes it’s just a job. 3 years ago it was an extraordinary moment of joy when we win the cup for the first time. We would have liked to keep that feeling alive longer. But since then, 2 other countries have won it. It goes too fast. Headmasters of the tour should think about that: playing Davis Cup every other year should be enough. Even once every 3 years!
TM: It’s not your sole criticism about the way the circuit works. Do you think some changes should be made in emergency?
MS: Lots of things should be changed. But I can think or say anything, that won’t help. Players have been asking for some changes for 15 years, nothing changed. It’s sad. Nothing evolves, nothing improves.
TM: But what would you like to change?
MS: Many, many things! But nobody wants to take his responsibilities. Even though decisions could be taken to make tennis more important. But the influential people stay in the warm, and that’s it.
TM: But Marat, what is it about: the schedule, the marketing...?
MS: Everything, I tell you, everything! The way they make the schedule, it’s a joke. The season is far too long. The longest of all sports. Our vacations? 2 weeks only, and that’s it. It’s not normal at all. When you know you’ll be running for 10 years at least, you must be able to stay in form. Instead of this, players get tired or injured and they withdraw from tournaments. Yes, I could tell many things, but I would have to tell them to people who would answered me blahblahblah, blahblahblah&ldots;And nothing would move. So I prefer to shut up, I play tennis, and they decide whatever they decide. It’s their business...
TM: Could you one day take part in that business?
MS: I don’t want to, no. Because no one cares, and that’s all.
TM: Tennis is also a wealthy sport that can afford to help people. As it did with victims of the Tsunami. Given its financial power, do you think tennis should play a model role in matters of solidarity?
MS: It’s the minimum we can do. But how can you give these poor people what they lost? Their houses, their families... So okay, we play for half an hour with kids to collect some money, but we won’t be decorated for having collected $15,000, like we did in Indian Wells, and which won’t change a lot. In my opinion, we could do more, to help people to re-build.
TM: Marat, has tennis made a happy man of you?
MS: Yes. The life of a tennis professional requires many sacrifices. But they worth it. Tennis is the ticket to an easy life.
TM: You have already a career of 9 years behind you. Do you feel tired or do you still have the same envy?
MS: The question isn’t really whether you feel new or used. The question is to take or not intelligent decisions at the good moment. And to know what you want to achieve. And to take the good ways to achieve it. It’s the experience on the tour that shall help you to make the good choices. Because indeed you can feel “new”, “fresh” and you won’t act wisely, and you’ll take wrong decisions.
TM: What memories would you like to leave when you stop your career?
MS: I don’t care. I don’t even think some kids would start playing tennis “thanks to Marat Safin”. Other Safins will come, with other names. We’re not here to last. People forget, it’s normal. I simply hope I’ll still be able to get a table in a restaurant without a booking...
1- Safin met – and beat – Gasquet twice: in Monte carlo and Lyon, in 2002
2- It was just before Gasquet’s performance in Monte Carlo
3- An epic second round match, played on 2 days, on court “1, and won by Safin 11-9 in the fifth set after he saved 2 match points
