Post by Annie on Nov 3, 2006 13:34:31 GMT 3
Marat Safin: Forget All and Start Over
Ex world's number one considers this season to be dreadful and is already dreaming about a new one.
At Paris Masters Tournament taking place in Bercy Sports Complex our tennis players have been successful so far. Dmitry Tursunov, Nikolay Davydenko and Marat Safin who had a hell of a time to beat Robin Soderling of Sweden - all reached the Last 16. The crowd treats Marat who won the tournament in 2000, 2002, and 2004 with admiration. After the match our correspondent managed to ask Marat some questions.
- It was a tough job to beat Soderling, how would you value this victory?
- On a highest scale possible because this guy has been showing some unbelievable quality tennis this season. Not long ago he almost beat Roger Federer and that's saying something. The fact that I managed to beat one of the strongest players out there, and I consider him to be that, gives me a lot of confidence in my abilities. However I would also like to point out that I know Bercy very well, I have very fond memories related to this place, the walls are almost my relatives. And surely I am very grateful to Parisians who always support me. So I had an advantage on court.
After last year's knee injury the way back to the tennis court wasn't all roses, was it?
You have no idea. I was out for several months and then I was subconsciously playing safe, not putting too much pressure on it in order not to injure again. That explains lack of confidence and some very hurtful losses. I will be honest: this year was terrible for me. One disappointment after another. I just have one wish: finish it off with least losses possible, forget about it, put it all behind and start the new one from afresh.
Self-criticism is a useful thing but things weren't as terrible. You reached the final in Moscow, semifinals in Valencia, Bangkok, Washington...
It took a lot of strength to do that. Thank God physically I am totally fit right now but there is still a lot of work being done: you are always either playing a tournament or training, day after day after day. Exhaustion piles up. Mental more than physical though. My aim for the beginning of next year is to be in the top 30.
What do you think about the new Hawk Eye system?
It's a rather useful and wise idea. It would be better if it worked more accurate though, but I suppose just like in any other case - some time is needed for adjustment.
Many top players decided to skip Paris Masters this year: Federer, Nadal, Nalbandian, Roddick their arguements being great tiredness at the end of the season. Maybe it's time to cut down on a number of tournaments?
Many people have been talking about it, including me. I have decided for myself that I will play as many tournament as I think I am capable of.
In the last few months you have been pairing up with Alexander Volkov...
I know Sasha very well and he helps me a great deal. We'll stick together until the end of the season and then we shall see.
Where do you return more often after tournaments now? Moscow? Valencia? Or Monaco?
I live in Monaco but Moscow has been and still is my native city where I spend a great amount of time. I never forget Valencia either where I went through my "tennis universities" and I have a lot of friends there.
Federer or Nadal? Whom would you pick tennis style wise?
Federer. The impression is that he was born especially for tennis. There was noone in history like him. The best of the best. He's got such an elegant style of game that if you're a tennis appreciater, there is no way it will leave you indifferent.
It's natural that your life is not limited by a tennis court. For example, what are you reading now?
A German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer "The world as will and imagination" A very useful book. Helps you understand yourself, human relationships and the world around you.
Ex world's number one considers this season to be dreadful and is already dreaming about a new one.
At Paris Masters Tournament taking place in Bercy Sports Complex our tennis players have been successful so far. Dmitry Tursunov, Nikolay Davydenko and Marat Safin who had a hell of a time to beat Robin Soderling of Sweden - all reached the Last 16. The crowd treats Marat who won the tournament in 2000, 2002, and 2004 with admiration. After the match our correspondent managed to ask Marat some questions.
- It was a tough job to beat Soderling, how would you value this victory?
- On a highest scale possible because this guy has been showing some unbelievable quality tennis this season. Not long ago he almost beat Roger Federer and that's saying something. The fact that I managed to beat one of the strongest players out there, and I consider him to be that, gives me a lot of confidence in my abilities. However I would also like to point out that I know Bercy very well, I have very fond memories related to this place, the walls are almost my relatives. And surely I am very grateful to Parisians who always support me. So I had an advantage on court.
After last year's knee injury the way back to the tennis court wasn't all roses, was it?
You have no idea. I was out for several months and then I was subconsciously playing safe, not putting too much pressure on it in order not to injure again. That explains lack of confidence and some very hurtful losses. I will be honest: this year was terrible for me. One disappointment after another. I just have one wish: finish it off with least losses possible, forget about it, put it all behind and start the new one from afresh.
Self-criticism is a useful thing but things weren't as terrible. You reached the final in Moscow, semifinals in Valencia, Bangkok, Washington...
It took a lot of strength to do that. Thank God physically I am totally fit right now but there is still a lot of work being done: you are always either playing a tournament or training, day after day after day. Exhaustion piles up. Mental more than physical though. My aim for the beginning of next year is to be in the top 30.
What do you think about the new Hawk Eye system?
It's a rather useful and wise idea. It would be better if it worked more accurate though, but I suppose just like in any other case - some time is needed for adjustment.
Many top players decided to skip Paris Masters this year: Federer, Nadal, Nalbandian, Roddick their arguements being great tiredness at the end of the season. Maybe it's time to cut down on a number of tournaments?
Many people have been talking about it, including me. I have decided for myself that I will play as many tournament as I think I am capable of.
In the last few months you have been pairing up with Alexander Volkov...
I know Sasha very well and he helps me a great deal. We'll stick together until the end of the season and then we shall see.
Where do you return more often after tournaments now? Moscow? Valencia? Or Monaco?
I live in Monaco but Moscow has been and still is my native city where I spend a great amount of time. I never forget Valencia either where I went through my "tennis universities" and I have a lot of friends there.
Federer or Nadal? Whom would you pick tennis style wise?
Federer. The impression is that he was born especially for tennis. There was noone in history like him. The best of the best. He's got such an elegant style of game that if you're a tennis appreciater, there is no way it will leave you indifferent.
It's natural that your life is not limited by a tennis court. For example, what are you reading now?
A German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer "The world as will and imagination" A very useful book. Helps you understand yourself, human relationships and the world around you.
