Kiara
Re: Re: Marat Interviews
2000 FORO ITALICO
ROME, ITALY
May 9, 2000
An interview with:
ANDREI CHESNOKOV and MARAT SAFIN
Q. Why are you such a good coach?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I am a good tennis player.
Q. Could you perhaps tell us roughly how the new relationship with Marat came about, you know, when did it happen and why did it happen and then perhaps Marat could tell us a little bit of the impact it clearly had on him.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: His agent found me in Paris and asked if I can help with Marat. I got a phone call from his agent, an agent. He asked me if I can help him as a coach, and that's the way we begin together in Barcelona. I want to tell, I never did special like -- special things. Like I will never practice together for five hours, we never worked for five hours, but, you know, I think I took the great player. And the only things I can tell you, like something for his head during the tournament in Barcelona. And I think this guy, he can listen well. I think if he can listen well, it's more important things.
Q. Have you ever thought that you wanted to get in to coaching, or is it just a complete surprise to you as well?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: It's little bit surprised me, and before I was -- I was -- I still playing like a tournament last week. And I don't play any more, let's say ATP tournaments, but I can -- I always play -- I was always continue to play the other tournaments, and I think this offer little bit surprised me. And I said to myself, "Okay, but Marat, I know he's a nice guy and why I don't -- why I'm not going to try a little bit to help him." And I think he did a very, very good job in Barcelona, and then last weekend in Mallorca. And I said to him, you know, now you can play tennis, you don't need a coach anymore. (Laughter.)
Q. Can you tell us something, can you say if it's true about your new technique of hitting your pupil if he doesn't want you to order it?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: The new technique, it's very simple today. I said to Marat, you know, it's very simple today. We don't have too much time before the Barcelona tournament because I am arrive to Barcelona Sunday, and one of the things -- I don't want to see any results, but I want to see the man on the court, and I would like you to fight for every single point. That's the first things I said to him. But I think he listen well, and he know the tennis and I think he was working a lot with his old coach and he has a very good potential today, and he's very talented and he can play tennis.
Q. Which do you think was his biggest problem? At which level do you think he could arrive?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Which level?
Q. Yes. I mean ranking or...
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: But, you know, the way he played until the Barcelona tournament, the way he played until Barcelona tournament he should be like maybe 500. (Laughter.) Don't be nervous, don't be nervous. But the way he played like the last two tournaments, it's No. 1 player.
Q. Is he allowed to say some words, too?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Can you tell how far you can go?
Q. Does this new technique work out of Spain or just in Spain?
MARAT SAFIN: What do you mean?
Q. You won two small tournaments in Spain.
MARAT SAFIN: Excuse me, but maybe it was small tournaments for you, but to me, I won one tournament that was $325,000. So for me to win a tournament in Mallorca is 500,000. There are a lot of players, Kafelnikov, not a good player... Norman is -- I don't know. Maybe for you is -- sorry, I'm not on your level now.
Q. Marat, when did you start thinking that you might need to change your coach, and was it your idea that they spoke to Andrei?
MARAT SAFIN: Yes, because I think we have been together a long time with Rafael. He had become not a coach, he become like a father. And it's little bit difficult to get something really high, for example, I don't know, to be in the top in rankings. It's a little bit difficult because you can't -- when he's talking, sometimes you don't understand him because he's talking like a father, and he cannot understand me on the court. But out of the court, we was -- we was so close, so something -- we miss something on the court. So I said to him, "Let's try something new." I would like to know what is happening. I told him that I am going to try to work with Andrei. He said yes, it's -- he told me it is a good idea. I was sad, he was sad, but that's life because it just was business. But our relationship is still the same, and I think it's bit more important than the business. Because otherwise, if was -- if I will be with him right now, it will be first round, first round, first round, and then in two months, say ahhh, fuck you and fuck you. That's it. (Laughter.) We like this. I don't want to lose him -- I didn't want to lose him like a friend, so that was right idea I think.
Q. Some days you play like a champion, some times like a 500 player. Is it some Russian attitude? Like Kafelnikov, sometimes he plays like a champion, wins a Grand Slam tournament then after for three, four weeks in a row he gets out in the first round with all the talent he has. Is it a Russian problem or just the athlete?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't know. Ask him.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I would like to give the answer. I would like to give the answer. First of all, about the -- you said two "small" tournaments, Barcelona and -- no, no, no. Listen. Okay. For Sampras and Agassi, it's maybe like some kind of Challenger. Maybe. It could be. For him, you know, for him it's a big tournament and it was a big week in Barcelona, even in Mallorca. Because it doesn't matter who he played, maybe the player ranking all the way up to the final, you know, against the players like ranking 100 or 200. The way he played, he played great, and I think it's more important that he won these two tournaments. He got the confidence. His head is clean now and he can play tennis like a champion. And of course we don't want to stop, you know, let's say last week, you know. He won the tournament. He won two tournaments. It's not our goal. I'd prefer we go forward. And the question with Kafelnikov, I don't want to see Marat on the Tour if he's going to play the way like Kafelnikov. You know, I said, okay, if you're going to win a tournament, you know, you have to be like a champion. You cannot, let's say, play the next tournament, let's say you won the tournament in Barcelona. There's the next tournament in Mallorca. You cannot, like, giving up the first round. No, you have to fight. You have to fight for every single point, and that makes the difference you to the other players. I don't want talking about let's say especially to Kafelnikov, who will let's say -- who played the tournament in -- Grand Slam tournament, first tournament Grand Slam this year, Australian Open. And then next, let's say now he's losing everywhere first and second round. No. It's not -- it's not -- today it's not like his style and, you know, we're working to get him better.
Q. What would happen if Marat acted on court the way he did at the Australian Open this year with you coaching him? At the Australian, when they fined you for --
MARAT SAFIN: Who fined me?
Q. The ITF fined you.
MARAT SAFIN: Ah, fined me.
Q. What would happen?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: What, in Australia? I don't understand the question. Go ahead.
MARAT SAFIN: One more time?
Q. You were fined.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah.
Q. For allegedly not trying in the Australian Open this year.
MARAT SAFIN: First of all, I would like to say that how they put in the press and everything, it was completely different. Because nobody -- everybody knows more than me. It's unbelievable how the people from the press, they know what I did.
Q. What did you do?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, because it was -- sorry, but it was in the court almost higher, so we played almost there. Nobody was in the stand, no in the seats. Was completely empty. I don't know how the people from the press, they knew it.
Q. We were just told that --
MARAT SAFIN: Who told you? How you can write this thing --
Q. We only wrote what we were told - that you were fined because of --
MARAT SAFIN: Because of what?
Q. -- for not trying.
MARAT SAFIN: Okay, for not trying. How I not try?
Q. The ITF officials told us.
MARAT SAFIN: The ITF don't have any idea.
Q. What was your view of what happened?
MARAT SAFIN: First of all, in the press they put that I took the ball with the hand. How can you write it if you didn't see it with your eyes? How you can do it? Sorry, guys, but is not serious. How --
Q. All we could write was what they produced as an official statement. We couldn't make any comment. We have no idea whether you were at --
MARAT SAFIN: Okay, so ITF, how they can do this?
Q. They apparently did it on the report of a supervisor, Bill Gillmore.
MARAT SAFIN: Okay, he's a genius. I mean why? He was on the court?
Q. I have no idea. He said he was.
MARAT SAFIN: He was on the court?
Q. He said he was.
MARAT SAFIN: There was only umpire, my coach and a few person more.
Q. I can witness that I was passing by this court and I had just a glimpse, I saw you desperately trying. I am the witness against all of those reporters, all of them. (Laughter.)
MARAT SAFIN: Okay. So you can write whatever you want, okay. I'm a bad player, they put me fine $2,000, okay. I think it was good -- yes, I took with the hand the ball. Yes, I hit the ball boy also. You can put it. Is okay. Is no problem. But, no, ITF, okay, is no your problem, is ITF problem. But I don't understand how the people, they can write it. Sorry, but it wasn't like this. I'm telling to you now, it wasn't like this. You have to write this, what they put on the press.
Q. Did I ask you for a press conference there, I don't remember?
MARAT SAFIN: No.
Q. You weren't asked for a press conference there in Australia? But were you asked for a press conference there?
MARAT SAFIN: No, because I was -- sorry, but I was sad. When I read this -- I had it to --
Q. But immediately after the match.
MARAT SAFIN: No, nobody asked me what happened. Sorry.
Q. Andrei, how much are you likely to travel this year?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Today, I don't like to travel. I don't like to travel.
Q. So are you not going to travel to a lot of tournaments or what?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I will, I will. If we're going to continue to working, I think I have to travel.
Q. We'll see you everywhere.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I cannot promise you.
Q. Can he win the French Open?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Can he win the French Open?
MARAT SAFIN: No.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Okay, you can go out and I give answer. I don't want you to hear this. (Laughter.) But also, I would like to say, you know, I will give you answer on this question but, you know, today -- but not today. I said already to Marat, the way you played the tournament in let's say Indian Wells, Copenhagen, Monte Carlo, let's say you play the first set then if something happens, like something bad, then you give the match away. And I said it, you know, the way you played until Barcelona, you was not a man. And if we -- if you want to work together with me, you have to be on a court like a man, like a Muster. Muster, he was a big fighter, even he was in a bad mood, didn't sleep, something happening during the match, he never give up. He play until the end. And I said to Marat, that's the way you have to play every match. Even today, it could be he's going a bit tired after the Barcelona and Mallorca. It's not so easy to play two weeks in a row like this. I said even if he's going up 6-2, 5-Love, I would like you to play until the end. Every point, every point you will win, you will get the experience for the French Open. For the French Open, I would like him to win, you know, the big tournament like the French Open, Wimbledon, whatever. But the point is I don't know him very well. I don't know where we have to work to get -- when, where, on what case we have to work. I know what is his bad things on the court, I know he has good things on the court. But of course I would like him to win French Open. You know, every thing is possible during the two weeks in the French Open. The point is you -- it's not only you have to play well sometimes. Also, you have to be lucky sometimes during the tournament, because, you know, the level is so high today and not everybody can play well. Like Ruud last week, he played the biggest match. I never seen Ruud the way he played against Safin. And Safin, he won 7-5 in the third.
Q. But in your opinion, clay is his best surface?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I think he can play everywhere. I think he can play well everywhere because he got a good serve and also his hand is quick.
Q. Even grass?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Even on grass.
Q. On ice?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: On ice, he can play Moscow during the winter. And I played on ice, yeah. It's not so easy. You have to -- you have to skate well. (Laughter.)
Q. I always do that in St. Moritz for Christmas. I have experience on ice, as you are experienced on ice.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Did you won the tournament in St. Moritz?
Q. I was beaten in the semifinal. Can you say something about the human being? We don't know anything about Safin like man, like guy, what sort of man he is.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I don't know, but he's a nice guy and that's it. He's not talking badly about no one, and he has a very good relationships, I think, with everybody. And let's say big heart, I think it's very important in tennis, for the relationships.
Q. What do you think was the most important: To take you as a coach or to leave the other coach, in a way? Not because he was bad coach, but because it was a psychological problem at the moment.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I didn't know his old coach very well, and I don't want to -- I don't want to tell anything bad about the old coach. I just want to tell something good about the old coach, because --
Q. Thinking psychologically more than anything, he seemed to have a problem to play well when he was with him more psychologically.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: You know, I just want to tell you then, his old coach, he created -- I think he's create a big player, you know. And I think what the main point for Marat, he needs to fix his brain. I think that was the main point, and I never -- I never train Marat, you know, I never, like, spend five hours on the court with Marat.
Q. You spoke well.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: You know, I only had chances to give the good feeling, good sense, I don't know. I tried to tell him, you know, something for the -- to get him in shape to get, you know, to do not thinking about anything, you know. If you will be clean in your head, even if you are in the bad shape, you can play well. That's what I was trying to tell Marat.
Q. Are you excited by the amount of talent you see in him?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I think he's very talented today, and the point is if we not going to continue to working, the talent is going down like this. And -- because today he only played a tournament every week, and I said to Marat if you want to be ready for the French Open, you have to like stop for one week and --
Q. Is he going to do that?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: No, he's entering to play before French Open.
Q. He's playing Dusseldorf?
MARAT SAFIN: He's going to play Dusseldorf, but in the team, Kafelnikov and Safin, they taking the team. I said to Marat, okay, listen, I'm going to play instead of you. (Laughter.) Because I don't -- I don't want you get exhausted before the French Open, and I don't want you repeat my mistakes, or any mistakes on the Tour.
Q. Which were playing too much?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Let's say I said to him if you want to play well, you have to play three, four tournaments maximum, and then you have to practice for one or two weeks. Then you can improve your tennis, and we talk about the talent. You know, the talent is not only we have to be the talent in your hand, you have to be talented in your head also. If you bring two things together, talent here and talent in your head, then you can be the champion.
Q. If you had to play against Safin today, how you can beat him?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: No, I don't want to beat him. I don't want to let him go on. No, no, but if you want to see this match between me and Safin, the way he play, he can beat -- he can -- I don't think if he afraid to play someone else on the Tour today.
End of FastScripts….
2000 FORO ITALICO
ROME, ITALY
May 9, 2000
An interview with:
ANDREI CHESNOKOV and MARAT SAFIN
Q. Why are you such a good coach?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I am a good tennis player.
Q. Could you perhaps tell us roughly how the new relationship with Marat came about, you know, when did it happen and why did it happen and then perhaps Marat could tell us a little bit of the impact it clearly had on him.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: His agent found me in Paris and asked if I can help with Marat. I got a phone call from his agent, an agent. He asked me if I can help him as a coach, and that's the way we begin together in Barcelona. I want to tell, I never did special like -- special things. Like I will never practice together for five hours, we never worked for five hours, but, you know, I think I took the great player. And the only things I can tell you, like something for his head during the tournament in Barcelona. And I think this guy, he can listen well. I think if he can listen well, it's more important things.
Q. Have you ever thought that you wanted to get in to coaching, or is it just a complete surprise to you as well?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: It's little bit surprised me, and before I was -- I was -- I still playing like a tournament last week. And I don't play any more, let's say ATP tournaments, but I can -- I always play -- I was always continue to play the other tournaments, and I think this offer little bit surprised me. And I said to myself, "Okay, but Marat, I know he's a nice guy and why I don't -- why I'm not going to try a little bit to help him." And I think he did a very, very good job in Barcelona, and then last weekend in Mallorca. And I said to him, you know, now you can play tennis, you don't need a coach anymore. (Laughter.)
Q. Can you tell us something, can you say if it's true about your new technique of hitting your pupil if he doesn't want you to order it?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: The new technique, it's very simple today. I said to Marat, you know, it's very simple today. We don't have too much time before the Barcelona tournament because I am arrive to Barcelona Sunday, and one of the things -- I don't want to see any results, but I want to see the man on the court, and I would like you to fight for every single point. That's the first things I said to him. But I think he listen well, and he know the tennis and I think he was working a lot with his old coach and he has a very good potential today, and he's very talented and he can play tennis.
Q. Which do you think was his biggest problem? At which level do you think he could arrive?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Which level?
Q. Yes. I mean ranking or...
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: But, you know, the way he played until the Barcelona tournament, the way he played until Barcelona tournament he should be like maybe 500. (Laughter.) Don't be nervous, don't be nervous. But the way he played like the last two tournaments, it's No. 1 player.
Q. Is he allowed to say some words, too?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Can you tell how far you can go?
Q. Does this new technique work out of Spain or just in Spain?
MARAT SAFIN: What do you mean?
Q. You won two small tournaments in Spain.
MARAT SAFIN: Excuse me, but maybe it was small tournaments for you, but to me, I won one tournament that was $325,000. So for me to win a tournament in Mallorca is 500,000. There are a lot of players, Kafelnikov, not a good player... Norman is -- I don't know. Maybe for you is -- sorry, I'm not on your level now.
Q. Marat, when did you start thinking that you might need to change your coach, and was it your idea that they spoke to Andrei?
MARAT SAFIN: Yes, because I think we have been together a long time with Rafael. He had become not a coach, he become like a father. And it's little bit difficult to get something really high, for example, I don't know, to be in the top in rankings. It's a little bit difficult because you can't -- when he's talking, sometimes you don't understand him because he's talking like a father, and he cannot understand me on the court. But out of the court, we was -- we was so close, so something -- we miss something on the court. So I said to him, "Let's try something new." I would like to know what is happening. I told him that I am going to try to work with Andrei. He said yes, it's -- he told me it is a good idea. I was sad, he was sad, but that's life because it just was business. But our relationship is still the same, and I think it's bit more important than the business. Because otherwise, if was -- if I will be with him right now, it will be first round, first round, first round, and then in two months, say ahhh, fuck you and fuck you. That's it. (Laughter.) We like this. I don't want to lose him -- I didn't want to lose him like a friend, so that was right idea I think.
Q. Some days you play like a champion, some times like a 500 player. Is it some Russian attitude? Like Kafelnikov, sometimes he plays like a champion, wins a Grand Slam tournament then after for three, four weeks in a row he gets out in the first round with all the talent he has. Is it a Russian problem or just the athlete?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't know. Ask him.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I would like to give the answer. I would like to give the answer. First of all, about the -- you said two "small" tournaments, Barcelona and -- no, no, no. Listen. Okay. For Sampras and Agassi, it's maybe like some kind of Challenger. Maybe. It could be. For him, you know, for him it's a big tournament and it was a big week in Barcelona, even in Mallorca. Because it doesn't matter who he played, maybe the player ranking all the way up to the final, you know, against the players like ranking 100 or 200. The way he played, he played great, and I think it's more important that he won these two tournaments. He got the confidence. His head is clean now and he can play tennis like a champion. And of course we don't want to stop, you know, let's say last week, you know. He won the tournament. He won two tournaments. It's not our goal. I'd prefer we go forward. And the question with Kafelnikov, I don't want to see Marat on the Tour if he's going to play the way like Kafelnikov. You know, I said, okay, if you're going to win a tournament, you know, you have to be like a champion. You cannot, let's say, play the next tournament, let's say you won the tournament in Barcelona. There's the next tournament in Mallorca. You cannot, like, giving up the first round. No, you have to fight. You have to fight for every single point, and that makes the difference you to the other players. I don't want talking about let's say especially to Kafelnikov, who will let's say -- who played the tournament in -- Grand Slam tournament, first tournament Grand Slam this year, Australian Open. And then next, let's say now he's losing everywhere first and second round. No. It's not -- it's not -- today it's not like his style and, you know, we're working to get him better.
Q. What would happen if Marat acted on court the way he did at the Australian Open this year with you coaching him? At the Australian, when they fined you for --
MARAT SAFIN: Who fined me?
Q. The ITF fined you.
MARAT SAFIN: Ah, fined me.
Q. What would happen?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: What, in Australia? I don't understand the question. Go ahead.
MARAT SAFIN: One more time?
Q. You were fined.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah.
Q. For allegedly not trying in the Australian Open this year.
MARAT SAFIN: First of all, I would like to say that how they put in the press and everything, it was completely different. Because nobody -- everybody knows more than me. It's unbelievable how the people from the press, they know what I did.
Q. What did you do?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, because it was -- sorry, but it was in the court almost higher, so we played almost there. Nobody was in the stand, no in the seats. Was completely empty. I don't know how the people from the press, they knew it.
Q. We were just told that --
MARAT SAFIN: Who told you? How you can write this thing --
Q. We only wrote what we were told - that you were fined because of --
MARAT SAFIN: Because of what?
Q. -- for not trying.
MARAT SAFIN: Okay, for not trying. How I not try?
Q. The ITF officials told us.
MARAT SAFIN: The ITF don't have any idea.
Q. What was your view of what happened?
MARAT SAFIN: First of all, in the press they put that I took the ball with the hand. How can you write it if you didn't see it with your eyes? How you can do it? Sorry, guys, but is not serious. How --
Q. All we could write was what they produced as an official statement. We couldn't make any comment. We have no idea whether you were at --
MARAT SAFIN: Okay, so ITF, how they can do this?
Q. They apparently did it on the report of a supervisor, Bill Gillmore.
MARAT SAFIN: Okay, he's a genius. I mean why? He was on the court?
Q. I have no idea. He said he was.
MARAT SAFIN: He was on the court?
Q. He said he was.
MARAT SAFIN: There was only umpire, my coach and a few person more.
Q. I can witness that I was passing by this court and I had just a glimpse, I saw you desperately trying. I am the witness against all of those reporters, all of them. (Laughter.)
MARAT SAFIN: Okay. So you can write whatever you want, okay. I'm a bad player, they put me fine $2,000, okay. I think it was good -- yes, I took with the hand the ball. Yes, I hit the ball boy also. You can put it. Is okay. Is no problem. But, no, ITF, okay, is no your problem, is ITF problem. But I don't understand how the people, they can write it. Sorry, but it wasn't like this. I'm telling to you now, it wasn't like this. You have to write this, what they put on the press.
Q. Did I ask you for a press conference there, I don't remember?
MARAT SAFIN: No.
Q. You weren't asked for a press conference there in Australia? But were you asked for a press conference there?
MARAT SAFIN: No, because I was -- sorry, but I was sad. When I read this -- I had it to --
Q. But immediately after the match.
MARAT SAFIN: No, nobody asked me what happened. Sorry.
Q. Andrei, how much are you likely to travel this year?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Today, I don't like to travel. I don't like to travel.
Q. So are you not going to travel to a lot of tournaments or what?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I will, I will. If we're going to continue to working, I think I have to travel.
Q. We'll see you everywhere.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I cannot promise you.
Q. Can he win the French Open?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Can he win the French Open?
MARAT SAFIN: No.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Okay, you can go out and I give answer. I don't want you to hear this. (Laughter.) But also, I would like to say, you know, I will give you answer on this question but, you know, today -- but not today. I said already to Marat, the way you played the tournament in let's say Indian Wells, Copenhagen, Monte Carlo, let's say you play the first set then if something happens, like something bad, then you give the match away. And I said it, you know, the way you played until Barcelona, you was not a man. And if we -- if you want to work together with me, you have to be on a court like a man, like a Muster. Muster, he was a big fighter, even he was in a bad mood, didn't sleep, something happening during the match, he never give up. He play until the end. And I said to Marat, that's the way you have to play every match. Even today, it could be he's going a bit tired after the Barcelona and Mallorca. It's not so easy to play two weeks in a row like this. I said even if he's going up 6-2, 5-Love, I would like you to play until the end. Every point, every point you will win, you will get the experience for the French Open. For the French Open, I would like him to win, you know, the big tournament like the French Open, Wimbledon, whatever. But the point is I don't know him very well. I don't know where we have to work to get -- when, where, on what case we have to work. I know what is his bad things on the court, I know he has good things on the court. But of course I would like him to win French Open. You know, every thing is possible during the two weeks in the French Open. The point is you -- it's not only you have to play well sometimes. Also, you have to be lucky sometimes during the tournament, because, you know, the level is so high today and not everybody can play well. Like Ruud last week, he played the biggest match. I never seen Ruud the way he played against Safin. And Safin, he won 7-5 in the third.
Q. But in your opinion, clay is his best surface?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I think he can play everywhere. I think he can play well everywhere because he got a good serve and also his hand is quick.
Q. Even grass?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Even on grass.
Q. On ice?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: On ice, he can play Moscow during the winter. And I played on ice, yeah. It's not so easy. You have to -- you have to skate well. (Laughter.)
Q. I always do that in St. Moritz for Christmas. I have experience on ice, as you are experienced on ice.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Did you won the tournament in St. Moritz?
Q. I was beaten in the semifinal. Can you say something about the human being? We don't know anything about Safin like man, like guy, what sort of man he is.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I don't know, but he's a nice guy and that's it. He's not talking badly about no one, and he has a very good relationships, I think, with everybody. And let's say big heart, I think it's very important in tennis, for the relationships.
Q. What do you think was the most important: To take you as a coach or to leave the other coach, in a way? Not because he was bad coach, but because it was a psychological problem at the moment.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I didn't know his old coach very well, and I don't want to -- I don't want to tell anything bad about the old coach. I just want to tell something good about the old coach, because --
Q. Thinking psychologically more than anything, he seemed to have a problem to play well when he was with him more psychologically.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: You know, I just want to tell you then, his old coach, he created -- I think he's create a big player, you know. And I think what the main point for Marat, he needs to fix his brain. I think that was the main point, and I never -- I never train Marat, you know, I never, like, spend five hours on the court with Marat.
Q. You spoke well.
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: You know, I only had chances to give the good feeling, good sense, I don't know. I tried to tell him, you know, something for the -- to get him in shape to get, you know, to do not thinking about anything, you know. If you will be clean in your head, even if you are in the bad shape, you can play well. That's what I was trying to tell Marat.
Q. Are you excited by the amount of talent you see in him?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: I think he's very talented today, and the point is if we not going to continue to working, the talent is going down like this. And -- because today he only played a tournament every week, and I said to Marat if you want to be ready for the French Open, you have to like stop for one week and --
Q. Is he going to do that?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: No, he's entering to play before French Open.
Q. He's playing Dusseldorf?
MARAT SAFIN: He's going to play Dusseldorf, but in the team, Kafelnikov and Safin, they taking the team. I said to Marat, okay, listen, I'm going to play instead of you. (Laughter.) Because I don't -- I don't want you get exhausted before the French Open, and I don't want you repeat my mistakes, or any mistakes on the Tour.
Q. Which were playing too much?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: Let's say I said to him if you want to play well, you have to play three, four tournaments maximum, and then you have to practice for one or two weeks. Then you can improve your tennis, and we talk about the talent. You know, the talent is not only we have to be the talent in your hand, you have to be talented in your head also. If you bring two things together, talent here and talent in your head, then you can be the champion.
Q. If you had to play against Safin today, how you can beat him?
ANDREI CHESNOKOV: No, I don't want to beat him. I don't want to let him go on. No, no, but if you want to see this match between me and Safin, the way he play, he can beat -- he can -- I don't think if he afraid to play someone else on the Tour today.
End of FastScripts….
Re: Re: Re: Marat Interviews
THE 1999 LIPTON CHAMPIONSHIPS
KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA
March 20, 1999
M. SAFIN/B. Becker
7-5, 6-0
An interview with:
MARAT SAFIN
MIKI SINGH: Questions for Marat.
Q. What does playing somebody like Boris and beating him, even though he's no longer at the peek he was, what does that mean to you?
MARAT SAFIN: Today was a nice match because he's -- I think it's my opinion, he's not ready to -- he's not playing good, I don't think. He wasn't ready today. But he's still Boris Becker. He was No. 1 in the world. It doesn't matter how he's playing now, he was No. 1 in the world. It's everything.
Q. How did you regard him eight or ten years ago when you were a little boy starting to play? Was he a hero?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I like him, watching in TV or somewhere. It's nice, play against him. I mean, it's very important to me that I can say to my kids that I was playing against Boris Becker. It's nice. Sorry for the people that loves him a lot.
Q. How much a better player do you think you are now than you were in the French Open last year?
MARAT SAFIN: I think more experience. Now I know what I have to do. Most important moments of the match I can think. I can do a lot more, I can play better now because I feel better, with more confidence, I know everybody from the Tour. I have more experience, just this.
Q. Although you're preparing for this tournament and the hopes to win a championship, what do you think about the area itself in South Florida? Are you enjoying any recreational activities at all? Do you like it here?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I like it. But I'm 19 years old, so (laughter).
Q. No marriage in your plans there?
MARAT SAFIN: No. I just playing my tournament. I bought a computer three days ago, so I'm playing with computer. I can go anywhere.
Q. Are you on the Internet all the time?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, but I like this place. Miami is very nice. I like it very much because I was here like seven times playing Orange Bowl, a lot of tournaments. So I like it.
Q. You know this was Boris' last match in the United States. Do you have any feelings about beating him so badly, especially in the second set?
MARAT SAFIN: Very badly, yeah (laughter).
Q. That's tennis, right?
MARAT SAFIN: Really it's not very nice, but I really sorry about that. I was doing my job. I was playing because I can't lose the concentration. If not, Boris can make turn around the match. I had to play all the points, so that's why the score in the second set was a little bit not so good.
Q. What do you sense was the difference? 5-5, double-faulted three times. Seemed like the lights went out after that.
MARAT SAFIN: I think it was the key there. He make just three double-faults. If it's going 6-All, I don't know what can happen in the tiebreak. Maybe in the second set he play with more confidence, because he doesn't play a lot of tournaments, so he's losing confidence, confidence is going. I still don't know what can happen the second set if he win the first one. He can play unbelievable tennis.
Q. He did, you say?
MARAT SAFIN: No, he can play unbelievable tennis. If he win the first set, feeling better, maybe 7-6, 6-0, but for him, 7-5, 6-0.
Q. Did you watch him? When Boris won Wimbledon the first time, you were four or five years old.
MARAT SAFIN: I was in a kids garden.
Q. Were you interested in watching tennis when you were young?
MARAT SAFIN: I didn't see him too much on the TVs. It was a little bit difficult for us, for Russia, to see Boris. Sometimes in the big tournaments like Wimbledon and Roland Garros, of course I was watching him.
Q. That must give you a lot of confidence because you played so excellent, with the Davis Cup now against Germany.
MARAT SAFIN: Really today was a little bit nervous because still it's Boris Becker. I was playing good today.
Q. When did you first see him in real life, not on television?
MARAT SAFIN: Last year, Stuttgart. Boris, Boris (laughter).
Q. Did you feel you had to show him some respect early in the match?
MARAT SAFIN: Is difficult to respect him. Of course, you respect Boris. In the match, you have to think how to beat him. It's not the respect -- it's not the same respect.
Q. Apprehensive of his reputation?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't know. It's different. I was thinking about to win this match. Doesn't matter who is standing in there, Boris or Pete Sampras, who else. Out of the court, of course I will respect him.
Q. Do you follow the history of tennis? Do you know how many Grand Slams he's won, how many Wimbledons he's won?
MARAT SAFIN: Really, exactly, I don't know.
Q. You mention you're 19 years old. How does it feel having a job like this, you're on top of your game, other people are going to work with a briefcase and suit and tie? You're 19, having a great time playing tennis. How do you enjoy your position at such a young age?
MARAT SAFIN: It's true, I'm 19 years old. I don't know what can happen next year. Maybe I'm going back to play satellites. 19 years old is a good age. I'm 26 in the world. I don't know what can happen. It's not for sure, a hundred percent, that I'll be a great player. Maybe, maybe not. Maybe I'm going back to satellites. Maybe I retire in one year. Maybe something can happen tomorrow. Nobody knows. I don't have a good contract with, I don't know, a good magazine like somebody here. I have to be worry about this. This is my job.
Q. Where are you going to start your clay court tournaments after Davis Cup?
MARAT SAFIN: Estoril, and everything, Barcelona, Monte-Carlo. I have to play because I'm young. Why not? I will try this year.
Q. Are you going to play anything on grass between France and Wimbledon?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. I'll play Queen's and Rosmalen. Not too many chances.
Q. In Spanish you said that you felt sorry because of the crowd, that you defeated Boris. But you didn't show any mercy when you were 5-Love. When Boris was in his prime time, he was the same. Did you feel a little bit, "I am winning this set in such a way against Boris"?
MARAT SAFIN: It's not nice, but if I give him one game --.
Q. -- He can come back?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. Why not? It's too dangerous. Sorry about this. It's too dangerous for me.
Q. You thought that?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, of course. I know it's not nice, but this is tennis. I have to think about me.
Q. When Boris was 19, he wouldn't have given you a game.
MARAT SAFIN: For sure. This is for sure, a hundred percent.
Q. Are there public radio stations or TV stations where you're from? Do you listen to public radio or television where you're from?
MARAT SAFIN: What do you mean?
Q. Like National Public Radio or public television?
MARAT SAFIN: Talking about me?
Q. Yes.
MARAT SAFIN: For the moment, no. I hope you will talk about me.
Q. We certainly will. Tomorrow you play Mark Philippoussis. Lost to him in Indian Wells. How are you going to approach this match?
MARAT SAFIN: Last week he was teaching me how to play tennis. This week I don't know. I hope I'll play better. I will try to do all my best. I think he won Indian Wells last week. He's playing good, big serve. He's been playing good from the baseline and unbelievable volley. It will be really tough. I have to be clever in important moments of the match. It will be just two or three points. It will be all the match. So I have to be with more confidence and be clear.
Q. Are there other sports you have a passion for as much as tennis?
MARAT SAFIN: Soccer. I like hockey, but it's too dangerous, I think, my teeth (laughter).
End of FastScripts....
THE 1999 LIPTON CHAMPIONSHIPS
KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA
March 20, 1999
M. SAFIN/B. Becker
7-5, 6-0
An interview with:
MARAT SAFIN
MIKI SINGH: Questions for Marat.
Q. What does playing somebody like Boris and beating him, even though he's no longer at the peek he was, what does that mean to you?
MARAT SAFIN: Today was a nice match because he's -- I think it's my opinion, he's not ready to -- he's not playing good, I don't think. He wasn't ready today. But he's still Boris Becker. He was No. 1 in the world. It doesn't matter how he's playing now, he was No. 1 in the world. It's everything.
Q. How did you regard him eight or ten years ago when you were a little boy starting to play? Was he a hero?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I like him, watching in TV or somewhere. It's nice, play against him. I mean, it's very important to me that I can say to my kids that I was playing against Boris Becker. It's nice. Sorry for the people that loves him a lot.
Q. How much a better player do you think you are now than you were in the French Open last year?
MARAT SAFIN: I think more experience. Now I know what I have to do. Most important moments of the match I can think. I can do a lot more, I can play better now because I feel better, with more confidence, I know everybody from the Tour. I have more experience, just this.
Q. Although you're preparing for this tournament and the hopes to win a championship, what do you think about the area itself in South Florida? Are you enjoying any recreational activities at all? Do you like it here?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I like it. But I'm 19 years old, so (laughter).
Q. No marriage in your plans there?
MARAT SAFIN: No. I just playing my tournament. I bought a computer three days ago, so I'm playing with computer. I can go anywhere.
Q. Are you on the Internet all the time?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, but I like this place. Miami is very nice. I like it very much because I was here like seven times playing Orange Bowl, a lot of tournaments. So I like it.
Q. You know this was Boris' last match in the United States. Do you have any feelings about beating him so badly, especially in the second set?
MARAT SAFIN: Very badly, yeah (laughter).
Q. That's tennis, right?
MARAT SAFIN: Really it's not very nice, but I really sorry about that. I was doing my job. I was playing because I can't lose the concentration. If not, Boris can make turn around the match. I had to play all the points, so that's why the score in the second set was a little bit not so good.
Q. What do you sense was the difference? 5-5, double-faulted three times. Seemed like the lights went out after that.
MARAT SAFIN: I think it was the key there. He make just three double-faults. If it's going 6-All, I don't know what can happen in the tiebreak. Maybe in the second set he play with more confidence, because he doesn't play a lot of tournaments, so he's losing confidence, confidence is going. I still don't know what can happen the second set if he win the first one. He can play unbelievable tennis.
Q. He did, you say?
MARAT SAFIN: No, he can play unbelievable tennis. If he win the first set, feeling better, maybe 7-6, 6-0, but for him, 7-5, 6-0.
Q. Did you watch him? When Boris won Wimbledon the first time, you were four or five years old.
MARAT SAFIN: I was in a kids garden.
Q. Were you interested in watching tennis when you were young?
MARAT SAFIN: I didn't see him too much on the TVs. It was a little bit difficult for us, for Russia, to see Boris. Sometimes in the big tournaments like Wimbledon and Roland Garros, of course I was watching him.
Q. That must give you a lot of confidence because you played so excellent, with the Davis Cup now against Germany.
MARAT SAFIN: Really today was a little bit nervous because still it's Boris Becker. I was playing good today.
Q. When did you first see him in real life, not on television?
MARAT SAFIN: Last year, Stuttgart. Boris, Boris (laughter).
Q. Did you feel you had to show him some respect early in the match?
MARAT SAFIN: Is difficult to respect him. Of course, you respect Boris. In the match, you have to think how to beat him. It's not the respect -- it's not the same respect.
Q. Apprehensive of his reputation?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't know. It's different. I was thinking about to win this match. Doesn't matter who is standing in there, Boris or Pete Sampras, who else. Out of the court, of course I will respect him.
Q. Do you follow the history of tennis? Do you know how many Grand Slams he's won, how many Wimbledons he's won?
MARAT SAFIN: Really, exactly, I don't know.
Q. You mention you're 19 years old. How does it feel having a job like this, you're on top of your game, other people are going to work with a briefcase and suit and tie? You're 19, having a great time playing tennis. How do you enjoy your position at such a young age?
MARAT SAFIN: It's true, I'm 19 years old. I don't know what can happen next year. Maybe I'm going back to play satellites. 19 years old is a good age. I'm 26 in the world. I don't know what can happen. It's not for sure, a hundred percent, that I'll be a great player. Maybe, maybe not. Maybe I'm going back to satellites. Maybe I retire in one year. Maybe something can happen tomorrow. Nobody knows. I don't have a good contract with, I don't know, a good magazine like somebody here. I have to be worry about this. This is my job.
Q. Where are you going to start your clay court tournaments after Davis Cup?
MARAT SAFIN: Estoril, and everything, Barcelona, Monte-Carlo. I have to play because I'm young. Why not? I will try this year.
Q. Are you going to play anything on grass between France and Wimbledon?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. I'll play Queen's and Rosmalen. Not too many chances.
Q. In Spanish you said that you felt sorry because of the crowd, that you defeated Boris. But you didn't show any mercy when you were 5-Love. When Boris was in his prime time, he was the same. Did you feel a little bit, "I am winning this set in such a way against Boris"?
MARAT SAFIN: It's not nice, but if I give him one game --.
Q. -- He can come back?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. Why not? It's too dangerous. Sorry about this. It's too dangerous for me.
Q. You thought that?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, of course. I know it's not nice, but this is tennis. I have to think about me.
Q. When Boris was 19, he wouldn't have given you a game.
MARAT SAFIN: For sure. This is for sure, a hundred percent.
Q. Are there public radio stations or TV stations where you're from? Do you listen to public radio or television where you're from?
MARAT SAFIN: What do you mean?
Q. Like National Public Radio or public television?
MARAT SAFIN: Talking about me?
Q. Yes.
MARAT SAFIN: For the moment, no. I hope you will talk about me.
Q. We certainly will. Tomorrow you play Mark Philippoussis. Lost to him in Indian Wells. How are you going to approach this match?
MARAT SAFIN: Last week he was teaching me how to play tennis. This week I don't know. I hope I'll play better. I will try to do all my best. I think he won Indian Wells last week. He's playing good, big serve. He's been playing good from the baseline and unbelievable volley. It will be really tough. I have to be clever in important moments of the match. It will be just two or three points. It will be all the match. So I have to be with more confidence and be clear.
Q. Are there other sports you have a passion for as much as tennis?
MARAT SAFIN: Soccer. I like hockey, but it's too dangerous, I think, my teeth (laughter).
End of FastScripts....
Here is one of my favorite interviews. Its full of great quotes and Marat witticisms
Interview With Marat Safin from ATP.com (2001)
Marat Safin is currently ranked second in the ATP Champions Race. He's preparing for a busy summer schedule which begins for him at the Tennis Masters Canada. He then follows that with the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati, and the RCA Championships in Indianapolis.
Q. You once said a few years ago that you loved women more than tennis. Is that still the case?
MARAT SAFIN: You cannot compare pleasure with the business, my friend. It's two different things. So you have to dedicate yourself to the business or to the pleasure. Sometimes you have to choose between business and pleasure; you choose business. This is my case.
Q. Is tennis for you then a means to an end? Are you actually enjoying when you're on the court? Are you having a good time?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. But, you know, sometimes is difficult because for some reasons you don't -- it is not something just playing tennis, it's more like psychological game. It's not only passing the ball, just hitting the ball as hard as you can, just serve and volley. It's more than that. Sometimes you are using your head. Sometimes it's very difficult for some reasons, because you're not playing well, or you're playing well. So it's sometimes difficult. It's difficult sometimes to win matches for some reasons. Is what happened to me in Wimbledon and semifinals in Paris.
Q. I would like to know whether the Toronto experience two years ago, history may repeat itself, do you have a sense it would repeat itself, win here in Toronto, go on and win the US Open? Do you have a sense it could happen again?
MARAT SAFIN: Yes, of course, for me it would be great because now, as you can see, it's a little bit difficult to fight with Hewitt because he's playing great and he's like 150 points maybe ahead of me. Definitely have to do well in the tour of America and try to win one Super 9. If it would be Toronto it would be, you know, big thing for me, you know, to come back there and win it one more time. Of course, to prepare myself as much as I can for The Open because it's there where going to decide basically who is pretending to be No. 1 and who has more chances. I definitely want to be there and I definitely want, you know, I would like to try to finish this year still No. 1. It would be big honor. I want it but, you know, a little bit difficult. But I'm preparing myself. I'm preparing myself mentally. I'm working hard.
Q. What do you remember about that Toronto experience, winning the tournament two years ago?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, it was great. It was just -- I never expect that I'm going to win a Super 9. You know, there I was playing great tennis. I beat Pete Sampras. I beat a couple of guys that, you know, you have to work hard to beat them. And I'm happy that I won. That give me a lot of confidence to win the US Open, definitely.
Q. When you talk about preparing yourself mentally, do you find that sometimes your temper gets in the way of your performance on the court? How do you control that temper?
MARAT SAFIN: You know, you're not the first one who is asking me this question, and I don't think you're going to be the last one. You know, for me it's tough to explain what the person he has in the head. Every person is different, as you can see, you know, in the experience of your life everybody is thinking different way. It's impossible to find two persons thinking the same way. It's very difficult because everybody has own style of life and just, you know, they're different. In my case, a lot of people, they think that it's kind of easy for me, tennis. You know, I have a lot of talent, that I have potential to win a few more Grand Slams, I have a big talent, but I'm just not focused enough, I'm not working enough, I'm not into it anymore. All the time they find to put me down all the time. It hurts. Of course, it hurts. But, my friend, is not so easy to, you know, just be with the talent. I think that is what they say. Is not enough. You have to find yourself like a player, what you want, how you want to play. Is not easy to play, especially when the tennis is more equal than before, and everybody can play tennis basically. Is not only Top 10, now is top hundred can play great tennis. You have to prepare every match and every match. This year, just I had a couple of bad loss, you know, like 7-6 in the third against Moya, a few other ones. 7-6 against Hewitt in Miami. So as you can see, I'm fighting. But I cannot make this small step that I need. It would be different story. For me, it's difficult. You know, I'm looking for it. I'm looking. I want to win. Of course, I want to win. Of course, I want to play tennis. Of course, I want to win a lot of Grand Slams. But it's not so easy. It's difficult to explain. It's not only tennis; it's more psychological game. I'm trying, but for me it's not so easy like for other persons.
Q. On that same subject, do you believe in sports psychologists? A lot of people believe in them. Do you use any?
MARAT SAFIN: No, I don't. I don't know, maybe. I never tried. I don't think I want to do it because - I don't know. Me, I'm not different, not completely nut case. I'm just different. Just don't know. People, they see what I'm doing on the court. Some people don't understand. But is not so difficult to understand. I don't know. I have to push myself sometimes when I'm losing. I have to push myself. I have to break racquet, whatever, just throw the ball out of the court. At the end it helps me. The way I played in 2000, you know, getting upset on the court. But this way I only can just push myself to work hard and to fight on the match. I liked it. It's good in this way, and it's bad because I'm showing too much that, you know, I'm too - how would say - I show too much on the court my emotion. I'm too emotional. So it doesn't help me. Of course, it helps me. It's just the way I am. I cannot change myself when I'm 22.
Q. John McEnroe used it to a great success. Do you see any comparisons between your temper and John McEnroe's? Maybe it helps you in some situations.
MARAT SAFIN: I would love to be like, you know -- to be in a way like him. But, I mean, you cannot compare me to John McEnroe. I mean, sorry, but he won 77 singles titles and 77 doubles titles. Me, I won one title and one final, so I don't think you can compare me to him. He's too good - too good. But is also different time, different tennis. I don't know. As you can see, nobody -- for example, this year, Johansson and Costa won the tournaments, so nobody can make. I don't know, like Hewitt or Federer going to win five Grand Slams or six Grand Slams, you know, something like this. It's very difficult because is too many people who are playing too good tennis.
Q. A lot of people like to see athletes show emotion like you have. People complain that tennis players don't show enough emotion. Do you find that you're more appealing to tennis fans because of your willingness to show emotion? Do you think more people should show emotion like you on the court?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't know. It's the way I am. It's nice actually to hear a lot of people, they like watching me play. It's very nice. But just, you know, the tennis stars, you don't have to forget at the end of the day it's a beautiful sport. I don't know, it's a gentleman's sport, whatever you can say. But is entertainment for the people, for the spectators. And they don't have to forget this thing. We are just entertainment.
Q. You talked a little bit earlier about the year end No. 1 and all. I wondered if that motivated you as much as Grand Slam titles? Is that something that still is as important as -- to be the year end No. 1? Does that motivate you as much as winning Grand Slams?
MARAT SAFIN: I mean, you cannot be No. 1 in the world without winning a Grand Slam. It just like doesn't work. But just it's going together. You have to. I mean, if you can win one Grand Slam in the year, then it means you are fighting for No. 1. So it's coming together. Of course, I'm motivated to be No. 1. Of course, I'm motivated to win. I would love to win a lot of more Grand Slams. You know, it would be great, but it's not so easy. Is not so easy. But you have to fight. I'm still fighting. I'm trying. I'm looking for myself. I'm looking for my game. Just sometimes it doesn't work, but you have to keep on trying.
Interview With Marat Safin from ATP.com (2001)
Marat Safin is currently ranked second in the ATP Champions Race. He's preparing for a busy summer schedule which begins for him at the Tennis Masters Canada. He then follows that with the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati, and the RCA Championships in Indianapolis.
Q. You once said a few years ago that you loved women more than tennis. Is that still the case?
MARAT SAFIN: You cannot compare pleasure with the business, my friend. It's two different things. So you have to dedicate yourself to the business or to the pleasure. Sometimes you have to choose between business and pleasure; you choose business. This is my case.
Q. Is tennis for you then a means to an end? Are you actually enjoying when you're on the court? Are you having a good time?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. But, you know, sometimes is difficult because for some reasons you don't -- it is not something just playing tennis, it's more like psychological game. It's not only passing the ball, just hitting the ball as hard as you can, just serve and volley. It's more than that. Sometimes you are using your head. Sometimes it's very difficult for some reasons, because you're not playing well, or you're playing well. So it's sometimes difficult. It's difficult sometimes to win matches for some reasons. Is what happened to me in Wimbledon and semifinals in Paris.
Q. I would like to know whether the Toronto experience two years ago, history may repeat itself, do you have a sense it would repeat itself, win here in Toronto, go on and win the US Open? Do you have a sense it could happen again?
MARAT SAFIN: Yes, of course, for me it would be great because now, as you can see, it's a little bit difficult to fight with Hewitt because he's playing great and he's like 150 points maybe ahead of me. Definitely have to do well in the tour of America and try to win one Super 9. If it would be Toronto it would be, you know, big thing for me, you know, to come back there and win it one more time. Of course, to prepare myself as much as I can for The Open because it's there where going to decide basically who is pretending to be No. 1 and who has more chances. I definitely want to be there and I definitely want, you know, I would like to try to finish this year still No. 1. It would be big honor. I want it but, you know, a little bit difficult. But I'm preparing myself. I'm preparing myself mentally. I'm working hard.
Q. What do you remember about that Toronto experience, winning the tournament two years ago?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, it was great. It was just -- I never expect that I'm going to win a Super 9. You know, there I was playing great tennis. I beat Pete Sampras. I beat a couple of guys that, you know, you have to work hard to beat them. And I'm happy that I won. That give me a lot of confidence to win the US Open, definitely.
Q. When you talk about preparing yourself mentally, do you find that sometimes your temper gets in the way of your performance on the court? How do you control that temper?
MARAT SAFIN: You know, you're not the first one who is asking me this question, and I don't think you're going to be the last one. You know, for me it's tough to explain what the person he has in the head. Every person is different, as you can see, you know, in the experience of your life everybody is thinking different way. It's impossible to find two persons thinking the same way. It's very difficult because everybody has own style of life and just, you know, they're different. In my case, a lot of people, they think that it's kind of easy for me, tennis. You know, I have a lot of talent, that I have potential to win a few more Grand Slams, I have a big talent, but I'm just not focused enough, I'm not working enough, I'm not into it anymore. All the time they find to put me down all the time. It hurts. Of course, it hurts. But, my friend, is not so easy to, you know, just be with the talent. I think that is what they say. Is not enough. You have to find yourself like a player, what you want, how you want to play. Is not easy to play, especially when the tennis is more equal than before, and everybody can play tennis basically. Is not only Top 10, now is top hundred can play great tennis. You have to prepare every match and every match. This year, just I had a couple of bad loss, you know, like 7-6 in the third against Moya, a few other ones. 7-6 against Hewitt in Miami. So as you can see, I'm fighting. But I cannot make this small step that I need. It would be different story. For me, it's difficult. You know, I'm looking for it. I'm looking. I want to win. Of course, I want to win. Of course, I want to play tennis. Of course, I want to win a lot of Grand Slams. But it's not so easy. It's difficult to explain. It's not only tennis; it's more psychological game. I'm trying, but for me it's not so easy like for other persons.
Q. On that same subject, do you believe in sports psychologists? A lot of people believe in them. Do you use any?
MARAT SAFIN: No, I don't. I don't know, maybe. I never tried. I don't think I want to do it because - I don't know. Me, I'm not different, not completely nut case. I'm just different. Just don't know. People, they see what I'm doing on the court. Some people don't understand. But is not so difficult to understand. I don't know. I have to push myself sometimes when I'm losing. I have to push myself. I have to break racquet, whatever, just throw the ball out of the court. At the end it helps me. The way I played in 2000, you know, getting upset on the court. But this way I only can just push myself to work hard and to fight on the match. I liked it. It's good in this way, and it's bad because I'm showing too much that, you know, I'm too - how would say - I show too much on the court my emotion. I'm too emotional. So it doesn't help me. Of course, it helps me. It's just the way I am. I cannot change myself when I'm 22.
Q. John McEnroe used it to a great success. Do you see any comparisons between your temper and John McEnroe's? Maybe it helps you in some situations.
MARAT SAFIN: I would love to be like, you know -- to be in a way like him. But, I mean, you cannot compare me to John McEnroe. I mean, sorry, but he won 77 singles titles and 77 doubles titles. Me, I won one title and one final, so I don't think you can compare me to him. He's too good - too good. But is also different time, different tennis. I don't know. As you can see, nobody -- for example, this year, Johansson and Costa won the tournaments, so nobody can make. I don't know, like Hewitt or Federer going to win five Grand Slams or six Grand Slams, you know, something like this. It's very difficult because is too many people who are playing too good tennis.
Q. A lot of people like to see athletes show emotion like you have. People complain that tennis players don't show enough emotion. Do you find that you're more appealing to tennis fans because of your willingness to show emotion? Do you think more people should show emotion like you on the court?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't know. It's the way I am. It's nice actually to hear a lot of people, they like watching me play. It's very nice. But just, you know, the tennis stars, you don't have to forget at the end of the day it's a beautiful sport. I don't know, it's a gentleman's sport, whatever you can say. But is entertainment for the people, for the spectators. And they don't have to forget this thing. We are just entertainment.
Q. You talked a little bit earlier about the year end No. 1 and all. I wondered if that motivated you as much as Grand Slam titles? Is that something that still is as important as -- to be the year end No. 1? Does that motivate you as much as winning Grand Slams?
MARAT SAFIN: I mean, you cannot be No. 1 in the world without winning a Grand Slam. It just like doesn't work. But just it's going together. You have to. I mean, if you can win one Grand Slam in the year, then it means you are fighting for No. 1. So it's coming together. Of course, I'm motivated to be No. 1. Of course, I'm motivated to win. I would love to win a lot of more Grand Slams. You know, it would be great, but it's not so easy. Is not so easy. But you have to fight. I'm still fighting. I'm trying. I'm looking for myself. I'm looking for my game. Just sometimes it doesn't work, but you have to keep on trying.
Q. Do you see yourself, when you're out there on the court, have you been playing at the same level as 2000? People know your game more and it keeps getting more and more competitive to play at that high level week-in and week-out as you did that 2000 summer hard court season.
MARAT SAFIN: No, 2000 I think I played amazing tennis. I had so much confidence. I was playing just great. I was impressed myself that I could play such great tennis. I was surprised actually that I can be -- I mean, I can be good, I can win a Grand Slam, I can win two Masters Series tournaments, win in one year seven titles, is not so easy. I was playing great. I was playing with so much confidence. And this year, yeah, I can. I'm trying. But is not. I'm still far away. But, you know, I'm trying to get there. I'm trying. I'm looking for it, trying to. But is already half a year passed. Not many months is still left so I have to hurry up (laughter).
Q. What you were just talking about, does the beginning of the hard court season in North America help you out because you have had success in this part of the tour before?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. I mean, I always like to play in the States. I always played good tennis. Is what the question was, this question?
Q. Yes. Like you were saying, in 2000 you played so well.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, yeah, but, you know, I was make quite good results in US Open. I don't know. I'm feeling comfortable, very comfortable, playing on the hard courts. So it's basically the tour of States. I like. I don't know, I like the courts, I like everything. For me it's easy to play good tennis there.
Q. Is there, do you think, a clear No. 1 in men's tennis right now?
MARAT SAFIN: No, not at all, at all. I don't think there is clear No. 1. You can be a little more lucky, a little bit unlucky. But there is not a one, you know, No. 1 like was Pete Sampras, this kind of guy. No, no, no. Everything is too close and everybody can beat everybody, so is basically ... Of course, we have Hewitt. He's a great player. But still, you know, he has some problems with other players, I mean, on clay courts. Playing against him, we have a chance. We know we have a chance. We know if we are fighting, we can beat him. Against Pete Sampras a few years ago when you were going on the court with him, you knew that you have no chance to beat him. It has to happen something, I mean, that he will not feel great, he will miss a couple of volleys, he will not serve so great, you know.
Q. Is the fact that there's no clear No. 1 a good thing or a bad thing for the fans, do you think?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't know. Let's see. Let's see how it will work. I mean, it's just -- you know, the tennis is changing. It's still some more young people are coming. Already the Top 10 is already young players. It's Ferrero, it's Hewitt, it's me - I consider myself a young player - Federer, Grosjean, Haas. They're young. You know, like my generation, '78, '79, '80 and '81, these year. I think in one or two years we'll see who is. Something going to happen, I think. Somebody will take care of No. 1, a real No. 1.
Q. Tennis doesn't really have a season. The tour runs pretty much year-round. How hard is it to avoid burnout and to keep yourself engaged in the game?
MARAT SAFIN: Can you a little bit explain the question, a little bit? You went too far with this thing. Just make it for me a little bit more simple.
Q. Because the tour runs year-round and doesn't really have long breaks, how hard is it to not burn out?
MARAT SAFIN: Okay, okay, I get you. It's difficult. I can tell you that how you can -- basically it's traveling 11 months a year. Can you believe it? 11 months? And it means that we are changing basically every week from tournament to tournament or we're trying to go for practice, you know. All the time it's airport, car, hotel, court, home, hotel, tournament, all the time like this. I think for me it's difficult because I'm also scared of flying, yes. I have this paranoia. But, I mean, we are trying. Everybody has the bad periods of the year, you know, when you don't want to do nothing. You are just tired of traveling, you are tired of playing tournaments, and you need to rest. So then you take two weeks, three weeks off, you know, just go out, just enjoy your vacations, to be able to start again and start to playing well because you cannot play well during 11 months of the year. So you have one month you're playing great, another month you're not so great, then you have bad losses. But you have to work on it, and it's very difficult sometimes to find the motivation to play. But also you have to see it's a job. It's quite a great job. It's nice work to do. But, of course, everybody -- I mean, everybody is taking even vacations, like make sessions of five tournaments, take two weeks of vacations.
Q. Have you ever wanted to do anything else besides play tennis?
MARAT SAFIN: I mean, to quit tennis and to do something else?
Q. Or when you were growing up, did you want to do something else?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. But, you know, you have to see from other side. Of course, you can find work to do, like not only tennis. But it's difficult. It's difficult to push yourself because you are already playing tennis since you are six, and I'm already 22. So it's like I'm playing for long time. And if I want to learn to do something else, I need to go back to school, I need to study, I need to spend the time with the lessons. I need to, you know, start again, start over, start zero, from the beginning. So I think it's better to keep on playing and do whatever I can do, and do whatever I like, which is play tennis. Yeah, but I like it. You know, just it's nice game. I think it's great.
Q. I read somewhere that your parents named you after the French revolution figure Jean-Paul Marat?
MARAT SAFIN: No, it's just a Muslim name. I think you know that I'm Muslim, you know, this religion. Yeah, that's why they call me because is Muslim name.
Q. Does the name mean something in Muslim?
MARAT SAFIN: Somebody told me, but I forget. I don't know. I don't know. Freedom. I don't know, something good for sure (laughter). Not French revolutionary. But I hope also because of him. Maybe because of him also. Maybe something it's a royalty (laughter).
Q. You mentioned that you're afraid to fly.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah.
Q. Does that affect your game at all?
MARAT SAFIN: No, it affects me. Not tennis, it affects myself. Every time I go in the plane, sometimes I'm too scared.
Q. Just added stress to the travel
. MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, is difficult. But I'm taking sleeping pills, so is okay.
Q. Tell me what Lleyton Hewitt is doing right now that he's established himself as the No. 1, even though he's not a dominant No. 1. What have you seen change in his game over the last couple of years?
MARAT SAFIN: Just that he's a big fighter. He's more - how would say - you know, during the year his average is very high. He doesn't have bad losses. Every tournament he plays, he makes something. Instead of other guys, we can play great tennis, but sometimes we have such a bad losses, for example, I don't know. You have like second round a few times in a row. And he doesn't make this. He's very stable during all the year. That's what he has.
Q. Tell me about his groundstrokes and so forth. Is his game consistency?
MARAT SAFIN: Consistency, yeah, yeah. You are right.
Q. Are his groundstrokes the best in the game? Are Agassi's better?
MARAT SAFIN: Can you bring it again?
Q. His forehand and backhand, do you think are they the best in tennis or is there someone better?
MARAT SAFIN: No, I think -- Hewitt, what is good, his complete game. He has everything, you know. But he doesn't have the best forehand. The best forehand, I don't know who has at the moment. Ferrero maybe. Federer I think is the best forehand. One-hand backhand type thing is Kuerten. Tommy Haas is great backhand, one-hand. And two-hands backhand I think Kafelnikov, Agassi. And how to say this one? The Russian one, doesn't have a bad one also. What is his name, the young one, the tall one? This guy, you know (laughter)?
Q. I'm not sure which player that is.
MARAT SAFIN: The one not playing too bad. He beat once Sampras in the finals of US Open. Do you know him (laughter)? Safin, maybe Safin? I mean, I don't know, I consider myself I don't have a bad backhand. Not super, but I'm working on it.
Q. What do you think about the fact that there isn't a dominant player in tennis? Some people would say the game is as balanced now as ever. What do you think the reasons for that are? Why isn't anyone able to dominate nowadays?
MARAT SAFIN: Because everybody can play tennis and everybody just -- everybody can play, everybody. Means not only Top 10 players, they can play tennis. Means that the level of the guys like out of Top 10 is very high. That is the reason.
Q. Do you foresee anyone could get to a level where they can do what Sampras did for five years in a row?
MARAT SAFIN: I think now is a stage of being more -- the tennis has to be more equal. Of course, is going to be the guy that come up with something huge. I mean, it goes by times, you know. So I think it will be a few years like this, then it's going to come back the big guy going to come and he going to kick our ass big time.
Q. Could you be that guy?
MARAT SAFIN: I will be too old already for this (laughter). But I'm trying. I'm trying. But it's difficult. I'm trying hard, believe me.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
MARAT SAFIN: No, 2000 I think I played amazing tennis. I had so much confidence. I was playing just great. I was impressed myself that I could play such great tennis. I was surprised actually that I can be -- I mean, I can be good, I can win a Grand Slam, I can win two Masters Series tournaments, win in one year seven titles, is not so easy. I was playing great. I was playing with so much confidence. And this year, yeah, I can. I'm trying. But is not. I'm still far away. But, you know, I'm trying to get there. I'm trying. I'm looking for it, trying to. But is already half a year passed. Not many months is still left so I have to hurry up (laughter).
Q. What you were just talking about, does the beginning of the hard court season in North America help you out because you have had success in this part of the tour before?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. I mean, I always like to play in the States. I always played good tennis. Is what the question was, this question?
Q. Yes. Like you were saying, in 2000 you played so well.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, yeah, but, you know, I was make quite good results in US Open. I don't know. I'm feeling comfortable, very comfortable, playing on the hard courts. So it's basically the tour of States. I like. I don't know, I like the courts, I like everything. For me it's easy to play good tennis there.
Q. Is there, do you think, a clear No. 1 in men's tennis right now?
MARAT SAFIN: No, not at all, at all. I don't think there is clear No. 1. You can be a little more lucky, a little bit unlucky. But there is not a one, you know, No. 1 like was Pete Sampras, this kind of guy. No, no, no. Everything is too close and everybody can beat everybody, so is basically ... Of course, we have Hewitt. He's a great player. But still, you know, he has some problems with other players, I mean, on clay courts. Playing against him, we have a chance. We know we have a chance. We know if we are fighting, we can beat him. Against Pete Sampras a few years ago when you were going on the court with him, you knew that you have no chance to beat him. It has to happen something, I mean, that he will not feel great, he will miss a couple of volleys, he will not serve so great, you know.
Q. Is the fact that there's no clear No. 1 a good thing or a bad thing for the fans, do you think?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't know. Let's see. Let's see how it will work. I mean, it's just -- you know, the tennis is changing. It's still some more young people are coming. Already the Top 10 is already young players. It's Ferrero, it's Hewitt, it's me - I consider myself a young player - Federer, Grosjean, Haas. They're young. You know, like my generation, '78, '79, '80 and '81, these year. I think in one or two years we'll see who is. Something going to happen, I think. Somebody will take care of No. 1, a real No. 1.
Q. Tennis doesn't really have a season. The tour runs pretty much year-round. How hard is it to avoid burnout and to keep yourself engaged in the game?
MARAT SAFIN: Can you a little bit explain the question, a little bit? You went too far with this thing. Just make it for me a little bit more simple.
Q. Because the tour runs year-round and doesn't really have long breaks, how hard is it to not burn out?
MARAT SAFIN: Okay, okay, I get you. It's difficult. I can tell you that how you can -- basically it's traveling 11 months a year. Can you believe it? 11 months? And it means that we are changing basically every week from tournament to tournament or we're trying to go for practice, you know. All the time it's airport, car, hotel, court, home, hotel, tournament, all the time like this. I think for me it's difficult because I'm also scared of flying, yes. I have this paranoia. But, I mean, we are trying. Everybody has the bad periods of the year, you know, when you don't want to do nothing. You are just tired of traveling, you are tired of playing tournaments, and you need to rest. So then you take two weeks, three weeks off, you know, just go out, just enjoy your vacations, to be able to start again and start to playing well because you cannot play well during 11 months of the year. So you have one month you're playing great, another month you're not so great, then you have bad losses. But you have to work on it, and it's very difficult sometimes to find the motivation to play. But also you have to see it's a job. It's quite a great job. It's nice work to do. But, of course, everybody -- I mean, everybody is taking even vacations, like make sessions of five tournaments, take two weeks of vacations.
Q. Have you ever wanted to do anything else besides play tennis?
MARAT SAFIN: I mean, to quit tennis and to do something else?
Q. Or when you were growing up, did you want to do something else?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. But, you know, you have to see from other side. Of course, you can find work to do, like not only tennis. But it's difficult. It's difficult to push yourself because you are already playing tennis since you are six, and I'm already 22. So it's like I'm playing for long time. And if I want to learn to do something else, I need to go back to school, I need to study, I need to spend the time with the lessons. I need to, you know, start again, start over, start zero, from the beginning. So I think it's better to keep on playing and do whatever I can do, and do whatever I like, which is play tennis. Yeah, but I like it. You know, just it's nice game. I think it's great.
Q. I read somewhere that your parents named you after the French revolution figure Jean-Paul Marat?
MARAT SAFIN: No, it's just a Muslim name. I think you know that I'm Muslim, you know, this religion. Yeah, that's why they call me because is Muslim name.
Q. Does the name mean something in Muslim?
MARAT SAFIN: Somebody told me, but I forget. I don't know. I don't know. Freedom. I don't know, something good for sure (laughter). Not French revolutionary. But I hope also because of him. Maybe because of him also. Maybe something it's a royalty (laughter).
Q. You mentioned that you're afraid to fly.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah.
Q. Does that affect your game at all?
MARAT SAFIN: No, it affects me. Not tennis, it affects myself. Every time I go in the plane, sometimes I'm too scared.
Q. Just added stress to the travel
. MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, is difficult. But I'm taking sleeping pills, so is okay.
Q. Tell me what Lleyton Hewitt is doing right now that he's established himself as the No. 1, even though he's not a dominant No. 1. What have you seen change in his game over the last couple of years?
MARAT SAFIN: Just that he's a big fighter. He's more - how would say - you know, during the year his average is very high. He doesn't have bad losses. Every tournament he plays, he makes something. Instead of other guys, we can play great tennis, but sometimes we have such a bad losses, for example, I don't know. You have like second round a few times in a row. And he doesn't make this. He's very stable during all the year. That's what he has.
Q. Tell me about his groundstrokes and so forth. Is his game consistency?
MARAT SAFIN: Consistency, yeah, yeah. You are right.
Q. Are his groundstrokes the best in the game? Are Agassi's better?
MARAT SAFIN: Can you bring it again?
Q. His forehand and backhand, do you think are they the best in tennis or is there someone better?
MARAT SAFIN: No, I think -- Hewitt, what is good, his complete game. He has everything, you know. But he doesn't have the best forehand. The best forehand, I don't know who has at the moment. Ferrero maybe. Federer I think is the best forehand. One-hand backhand type thing is Kuerten. Tommy Haas is great backhand, one-hand. And two-hands backhand I think Kafelnikov, Agassi. And how to say this one? The Russian one, doesn't have a bad one also. What is his name, the young one, the tall one? This guy, you know (laughter)?
Q. I'm not sure which player that is.
MARAT SAFIN: The one not playing too bad. He beat once Sampras in the finals of US Open. Do you know him (laughter)? Safin, maybe Safin? I mean, I don't know, I consider myself I don't have a bad backhand. Not super, but I'm working on it.
Q. What do you think about the fact that there isn't a dominant player in tennis? Some people would say the game is as balanced now as ever. What do you think the reasons for that are? Why isn't anyone able to dominate nowadays?
MARAT SAFIN: Because everybody can play tennis and everybody just -- everybody can play, everybody. Means not only Top 10 players, they can play tennis. Means that the level of the guys like out of Top 10 is very high. That is the reason.
Q. Do you foresee anyone could get to a level where they can do what Sampras did for five years in a row?
MARAT SAFIN: I think now is a stage of being more -- the tennis has to be more equal. Of course, is going to be the guy that come up with something huge. I mean, it goes by times, you know. So I think it will be a few years like this, then it's going to come back the big guy going to come and he going to kick our ass big time.
Q. Could you be that guy?
MARAT SAFIN: I will be too old already for this (laughter). But I'm trying. I'm trying. But it's difficult. I'm trying hard, believe me.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
Re: Re: Re: Marat Interviews
Marat Safin Expects A Family
Beautiful Safin expects a family and desiring good health than fame & wealth.
Picture this: A family-man holding a bottle of beer in one hand and a baby in another. A tall and handsome Russian tennis player. In which image will Safin look more attractive to you? It is not bull. Safin, a giant who is now 21 and 6 feet 4 in height, seems pretty much enjoy drinking the Qingdao beer (a local beer's brand name) during his stay in Hong Kong and says it is as good as the famous beer he drinks in the foreign countries. Safin says he likes kids so much and will give birth to two at least.
Reporter: Everybody agrees you are good looking. Which part do you think you look the greatest? Do you think the fans like you due to your appearance?
Safin: I think the fans like me because I play pretty good. I don't know if I'm good looking, you know, I'm a man and I don't always look into the mirror (Safin gazes at me [the reporter] and oh, I am almost electrified), and I don't care much about how I look by the way.
Reporter: How are you going to rank the following: Family, tennis, friends, girlfriend, beer.
Safin: (Safin looks at Sylvia who sits quite far apart at once and then smiles) My girlfriend is here, I can't say she is not number one. Actually, Family is number one, including my girlfriend, friends then, tennis, and beer the last.
Reporter: Do you drink beer everyday? You are not afraid of having getting pumped?
Safin: (undoubtedly) Yep, Qingdao beer, I drink it almost everyday, I like its taste. I am not easy to getting fat.
Reporter: Have you got any plans to get married? And how many children do you want to have?
Safin: I'll maybe get married at 23, maybe 25, or even 30 or 35, I can't say when I should get married. I won't get married until I feel I would like to, which means I am ready to be a father. I like children so much that I think I am going to have at least 2 children. However, it is not good to have the life I have now (running around the world to play tennis) when I have children, so I must think carefully in advance.
Reporter: You knew Anna Kournikova when you two are still young. Kournikova now earns a lot apart from playing tennis. As beautiful as you are, have you ever thought to follow her footsteps?
Safin: Boys and girls are different. Girls can easily be the people's focus because of how beautiful they are, and there are not many beautiful women tennis players after all. But there are many charming guys in the men's tennis world, look at Rafter, Philippoussis and Haas. I have earned enough from playing tennis and it is unnecessary to find other stuff to do apart from this. I don't feel like doing ads, making films or some kind of self-promotion. There used to be people asking me to do these things in Moscow but I declined them. Fans can go to the tennis courts supporting me if they want to see me.
Reporter: Fame and wealth, which is more important to you?
Safin: Neither compared to good health. I have been injured which makes me learn how important it is to have good health. Without a healthy body, how can I earn fame and wealth from tennis?
Reporter: Many people say you are the successor of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. Whose successor would you want to be? Pete or Andre?
Safin: I think "Successor of Sampras" is more applicable to me since both of us are low-profiled. You can see Agassi on TV and magazines while Sampras only concentrates on playing tennis.
Source: Apple Daily, Hong Kong
Marat Safin Expects A Family
Beautiful Safin expects a family and desiring good health than fame & wealth.
Picture this: A family-man holding a bottle of beer in one hand and a baby in another. A tall and handsome Russian tennis player. In which image will Safin look more attractive to you? It is not bull. Safin, a giant who is now 21 and 6 feet 4 in height, seems pretty much enjoy drinking the Qingdao beer (a local beer's brand name) during his stay in Hong Kong and says it is as good as the famous beer he drinks in the foreign countries. Safin says he likes kids so much and will give birth to two at least.
Reporter: Everybody agrees you are good looking. Which part do you think you look the greatest? Do you think the fans like you due to your appearance?
Safin: I think the fans like me because I play pretty good. I don't know if I'm good looking, you know, I'm a man and I don't always look into the mirror (Safin gazes at me [the reporter] and oh, I am almost electrified), and I don't care much about how I look by the way.
Reporter: How are you going to rank the following: Family, tennis, friends, girlfriend, beer.
Safin: (Safin looks at Sylvia who sits quite far apart at once and then smiles) My girlfriend is here, I can't say she is not number one. Actually, Family is number one, including my girlfriend, friends then, tennis, and beer the last.
Reporter: Do you drink beer everyday? You are not afraid of having getting pumped?
Safin: (undoubtedly) Yep, Qingdao beer, I drink it almost everyday, I like its taste. I am not easy to getting fat.
Reporter: Have you got any plans to get married? And how many children do you want to have?
Safin: I'll maybe get married at 23, maybe 25, or even 30 or 35, I can't say when I should get married. I won't get married until I feel I would like to, which means I am ready to be a father. I like children so much that I think I am going to have at least 2 children. However, it is not good to have the life I have now (running around the world to play tennis) when I have children, so I must think carefully in advance.
Reporter: You knew Anna Kournikova when you two are still young. Kournikova now earns a lot apart from playing tennis. As beautiful as you are, have you ever thought to follow her footsteps?
Safin: Boys and girls are different. Girls can easily be the people's focus because of how beautiful they are, and there are not many beautiful women tennis players after all. But there are many charming guys in the men's tennis world, look at Rafter, Philippoussis and Haas. I have earned enough from playing tennis and it is unnecessary to find other stuff to do apart from this. I don't feel like doing ads, making films or some kind of self-promotion. There used to be people asking me to do these things in Moscow but I declined them. Fans can go to the tennis courts supporting me if they want to see me.
Reporter: Fame and wealth, which is more important to you?
Safin: Neither compared to good health. I have been injured which makes me learn how important it is to have good health. Without a healthy body, how can I earn fame and wealth from tennis?
Reporter: Many people say you are the successor of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. Whose successor would you want to be? Pete or Andre?
Safin: I think "Successor of Sampras" is more applicable to me since both of us are low-profiled. You can see Agassi on TV and magazines while Sampras only concentrates on playing tennis.
Source: Apple Daily, Hong Kong
Re: Re: Marat Interviews
here we go Sis
Maxim Magazine
September 2003
by Tatiana Oleynik
Marat Safin never asked the eternal question:" Why do I exist in this world? "
From his childhood years he knew exactly what he was made for - in order to overcome pain and fury, and to run around a green court, chasing after a yellow ball. He became a top sports star, the guest of kings and Presidents, the permanent hero of telecasts and the dream of millions of girls worldwide. But was this enough to make him feel like he has succeeded in life? - Even Marat doesn't know yet.
So here is a conversation with the tennis-player about bananas, car thieves, and the leader of the world proletariat.
" Safin lifestyle " - what is that?
I do not have a [ lifestyle] concept. [ I live by ]The word of honor.
So lets use this conversation to find out. Do you have any philosophical concept of a supernatural existence?
Probably, there is [something] - somewhere. I will look deeper when I need to at a convenient time.
If I was Marat Safin, then each morning when I woke up I would say:" Thanks, Lord, for the fact that I am Marat Safin ". Do you do that?
No. I say:" Thanks for the fact that I had parents, who selected a profession for me. Thanks for the coaches, who taught me everything that I know.Thanks for sponsors, who believed in me ".
Doesn't this heavy load of appreciation oppress you?
No. Finally I realised that there were many forces who came together at the beginning to make me who I am.
Tell me honestly - do you love tennis? Does the game itself still please you? - or are you tired of it?
In my opinion everyone should take pleasure out of what they do for as long as they can.
Especially, if you do well at it. Did you actually play since you were five months old?
No, certainly not. This crazy myth arose after my mom - an excellent tennis player herself and a good trainer - she described in an interview that she took me on court, because there was no-one to babysit me. I wasn't taught tennis until later - from about the age of five. And I didn't show any special ability, by the way, since I really did not want play tennis.
If you had not become a tennis-player - what would you have done?
It always seems to me a pointless thing - to sit and to think: 'what would happen, if life had turned out differently?' Well, I would not be a tennis-player - I would have become a football player. Probably, a bad one. Or I would be involved in business? In any event, I wouldn't be me, but some other man with an entirely different fate.
By the way, about fate. I look at you: you are twenty three years old, you are beautiful, rich in success - a world star. Through such an impression, it would seem there is nothing left to wish for. Is it not boring to live, having done so much? Is there no feeling, that there is nothing thing more to strive for, to want, nowhere to aim?
I hate this term:" star ". Stars - they are in space, just large spheres of heated gas. But me - I'm Marat Safin, a normal person, with problems, pleasures and troubles. What does it mean - " nothing left to want "? Naturally, I want to be the number one again.
Yes but you've already achieved that - where do you go now?
Again, become the number one. Do it again and again. This is life in sport - to constantly win in order to feel happy.
Well, are there other things that please you? - Things that have nothing in common with the racket and the balls?
Certainly. I love life in general - with all its elements. Simply, I treat them without fanaticism.
And what is your present pleasure? Give us specifics. In the casino, for example, do you love to risk things? As a person, who lives frequently in Monte Carlo, you are obliged to visit the gambling institutions...
I go sometimes - but not for the game, but when I am meeting with friends. The last time I played was a year and a half ago.
And did you lose a million?
I won five hundred dollars. Then three days in a row, I ate supper in restaurants with the pleasant thought, that I was eating for free.
You love to eat well?
That's not the right word. But for me it is constantly necessary to observe a diet.
Yes, I know that the tennis-players eat bananas - around the courts there's always bananas. You've probably exhausted an entire plantation of these fruits?
Bananas? I hate them! I was overfed them as a child. No, but I do love a good borsch, beetroot soup, cutlets - with fried potatoes, garlic.
What else do you like? Nice cars?
I admit it.
To press the gas pedal to the floor at the speed of 300 km an hour?
Well no, this pleasure is for those who want to become organ donors. I'm not ready to give my benefit to these people yet; therefore I drive accurately. But good cars please me - and who doesn't love good cars?
Once, your BMW was stolen. If they are reading this interview, what would you like to say to them?
Guys, since you had chance to take the car and not get caught, then I hope that it gives you happiness. Let someone get pleasure from this situation.
Are you always so kind and generous?
I'm not very generous - I don't make enough money to send gifts to strangers. But I love to give gifts to people close to me.
For example, to women?
For example, by them.
You love women in general?
Very much.
All women?
I sincerely believe that all women are excellent - each in their own way. No two in the world are the same.
Therefore to stay with just one is not possible?
Don't put someone elses strange ideas in my mouth. On the contrary, I consider that it is the perfect ideal when you find the one, and I hope that this will happen to me.
And what type of woman will have the best chance with you - a fellow celebrity?
Famous girls don't interest me particularly.
You do know that in this edition of Maxim number you will be included in a " fashioncollection " with Anna Kournikova? She will be on the cover of the periodical, and you will be in the fashion section.
It is good, I have nothing against Anna. We, by the way, were in the same sports school together.
Did you pull her by the plaits?
No, even then she was well-known, so she was more likely to be pushed by her crowd of friends!
So her plaits were reliably protected from you?
Yes I didn't want to hurt her.
Does that mean, you will search for yourself a simple and modest girl, simply a very beautiful girl?
Why " very beautiful "? Beauty - this not the most important thing, it's the basic character of a woman [that's important]
But in what essence?
In her soul, in her nature, in her mind.
Do clever women scare you?
No. I try to read alot.
And what are you reading?
Lenin's Biography.
Why?
I'm interested in the phenomenon - he was this weak, small person but he knew how to impose his will on millions of people.
......who never held a racket in his hands.
This indeed is a gift - to subordinate itself to those surroundings. A very special talent.
Where do you have more fans - in Russia or in Europe?
Here, in Russia.
People often approach you on the streets, in the cafe? Does this irritate you?
On the whole, no. True, it's unpleasant, when you sit in a restaurant, for example, with friends, and toward you suddenly charges a complete stranger and he begins to recite a lecture: " here you did this incorrectly, and on the return he was weakened, but in the last set you did not know how to be focussed? "
And what did you do? Stand up and argue with him?
No. I said " thanks alot, next time I will try to play better "
You have an iron endurance.
You learn to live with it. But someone on the street often approaches you and begins:" You are Safin ? No, really- Safin? No, sorry, you are just similar to Safin." Therefore, when they ask me, who I am, usually I say that I'm a cousin or brother of Safin.
This proves that you are modest?
It's very foolish to prove what you are. But life is too short to waste it on trifles.
here we go Sis
Maxim Magazine
September 2003
by Tatiana Oleynik
Marat Safin never asked the eternal question:" Why do I exist in this world? "
From his childhood years he knew exactly what he was made for - in order to overcome pain and fury, and to run around a green court, chasing after a yellow ball. He became a top sports star, the guest of kings and Presidents, the permanent hero of telecasts and the dream of millions of girls worldwide. But was this enough to make him feel like he has succeeded in life? - Even Marat doesn't know yet.
So here is a conversation with the tennis-player about bananas, car thieves, and the leader of the world proletariat.
" Safin lifestyle " - what is that?
I do not have a [ lifestyle] concept. [ I live by ]The word of honor.
So lets use this conversation to find out. Do you have any philosophical concept of a supernatural existence?
Probably, there is [something] - somewhere. I will look deeper when I need to at a convenient time.
If I was Marat Safin, then each morning when I woke up I would say:" Thanks, Lord, for the fact that I am Marat Safin ". Do you do that?
No. I say:" Thanks for the fact that I had parents, who selected a profession for me. Thanks for the coaches, who taught me everything that I know.Thanks for sponsors, who believed in me ".
Doesn't this heavy load of appreciation oppress you?
No. Finally I realised that there were many forces who came together at the beginning to make me who I am.
Tell me honestly - do you love tennis? Does the game itself still please you? - or are you tired of it?
In my opinion everyone should take pleasure out of what they do for as long as they can.
Especially, if you do well at it. Did you actually play since you were five months old?
No, certainly not. This crazy myth arose after my mom - an excellent tennis player herself and a good trainer - she described in an interview that she took me on court, because there was no-one to babysit me. I wasn't taught tennis until later - from about the age of five. And I didn't show any special ability, by the way, since I really did not want play tennis.
If you had not become a tennis-player - what would you have done?
It always seems to me a pointless thing - to sit and to think: 'what would happen, if life had turned out differently?' Well, I would not be a tennis-player - I would have become a football player. Probably, a bad one. Or I would be involved in business? In any event, I wouldn't be me, but some other man with an entirely different fate.
By the way, about fate. I look at you: you are twenty three years old, you are beautiful, rich in success - a world star. Through such an impression, it would seem there is nothing left to wish for. Is it not boring to live, having done so much? Is there no feeling, that there is nothing thing more to strive for, to want, nowhere to aim?
I hate this term:" star ". Stars - they are in space, just large spheres of heated gas. But me - I'm Marat Safin, a normal person, with problems, pleasures and troubles. What does it mean - " nothing left to want "? Naturally, I want to be the number one again.
Yes but you've already achieved that - where do you go now?
Again, become the number one. Do it again and again. This is life in sport - to constantly win in order to feel happy.
Well, are there other things that please you? - Things that have nothing in common with the racket and the balls?
Certainly. I love life in general - with all its elements. Simply, I treat them without fanaticism.
And what is your present pleasure? Give us specifics. In the casino, for example, do you love to risk things? As a person, who lives frequently in Monte Carlo, you are obliged to visit the gambling institutions...
I go sometimes - but not for the game, but when I am meeting with friends. The last time I played was a year and a half ago.
And did you lose a million?
I won five hundred dollars. Then three days in a row, I ate supper in restaurants with the pleasant thought, that I was eating for free.
You love to eat well?
That's not the right word. But for me it is constantly necessary to observe a diet.
Yes, I know that the tennis-players eat bananas - around the courts there's always bananas. You've probably exhausted an entire plantation of these fruits?
Bananas? I hate them! I was overfed them as a child. No, but I do love a good borsch, beetroot soup, cutlets - with fried potatoes, garlic.
What else do you like? Nice cars?
I admit it.
To press the gas pedal to the floor at the speed of 300 km an hour?
Well no, this pleasure is for those who want to become organ donors. I'm not ready to give my benefit to these people yet; therefore I drive accurately. But good cars please me - and who doesn't love good cars?
Once, your BMW was stolen. If they are reading this interview, what would you like to say to them?
Guys, since you had chance to take the car and not get caught, then I hope that it gives you happiness. Let someone get pleasure from this situation.
Are you always so kind and generous?
I'm not very generous - I don't make enough money to send gifts to strangers. But I love to give gifts to people close to me.
For example, to women?
For example, by them.
You love women in general?
Very much.
All women?
I sincerely believe that all women are excellent - each in their own way. No two in the world are the same.
Therefore to stay with just one is not possible?
Don't put someone elses strange ideas in my mouth. On the contrary, I consider that it is the perfect ideal when you find the one, and I hope that this will happen to me.
And what type of woman will have the best chance with you - a fellow celebrity?
Famous girls don't interest me particularly.
You do know that in this edition of Maxim number you will be included in a " fashioncollection " with Anna Kournikova? She will be on the cover of the periodical, and you will be in the fashion section.
It is good, I have nothing against Anna. We, by the way, were in the same sports school together.
Did you pull her by the plaits?
No, even then she was well-known, so she was more likely to be pushed by her crowd of friends!
So her plaits were reliably protected from you?
Yes I didn't want to hurt her.
Does that mean, you will search for yourself a simple and modest girl, simply a very beautiful girl?
Why " very beautiful "? Beauty - this not the most important thing, it's the basic character of a woman [that's important]
But in what essence?
In her soul, in her nature, in her mind.
Do clever women scare you?
No. I try to read alot.
And what are you reading?
Lenin's Biography.
Why?
I'm interested in the phenomenon - he was this weak, small person but he knew how to impose his will on millions of people.
......who never held a racket in his hands.
This indeed is a gift - to subordinate itself to those surroundings. A very special talent.
Where do you have more fans - in Russia or in Europe?
Here, in Russia.
People often approach you on the streets, in the cafe? Does this irritate you?
On the whole, no. True, it's unpleasant, when you sit in a restaurant, for example, with friends, and toward you suddenly charges a complete stranger and he begins to recite a lecture: " here you did this incorrectly, and on the return he was weakened, but in the last set you did not know how to be focussed? "
And what did you do? Stand up and argue with him?
No. I said " thanks alot, next time I will try to play better "
You have an iron endurance.
You learn to live with it. But someone on the street often approaches you and begins:" You are Safin ? No, really- Safin? No, sorry, you are just similar to Safin." Therefore, when they ask me, who I am, usually I say that I'm a cousin or brother of Safin.
This proves that you are modest?
It's very foolish to prove what you are. But life is too short to waste it on trifles.
I love that interview..Marat is SUCH a quote machine lol!every line in there is a gem! Thanks Andrea
Re: Re: Marat Interviews
PACIFIC LIFE OPEN
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA
March 10, 2003
M. SAFIN/S. Koubek
3-6, 6-3, 7-5
An interview with:
MARAT SAFIN
MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. You seem to have lost it two or three times, yet you hung in and won. How did you do that?
MARAT SAFIN: Excuse me?
Q. You were on the ropes about two or three times, coming back in the third set from breaks down. What did you go through mentally to get yourself back?
MARAT SAFIN: No, just I couldn't fight. I played the first set, I had two breakpoints in the first and opening game, and then unfortunately I couldn't make a break, then a little bit I lost the game first set. Then I came back in the second. He just threw everything out, he was missing all over. And in third set, he was playing his great tennis, I think. He was going for the shots, and that I didn't expect. That's why I make -- you have to wait for an extra ball, but a really tough one, because he was going from all over the court - just down the lines, forehand, backhand. He was playing great, and he was serving well. Just in the third set, when I was 3-Love down, I knew that I have a chance because he cannot play this type of game, you know, for a long time. Until it gets really -- until the end of the match, he probably will miss all these shots. And he did, then he start to play a little bit slower, he was not going for too much, he was missing. So that's how I won. I stayed in there.
Q. Are you a player that plays better or worse when emotion and exterior things going on with calls and crowd; are you a player that plays better or worse in those situations?
MARAT SAFIN: The thing is, you get upset when you can say that the calls are like -- you know for sure the ball is out and they're telling you it is in, and you get upset. Today it worked.
Q. Are you able to use that?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, it gives you a little bit energy because also I'm coming here, playing tennis, not just to fight with the chair umpire. But still it's pissing me off when it's so many -- not so many mistakes, it's mistakes on important moments of the match, and like you just trying to hang in there in the match, and you're waiting for the mistakes from your opponent, and still they make mistakes on the calls. I understand that they're people, they're human beings, but still I got upset. But it worked, otherwise I don't think I would be able to react in the third set. That's why I came out with such a --.
Q. What was the nature of your injury? You called the trainer in the third set.
MARAT SAFIN: I had a big hole on the shoe.
Q. You had a hole in your shoe?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I broke the shoe. I had a hole. Like when I was sliding, I was -- I had a cut on my skin and I couldn't slide anymore.
Q. It was on your left foot?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, left.
Q. Did you just make that hole in your shoe in that match, or have you been wearing that shoe for a while?
MARAT SAFIN: No, in that match.
Q. Sounds like you might have called a shoemaker instead of a trainer.
MARAT SAFIN: Easier to call a trainer than a shoemaker.
Q. You got the code violation for what reason? Taking too long? Verbal abuse?
MARAT SAFIN: Verbal abuse.
Q. Do you want to tell us what you said to him?
MARAT SAFIN: No, you don't have to know.
Q. Can you explain why you felt you still had a chance to win when you were down 3-Love?
MARAT SAFIN: Because I had this feeling , because he was playing such a great match - he was focused, he was playing - I just said he was going sometimes for too much, I understand. It worked - down the line, passing shots, serves. You know, he made me unbelievable wide second serve ace. So it's these kind of things. But you have to really understand tennis to see that. I knew that he will not be able to make it when the score will be 4-3 or 5-3, you know, and he has to finish the match, then will start the problems. At the beginning of the third set, he was playing great because he was not under pressure. But the problem is, the problems are coming when you have to close the match, then you start to thinking, "What I'm going to do now? If I will not go for too much, you'll give my ball back, it's like long rally. What should I do? Should I go to the net, risk it or not?" This guy, these kind of things in his head, help me. I just had to stay in the match. I just try to hold my serve. Even I was a break down, he would give me the opportunities to come back. That's what I did.
Q. How was your health coming into this tournament? I know you had health problems earlier this year.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I've been injured twice. I came back like three weeks ago in Rotterdam, but I was a little bit out of shape because I had no rhythm - I didn't play for three weeks. I didn't touch the racquet even. It's difficult to come back straightaway and try to play your best tennis. It never works. I was like serving for the match against Kafelnikov, couldn't make it. I was a break up in Dubai against Robredo. I lost 7-6 in the third. I was playing great tennis, but I couldn't finish the match, something was missing. So I a little bit lost my confidence. That's why this first match I was a little bit nervous about my game. That's why I was missing all over the court first set. And the third, I didn't play my best, best tennis. But at the end, I came back and I was playing great. I was quite confident. When I made a break in the third set, you know, it was 4-2, I made 4-3. You have to put a lot of balls in, just sometimes to go to the net or risk it. If you want to win, you have to risk sometimes, you have to take the risk. You cannot play a hundred percent sure and just win a match. It doesn't work. That's not my style and it's not my game.
Q. Been a couple years now since you beat Pete Sampras in the US Open final. Have you played a match since then that good? Have you played that level since then? A lot, little, not at all?
MARAT SAFIN: Every player on ATP, just in all the other sports, every single player has this kind of day that you will wake up in the morning, whatever you will do, it will be perfect. Against Pete, it was this kind of a day. Like everything I would do was perfect. I couldn't miss the ball. Even if I will try to miss a ball, I couldn't miss it. I was happy it was exactly this day, like on Sunday against Pete Sampras in finals of the US Open. To beat Pete like straight sets in the first Grand Slam final, that's really tough. I don't know if it happen again to me. For example, in Australia, I couldn't make it. But hopefully is not my last final of a Grand Slam. But it definitely will not be the same like against Pete.
Q. So it never really has happened again to you on that level?
MARAT SAFIN: No. I'm still hoping and I'm believing one day it will come.
Q. In that match, you only made like four errors. Isn't it a little bit frustrating to be as young as you are and you're likely never to come to that point again?
MARAT SAFIN: Frustrating? Why frustrating? Why I have to be frustrating? Why?
Q. I don't know.
MARAT SAFIN: You just said it's frustrating, it was frustrating. Why are you saying it's frustrating? What, I look bad? I look like injured, I'm disgusting, playing terrible tennis? I'm 23 years old. I've been No. 1 in the world. I won a Grand Slam. I was in the final of a Grand Slam. Last year I won Davis Cup, which is not bad. 11 titles. Two or even three Masters Series. Another four finals, I think. It's not so bad. I have a really great career. There's some other kids, you know, same age as me, they couldn't win a Grand Slam, being in a final. So just making -- it doesn't make any sense, frustrating. Frustrating would be like if I will drop to top 200 and never will be able to come back. I'm still Top 10. Okay, maybe is not my best shape at the beginning of the year because I was injured. But still there is a lot of time coming. You know, is not the end of the world. And I'm having a great time being here and playing tennis. Is the most important thing.
Q. How close are you do you think to getting back to your game after all the injuries?
MARAT SAFIN: It takes time. It takes really a lot of time. You know, to play great tennis, you need to be perfect. You need to have confidence. The confidence is coming with playing these kind of matches. If you're not been playing really great tennis, you have to struggle, you have to run for two and a half hours all around the court, just run and run. These kind of matches help you to get the confidence back. Once you get the confidence back, then you can find your game and then you can win a big tournaments. It's how it works. So hopefully it can be this week. If will not be this week, it will be next week. There is always another week. Hopefully it will come soon because I would like to -- I would like to get my game back really soon so I will be able to fight to be No. 1 in the world. Why not? I'm still there. I'm still young. I can make it.
Q. With the disappointment because of the injuries at the start of this year, have you set yourself any specific target, goal, tournament that you want to win to make up for things?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, for me I'll be totally satisfied if I would win French Open. That's my goal. Forget about No. 1 in the world. It comes with the tournaments. If you win tournaments, then you can think about No. 1 in the world. Definitely you cannot think about it if you didn't win a tournament this year. I didn't, so I cannot think about this. I'm thinking about how to get my confidence back and how to win my first tournament of the year. So then I can just get another tournament, another tournament, another tournament, so I can get prepared for the Grand Slam. It's pretty soon. It's like in two months. We're already in the middle of the season. Then you can see what it makes. But I would love to win French Open. That's my goal.
Q. What about Wimbledon? There are maybe 10 guys left in the world who can serve and volley.
MARAT SAFIN: It doesn't work anymore serve and volley, as you can see, on grass. There is not natural serve and volleyer anymore.
Q. It doesn't work anymore?
MARAT SAFIN: No, because there is no more natural serve and volleyer like Pete, like Edberg, like Becker. There is no more.
Q. You don't think you're a natural serve and volleyer?
MARAT SAFIN: Jesus, that's a really compliment. I'm working on that, but I'm really not. I'm more a baseliner who can finish with a volley.
Q. With a serve like that?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. I cannot have it all. I'm working on that, but it takes time. But still I have a few years to improve it.
Q. What about Krajicek, he won Wimbledon serve and volley. He's still hanging around.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, you can. But in every tournament you need to pass the first rounds. That's what gives you the real confidence. If I will be able to pass the first rounds in Wimbledon, I can adjust my game to the Wimbledon. Definitely, of course, you will not be able to win -- a player like me, I cannot win Wimbledon just staying on the baseline like Lleyton did. Of course, I will have to go to the net and put pressure on the return, try to make it more serve and volley eventually. But I cannot make it all the time serve and volley. Say I serve twice, I go to the net, sometimes I stay back, go to the net, so the guy is a little bit confused. That's my game.
Q. Wouldn't you put Philippoussis in there?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, but he doesn't use it. He has great volley, great serve, great motion, but he doesn't use it. I don't know, sometimes he stays on the baseline. He should have go -- he should go for the volley. He has great technique. He has balance. He has perfect serve. You know, he's tall, he's huge, he has long arms, he can do everything. He doesn't use it.
Q. You didn't like a lot of the calls today. Do you think they should use instant replay with the chair umpire?
MARAT SAFIN: No, it's okay. Everybody makes mistakes. That moment you get pissed because you know you want to win, it's not going your way. You know even if the ball is out, they call you in. You just get frustrated, that's it. You cannot blame the people who are just the linesmens. But sometimes, you know, you should a little bit pay more attention, you know, because it's always a mark.
Q. You're okay with the human element, mistakes?
MARAT SAFIN: Everybody makes mistakes. It can go my way, it can go his way. Today it went a little bit his way. Tomorrow it will be my way.
End of FastScripts….
PACIFIC LIFE OPEN
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA
March 10, 2003
M. SAFIN/S. Koubek
3-6, 6-3, 7-5
An interview with:
MARAT SAFIN
MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. You seem to have lost it two or three times, yet you hung in and won. How did you do that?
MARAT SAFIN: Excuse me?
Q. You were on the ropes about two or three times, coming back in the third set from breaks down. What did you go through mentally to get yourself back?
MARAT SAFIN: No, just I couldn't fight. I played the first set, I had two breakpoints in the first and opening game, and then unfortunately I couldn't make a break, then a little bit I lost the game first set. Then I came back in the second. He just threw everything out, he was missing all over. And in third set, he was playing his great tennis, I think. He was going for the shots, and that I didn't expect. That's why I make -- you have to wait for an extra ball, but a really tough one, because he was going from all over the court - just down the lines, forehand, backhand. He was playing great, and he was serving well. Just in the third set, when I was 3-Love down, I knew that I have a chance because he cannot play this type of game, you know, for a long time. Until it gets really -- until the end of the match, he probably will miss all these shots. And he did, then he start to play a little bit slower, he was not going for too much, he was missing. So that's how I won. I stayed in there.
Q. Are you a player that plays better or worse when emotion and exterior things going on with calls and crowd; are you a player that plays better or worse in those situations?
MARAT SAFIN: The thing is, you get upset when you can say that the calls are like -- you know for sure the ball is out and they're telling you it is in, and you get upset. Today it worked.
Q. Are you able to use that?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, it gives you a little bit energy because also I'm coming here, playing tennis, not just to fight with the chair umpire. But still it's pissing me off when it's so many -- not so many mistakes, it's mistakes on important moments of the match, and like you just trying to hang in there in the match, and you're waiting for the mistakes from your opponent, and still they make mistakes on the calls. I understand that they're people, they're human beings, but still I got upset. But it worked, otherwise I don't think I would be able to react in the third set. That's why I came out with such a --.
Q. What was the nature of your injury? You called the trainer in the third set.
MARAT SAFIN: I had a big hole on the shoe.
Q. You had a hole in your shoe?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I broke the shoe. I had a hole. Like when I was sliding, I was -- I had a cut on my skin and I couldn't slide anymore.
Q. It was on your left foot?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, left.
Q. Did you just make that hole in your shoe in that match, or have you been wearing that shoe for a while?
MARAT SAFIN: No, in that match.
Q. Sounds like you might have called a shoemaker instead of a trainer.
MARAT SAFIN: Easier to call a trainer than a shoemaker.
Q. You got the code violation for what reason? Taking too long? Verbal abuse?
MARAT SAFIN: Verbal abuse.
Q. Do you want to tell us what you said to him?
MARAT SAFIN: No, you don't have to know.
Q. Can you explain why you felt you still had a chance to win when you were down 3-Love?
MARAT SAFIN: Because I had this feeling , because he was playing such a great match - he was focused, he was playing - I just said he was going sometimes for too much, I understand. It worked - down the line, passing shots, serves. You know, he made me unbelievable wide second serve ace. So it's these kind of things. But you have to really understand tennis to see that. I knew that he will not be able to make it when the score will be 4-3 or 5-3, you know, and he has to finish the match, then will start the problems. At the beginning of the third set, he was playing great because he was not under pressure. But the problem is, the problems are coming when you have to close the match, then you start to thinking, "What I'm going to do now? If I will not go for too much, you'll give my ball back, it's like long rally. What should I do? Should I go to the net, risk it or not?" This guy, these kind of things in his head, help me. I just had to stay in the match. I just try to hold my serve. Even I was a break down, he would give me the opportunities to come back. That's what I did.
Q. How was your health coming into this tournament? I know you had health problems earlier this year.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I've been injured twice. I came back like three weeks ago in Rotterdam, but I was a little bit out of shape because I had no rhythm - I didn't play for three weeks. I didn't touch the racquet even. It's difficult to come back straightaway and try to play your best tennis. It never works. I was like serving for the match against Kafelnikov, couldn't make it. I was a break up in Dubai against Robredo. I lost 7-6 in the third. I was playing great tennis, but I couldn't finish the match, something was missing. So I a little bit lost my confidence. That's why this first match I was a little bit nervous about my game. That's why I was missing all over the court first set. And the third, I didn't play my best, best tennis. But at the end, I came back and I was playing great. I was quite confident. When I made a break in the third set, you know, it was 4-2, I made 4-3. You have to put a lot of balls in, just sometimes to go to the net or risk it. If you want to win, you have to risk sometimes, you have to take the risk. You cannot play a hundred percent sure and just win a match. It doesn't work. That's not my style and it's not my game.
Q. Been a couple years now since you beat Pete Sampras in the US Open final. Have you played a match since then that good? Have you played that level since then? A lot, little, not at all?
MARAT SAFIN: Every player on ATP, just in all the other sports, every single player has this kind of day that you will wake up in the morning, whatever you will do, it will be perfect. Against Pete, it was this kind of a day. Like everything I would do was perfect. I couldn't miss the ball. Even if I will try to miss a ball, I couldn't miss it. I was happy it was exactly this day, like on Sunday against Pete Sampras in finals of the US Open. To beat Pete like straight sets in the first Grand Slam final, that's really tough. I don't know if it happen again to me. For example, in Australia, I couldn't make it. But hopefully is not my last final of a Grand Slam. But it definitely will not be the same like against Pete.
Q. So it never really has happened again to you on that level?
MARAT SAFIN: No. I'm still hoping and I'm believing one day it will come.
Q. In that match, you only made like four errors. Isn't it a little bit frustrating to be as young as you are and you're likely never to come to that point again?
MARAT SAFIN: Frustrating? Why frustrating? Why I have to be frustrating? Why?
Q. I don't know.
MARAT SAFIN: You just said it's frustrating, it was frustrating. Why are you saying it's frustrating? What, I look bad? I look like injured, I'm disgusting, playing terrible tennis? I'm 23 years old. I've been No. 1 in the world. I won a Grand Slam. I was in the final of a Grand Slam. Last year I won Davis Cup, which is not bad. 11 titles. Two or even three Masters Series. Another four finals, I think. It's not so bad. I have a really great career. There's some other kids, you know, same age as me, they couldn't win a Grand Slam, being in a final. So just making -- it doesn't make any sense, frustrating. Frustrating would be like if I will drop to top 200 and never will be able to come back. I'm still Top 10. Okay, maybe is not my best shape at the beginning of the year because I was injured. But still there is a lot of time coming. You know, is not the end of the world. And I'm having a great time being here and playing tennis. Is the most important thing.
Q. How close are you do you think to getting back to your game after all the injuries?
MARAT SAFIN: It takes time. It takes really a lot of time. You know, to play great tennis, you need to be perfect. You need to have confidence. The confidence is coming with playing these kind of matches. If you're not been playing really great tennis, you have to struggle, you have to run for two and a half hours all around the court, just run and run. These kind of matches help you to get the confidence back. Once you get the confidence back, then you can find your game and then you can win a big tournaments. It's how it works. So hopefully it can be this week. If will not be this week, it will be next week. There is always another week. Hopefully it will come soon because I would like to -- I would like to get my game back really soon so I will be able to fight to be No. 1 in the world. Why not? I'm still there. I'm still young. I can make it.
Q. With the disappointment because of the injuries at the start of this year, have you set yourself any specific target, goal, tournament that you want to win to make up for things?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, for me I'll be totally satisfied if I would win French Open. That's my goal. Forget about No. 1 in the world. It comes with the tournaments. If you win tournaments, then you can think about No. 1 in the world. Definitely you cannot think about it if you didn't win a tournament this year. I didn't, so I cannot think about this. I'm thinking about how to get my confidence back and how to win my first tournament of the year. So then I can just get another tournament, another tournament, another tournament, so I can get prepared for the Grand Slam. It's pretty soon. It's like in two months. We're already in the middle of the season. Then you can see what it makes. But I would love to win French Open. That's my goal.
Q. What about Wimbledon? There are maybe 10 guys left in the world who can serve and volley.
MARAT SAFIN: It doesn't work anymore serve and volley, as you can see, on grass. There is not natural serve and volleyer anymore.
Q. It doesn't work anymore?
MARAT SAFIN: No, because there is no more natural serve and volleyer like Pete, like Edberg, like Becker. There is no more.
Q. You don't think you're a natural serve and volleyer?
MARAT SAFIN: Jesus, that's a really compliment. I'm working on that, but I'm really not. I'm more a baseliner who can finish with a volley.
Q. With a serve like that?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. I cannot have it all. I'm working on that, but it takes time. But still I have a few years to improve it.
Q. What about Krajicek, he won Wimbledon serve and volley. He's still hanging around.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, you can. But in every tournament you need to pass the first rounds. That's what gives you the real confidence. If I will be able to pass the first rounds in Wimbledon, I can adjust my game to the Wimbledon. Definitely, of course, you will not be able to win -- a player like me, I cannot win Wimbledon just staying on the baseline like Lleyton did. Of course, I will have to go to the net and put pressure on the return, try to make it more serve and volley eventually. But I cannot make it all the time serve and volley. Say I serve twice, I go to the net, sometimes I stay back, go to the net, so the guy is a little bit confused. That's my game.
Q. Wouldn't you put Philippoussis in there?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, but he doesn't use it. He has great volley, great serve, great motion, but he doesn't use it. I don't know, sometimes he stays on the baseline. He should have go -- he should go for the volley. He has great technique. He has balance. He has perfect serve. You know, he's tall, he's huge, he has long arms, he can do everything. He doesn't use it.
Q. You didn't like a lot of the calls today. Do you think they should use instant replay with the chair umpire?
MARAT SAFIN: No, it's okay. Everybody makes mistakes. That moment you get pissed because you know you want to win, it's not going your way. You know even if the ball is out, they call you in. You just get frustrated, that's it. You cannot blame the people who are just the linesmens. But sometimes, you know, you should a little bit pay more attention, you know, because it's always a mark.
Q. You're okay with the human element, mistakes?
MARAT SAFIN: Everybody makes mistakes. It can go my way, it can go his way. Today it went a little bit his way. Tomorrow it will be my way.
End of FastScripts….
Re: Re: Re: Marat Interviews
PACIFIC LIFE OPEN
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA
March 12, 2003
M. SAFIN/M. Philippoussis
6-4, 6-3
An interview with:
MARAT SAFIN
MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. It seems you were more quiet on the court today?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. I had no power because I was actually very sick last night. I took some antibiotics. I'm feeling like a little bit weak. But just I try to stay focus and try to finish, try to do -- try to play a little bit faster, you know, like stay calm and try to concentrate from the first point, just play my game. I was successful.
Q. What were you sick with? Was it a flu?
MARAT SAFIN: Just sick from my stomach, throwing up, and I had fever last night. I had to take some antibiotics.
Q. And now it's better?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. But still I feel a little bit, you know, like I don't have too much energy. So I'm trying to survive.
Q. Do you think it was something you ate?
MARAT SAFIN: Probably. It cannot be from anything else.
Q. There's been a lot of talk about Pete's retirement. What do you think he's going to do? What do you feel? What would you do if you were in his place?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, but I don't know what he has in his brain. I mean, he's doing whatever he wants. Probably he doesn't want to play for the moment at all. I don't know. I cannot judge the guy who was the best player of all times, and the guy who won 14 Grand Slams. So I'm not the person to judge here. He has to do whatever he feels like. If he feels like playing, great. If he doesn't want to play, better for him.
Q. If you were ill, how were you able to play so well?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't know. Probably he didn't play his best match definitely. He was missing quite a lot of balls. I was focused. He's a kind of a guy that is not like you have to run a lot, you have to play a little bit more short points, try to -- just try to return his serve, don't let him to push you. He's not the kind of player like Hewitt where you have to run a long time and try to do something unbelievable strange. You have to play your game and try to just stay focused, that's it.
Q. You said the other day that your dream was to win Roland Garros, the French Open. What will you change in your preparation for the tournament? Are you going to play less tournaments or different?
MARAT SAFIN: You can't to change a lot. It's a little bit tough schedule. You have like three Masters Series in a month, and then I have to play. It's a good preparation to play Dusseldorf, because I know I have to practice, but it's a nice tournament to play. The same thing. Very important to stay focused from the first match you're playing at French Open, so you play less sets than other players. That's the main thing. Try to work out, you know, physically. Yeah, you have to be very good prepared physically. That's it. Try to prepare yourself mentally also for long matches and for these kind of like against really tough players, you have to be focused, be at your best shape.
Q. Are you being attended by a physician? Are you seeing a doctor for the problem you say you have?
MARAT SAFIN: No. I have a masseur, he's also a doctor. I had to take some antibiotics. Just cannot stay a long time in the heat, getting worse. But I'll be okay. I'm still young. My body can survive.
Q. In terms of your religious belief, are you of the Islamic faith?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah.
Q. Do you practice any of the rituals?
MARAT SAFIN: No, no.
Q. Were your parents Islamic?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. They don't practice either. Just my grandfather.
Q. Was he Russian?
MARAT SAFIN: No, he's not Russian. He's Islamic also, Muslim.
Q. Where did he come from, may I ask?
MARAT SAFIN: If I start to explain geographically, it will take a little bit longer. It's from part of Russia.
Q. Have you talked with Wayne Ferreira and Jeff Tarango about the association that the players want to build up around next week?
MARAT SAFIN: It's a little bit subject that I don't want to discuss. You will know. Anyway, you will know soon. But just is a thing that's a little bit private.
End of FastScripts….
PACIFIC LIFE OPEN
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA
March 12, 2003
M. SAFIN/M. Philippoussis
6-4, 6-3
An interview with:
MARAT SAFIN
MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. It seems you were more quiet on the court today?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. I had no power because I was actually very sick last night. I took some antibiotics. I'm feeling like a little bit weak. But just I try to stay focus and try to finish, try to do -- try to play a little bit faster, you know, like stay calm and try to concentrate from the first point, just play my game. I was successful.
Q. What were you sick with? Was it a flu?
MARAT SAFIN: Just sick from my stomach, throwing up, and I had fever last night. I had to take some antibiotics.
Q. And now it's better?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. But still I feel a little bit, you know, like I don't have too much energy. So I'm trying to survive.
Q. Do you think it was something you ate?
MARAT SAFIN: Probably. It cannot be from anything else.
Q. There's been a lot of talk about Pete's retirement. What do you think he's going to do? What do you feel? What would you do if you were in his place?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, but I don't know what he has in his brain. I mean, he's doing whatever he wants. Probably he doesn't want to play for the moment at all. I don't know. I cannot judge the guy who was the best player of all times, and the guy who won 14 Grand Slams. So I'm not the person to judge here. He has to do whatever he feels like. If he feels like playing, great. If he doesn't want to play, better for him.
Q. If you were ill, how were you able to play so well?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't know. Probably he didn't play his best match definitely. He was missing quite a lot of balls. I was focused. He's a kind of a guy that is not like you have to run a lot, you have to play a little bit more short points, try to -- just try to return his serve, don't let him to push you. He's not the kind of player like Hewitt where you have to run a long time and try to do something unbelievable strange. You have to play your game and try to just stay focused, that's it.
Q. You said the other day that your dream was to win Roland Garros, the French Open. What will you change in your preparation for the tournament? Are you going to play less tournaments or different?
MARAT SAFIN: You can't to change a lot. It's a little bit tough schedule. You have like three Masters Series in a month, and then I have to play. It's a good preparation to play Dusseldorf, because I know I have to practice, but it's a nice tournament to play. The same thing. Very important to stay focused from the first match you're playing at French Open, so you play less sets than other players. That's the main thing. Try to work out, you know, physically. Yeah, you have to be very good prepared physically. That's it. Try to prepare yourself mentally also for long matches and for these kind of like against really tough players, you have to be focused, be at your best shape.
Q. Are you being attended by a physician? Are you seeing a doctor for the problem you say you have?
MARAT SAFIN: No. I have a masseur, he's also a doctor. I had to take some antibiotics. Just cannot stay a long time in the heat, getting worse. But I'll be okay. I'm still young. My body can survive.
Q. In terms of your religious belief, are you of the Islamic faith?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah.
Q. Do you practice any of the rituals?
MARAT SAFIN: No, no.
Q. Were your parents Islamic?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. They don't practice either. Just my grandfather.
Q. Was he Russian?
MARAT SAFIN: No, he's not Russian. He's Islamic also, Muslim.
Q. Where did he come from, may I ask?
MARAT SAFIN: If I start to explain geographically, it will take a little bit longer. It's from part of Russia.
Q. Have you talked with Wayne Ferreira and Jeff Tarango about the association that the players want to build up around next week?
MARAT SAFIN: It's a little bit subject that I don't want to discuss. You will know. Anyway, you will know soon. But just is a thing that's a little bit private.
End of FastScripts….
Re: Re: Re: Re: Marat Interviews
2003 AUSTRALIAN OPEN
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
January 14, 2003
M. SAFIN/R. Sluiter
6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
An interview with:
MARAT SAFIN
MODERATOR: Questions for Marat.
Q. How was that out there today?
MARAT SAFIN: Tough. First match, you know, big tournament, third match of the year, so you're kind of nervous and you try to win in straight sets. You have a tough opponent. The guy can play great tennis. He beat Hewitt in Stockholm. But was okay, you know. Just I lost a little bit my concentration on second set, that's why I lost. But I knew what I have to do, and I came back. I think I played great third and fourth set - good enough to win.
Q. How do you feel with your shoulder? Do you feel it's going to come through okay?
MARAT SAFIN: I'm taking care of it. I'm taking some antiinflammatories, Vioxx. But it's okay. The pain is going away. It's much better, much better. Like next match I think will be perfect then.
Q. Have you thought anything about last year?
MARAT SAFIN: Last year is the history already. It was one year ago. The time is running. Is another chance, another year, another tournament. Just I would like to do the same thing. It's difficult because another year. You are not playing the same tennis. The other people are not playing the same tennis. The situation is difficult. But I'll be there. I'm still in the draw. I think I still have a great potential to do well here, and we'll see if I will be able to make it. Because other people, they also know how to play tennis. But I want to do well here, definitely. I will give all my best. I will try my best. It doesn't matter if I will play my great tennis, if I will play bad, but I will be there, I will be tough and I will give trouble to everybody, that's for sure. Then if I will win or I will lose, then it's just we'll see on the court.
Q. What was the biggest celebration or most enjoyable celebration after winning the Davis Cup?
MARAT SAFIN: It's tough. It's tough to celebrate straightaway because even we went out to the club, and from 12:00 that we got into the club until I think 3:00, I was signing autographs, so I didn't have any chance to celebrate at all. I was making pictures, I was doing everything, but definitely not taking care of myself.
Q. Were you signing autographs for pretty girls?
MARAT SAFIN: No, pretty boys I was signing.
Q. The court is supposed to be faster this year. Firstly, do you agree? Secondly, how much does that help you in winning the title?
MARAT SAFIN: It is definitely faster. Of course, the bounce is a little bit lower. It's good for my game. It's good for me. I'm really far from winning this tournament still. First I have to pass the first week. First it's difficult to pass the first round. Then you have to pass to the second week. Then, of course, is a matter of luck, just if you get your game, if you get your best shape, and then you can see. I will tell you if I have opportunity to win the tournament in the second week if I get there. Then I will see my chances, see if I'm playing great tennis or not, see how the other players are playing. But I'm sure I can do well. I'm sure. I hope also. I hope so. But it's good. It's good. The courts are -- I think for my game, they're really good.
Q. Are you surprised that Larsson is giving Hewitt a lot of problems?
MARAT SAFIN: He beat me last year, Larsson -- sorry, two years ago. He's a great player. He's I think one of the most talented players on tour. He's from old generation. He beat Sampras in Masters -- not the Masters, in Grand Slam Cup, in Munich there was a tournament, in the finals. It means he's a great player. He can give some trouble. He can be dangerous. Again, he have a good serve, good forehand, he can also play backhand, great volley. But for some reasons he didn't do well, didn't give his best to the tennis. I felt for me he was one of the best players on the world, definitely. He could be, I think, easily No. 1, but for some reasons he couldn't make it.
Q. Do you think Yevgeny, who said he was going to retire, you get upset, you try so hard to win the Davis Cup for him, then he says, "I'm going to keep playing"?
MARAT SAFIN: That is the question is everybody asking me, even the players. I think, my opinion, he just said that he wants to retire, but then he realized that what he's going to do after he will retired. For example, he's not playing any more tennis. What he has to do in Moscow, Russia, whatever country he is living in? It's difficult to find this new job or new thing, you know, to discover a new thing in your life because you have to change your life completely. You've been playing tennis since you are six, and suddenly you just want to change something. You need to prepare yourself. You need to see what you like, what you don't like, what you want to do, what you feel like doing. And then, of course, slowly you can leave tennis. But he has nothing to do. You know, the guy has been playing for tennis and he didn't prepare himself for the life after tennis. Of course, he found himself just he doesn't know what to do. So is the best thing to play tennis and try to prepare yourself for next life. I think he still can play few years, two years for sure. He's 29. Let's see how he's doing.
End of FastScripts….
2003 AUSTRALIAN OPEN
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
January 14, 2003
M. SAFIN/R. Sluiter
6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
An interview with:
MARAT SAFIN
MODERATOR: Questions for Marat.
Q. How was that out there today?
MARAT SAFIN: Tough. First match, you know, big tournament, third match of the year, so you're kind of nervous and you try to win in straight sets. You have a tough opponent. The guy can play great tennis. He beat Hewitt in Stockholm. But was okay, you know. Just I lost a little bit my concentration on second set, that's why I lost. But I knew what I have to do, and I came back. I think I played great third and fourth set - good enough to win.
Q. How do you feel with your shoulder? Do you feel it's going to come through okay?
MARAT SAFIN: I'm taking care of it. I'm taking some antiinflammatories, Vioxx. But it's okay. The pain is going away. It's much better, much better. Like next match I think will be perfect then.
Q. Have you thought anything about last year?
MARAT SAFIN: Last year is the history already. It was one year ago. The time is running. Is another chance, another year, another tournament. Just I would like to do the same thing. It's difficult because another year. You are not playing the same tennis. The other people are not playing the same tennis. The situation is difficult. But I'll be there. I'm still in the draw. I think I still have a great potential to do well here, and we'll see if I will be able to make it. Because other people, they also know how to play tennis. But I want to do well here, definitely. I will give all my best. I will try my best. It doesn't matter if I will play my great tennis, if I will play bad, but I will be there, I will be tough and I will give trouble to everybody, that's for sure. Then if I will win or I will lose, then it's just we'll see on the court.
Q. What was the biggest celebration or most enjoyable celebration after winning the Davis Cup?
MARAT SAFIN: It's tough. It's tough to celebrate straightaway because even we went out to the club, and from 12:00 that we got into the club until I think 3:00, I was signing autographs, so I didn't have any chance to celebrate at all. I was making pictures, I was doing everything, but definitely not taking care of myself.
Q. Were you signing autographs for pretty girls?
MARAT SAFIN: No, pretty boys I was signing.
Q. The court is supposed to be faster this year. Firstly, do you agree? Secondly, how much does that help you in winning the title?
MARAT SAFIN: It is definitely faster. Of course, the bounce is a little bit lower. It's good for my game. It's good for me. I'm really far from winning this tournament still. First I have to pass the first week. First it's difficult to pass the first round. Then you have to pass to the second week. Then, of course, is a matter of luck, just if you get your game, if you get your best shape, and then you can see. I will tell you if I have opportunity to win the tournament in the second week if I get there. Then I will see my chances, see if I'm playing great tennis or not, see how the other players are playing. But I'm sure I can do well. I'm sure. I hope also. I hope so. But it's good. It's good. The courts are -- I think for my game, they're really good.
Q. Are you surprised that Larsson is giving Hewitt a lot of problems?
MARAT SAFIN: He beat me last year, Larsson -- sorry, two years ago. He's a great player. He's I think one of the most talented players on tour. He's from old generation. He beat Sampras in Masters -- not the Masters, in Grand Slam Cup, in Munich there was a tournament, in the finals. It means he's a great player. He can give some trouble. He can be dangerous. Again, he have a good serve, good forehand, he can also play backhand, great volley. But for some reasons he didn't do well, didn't give his best to the tennis. I felt for me he was one of the best players on the world, definitely. He could be, I think, easily No. 1, but for some reasons he couldn't make it.
Q. Do you think Yevgeny, who said he was going to retire, you get upset, you try so hard to win the Davis Cup for him, then he says, "I'm going to keep playing"?
MARAT SAFIN: That is the question is everybody asking me, even the players. I think, my opinion, he just said that he wants to retire, but then he realized that what he's going to do after he will retired. For example, he's not playing any more tennis. What he has to do in Moscow, Russia, whatever country he is living in? It's difficult to find this new job or new thing, you know, to discover a new thing in your life because you have to change your life completely. You've been playing tennis since you are six, and suddenly you just want to change something. You need to prepare yourself. You need to see what you like, what you don't like, what you want to do, what you feel like doing. And then, of course, slowly you can leave tennis. But he has nothing to do. You know, the guy has been playing for tennis and he didn't prepare himself for the life after tennis. Of course, he found himself just he doesn't know what to do. So is the best thing to play tennis and try to prepare yourself for next life. I think he still can play few years, two years for sure. He's 29. Let's see how he's doing.
End of FastScripts….
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Marat Interviews
2000 U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Flushing Meadows, New York
September 10, 2000
M. SAFIN/P. Sampras
6-4, 6-3, 6-3
An interview with:
MARAT SAFIN
MODERATOR: Questions for Marat.
Q. You said if you were scared a minute before you went out, you wouldn't be able to talk. Do you remember saying that?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I didn't talk on the court, I just played.
Q. Were you scared?
MARAT SAFIN: When I was really scared, it was in the last game. Actually, last two games. I think I had breakpoint for the 5-2, 5-1, I don't remember.
Q. Two.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. So I knew if I would miss this, I can lose, so I was already start the game with my service game. I start with a lot of pressure myself. That's why I make double-fault. I didn't know what to do. I was under pressure. I couldn't play. I couldn't serve. I serve all the time with a second serve. I was close to lose it. I don't know what going to happen if I lose this game. I don't want to think about this. I was completely -- I was so nervous, I cannot explain what I felt. "It's now or it's never, never going to be."
Q. Why were you not scared before? It's your first Grand Slam final.
MARAT SAFIN: Because I didn't even think about final. I was trying to beat Pete. Just I knew what I had to do. I made it try to hold my serve. I think from the baseline I'm better than him. He has to accept this, that I'm better than him on the baseline. But in other parts of the game, he's much better than me. So with my baseline, I can win my service games easy because I didn't actually had big problems with this. Also with his serve, I knew I have to risk sometimes. I have to return his legs and after I have to pass him. It's simple. I know it's not simple, but it's simple to understand. Otherwise, you have no chance to beat him. If you start to make great returns, 200 kilometers per hour, you're not going to beat him. So it's very simple. We return to his legs and after we pass him. Very easy.
Q. When did you feel you had control of the match today?
MARAT SAFIN: Not until we finish, you know, yeah (smiling). Not before.
Q. Even after being up two sets?
MARAT SAFIN: It doesn't matter two sets. It doesn't matter if it's two sets and I had a match point. Doesn't matter. We can see against Todd Martin against Moya, two-sets-to-Love, match point. After what happened?
Q. You're obviously quite right, this is one of the greatest moments of your life, fantastic occasion.
MARAT SAFIN: How do you know (laughter)?
Q. How can you relate the feelings now to those you were feeling, say, going into Monte-Carlo in April?
MARAT SAFIN: I was much better in Monte-Carlo. No, it's difficult to explain because I just won a tournament, a huge tournament, but it's a lot of attention, I can see it, everybody wants to ask me. It's one step forward.
Q. Could you have imagined then? You must have had some disparaging moments then.
MARAT SAFIN: I think about quitting the tennis in Indian Wells. Now I won the US Open. Just I played -- I start to play better, and before I was thinking to stay in the Top 20. With luck, I can finish in Top 20. Maybe I can go to Top 15. Now I'm thinking about to be for No. 1 in the world. I have a big chance, so it's a big difference, I think.
Q. Was there one thing that turned that around for you, a match with somebody, a conversation you might have had with somebody that turned things around for your year?
MARAT SAFIN: I think Andrei, he just explain to me, and I understood this. My ex-coach, he was explaining the same thing. I'm just start to understand it now. But he was explaining the same thing like he did Andrei Chesnokov. I don't know how I understood better Andrei than my ex-coach.
Q. What was it?
MARAT SAFIN: What was it? "Just fight. When you're playing bad, you have to fight." I didn't fight. You know how many matches I lose 6-Love in the second set? I mean, it was a disaster. I was just making Christmas presents. I cannot do this. So I start to fight. I was playing -- I didn't play my best tennis in Barcelona, but I start to fight. I had a tough match against Zabaleta, a tough match against Portas. Then my confidence came. I start to play already with a big serve, inside the court, putting pressure all the time. I just found it in two days, three days. I don't want to lose it now.
Q. Do you believe in destiny? Did you see something written before coming here? You were so convinced in the third round saying, "I came here not to win the quarters or semifinals, I came here to reach the final and win."
MARAT SAFIN: I was right. I was right. No, because if you come here, if you have in your head make quarters, last 16, semifinal, what is this? It's nothing. Actually, it's nothing. You have to come to the tournament, to Grand Slam tournament mentally to win, to win it. Why not? Why I can't win it? I have everything to be in the final, even beat Pete.
Q. But you never said that in the previous tournaments.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I start to convince myself, otherwise I have to think in positive way, not negative. I came here and said, "I come here to win. If it works, it works." Sometimes it doesn't work, but at least you have in your head that you want to win here. So already you have inside to your body to win, to win each round, you know, just show to the people that I want to win this tournament. It doesn't matter with who I'm playing, it doesn't matter in which court. I want to be in the final. I want to win. That's it.
Q. How important was it that you had clothes given to you from Kiefer on your way to this win?
MARAT SAFIN: Gives me luck. Gives me luck.
Q. Without his clothes, how would you have done it?
MARAT SAFIN: Without his clothes? I would smell on the court, that's it.
Q. When you played Pete earlier this year, did you see any tendencies in his game that you thought you might be able to exploit?
MARAT SAFIN: Before?
Q. When you played him earlier this year, did you see any tendencies of his that you thought you could exploit or work on?
MARAT SAFIN: Everybody knows how to play against Pete, but nobody can beat him. Normally. Earlier in the year, I would not -- is no chance to beat him. I was playing so bad, maybe I would win one game in both sets, that's it. But now with the confidence, you know how to play, you have to receive, you have to risk sometimes, you have to be sure when you're going out to the court. But is also difficult to play against him when you are out of confidence. When you are with confidence, it's easier. You have to make right decisions in right moments. If you miss one shot, the set is gone, so you have to be a hundred percent sure what you are doing on the court.
Q. You said earlier that you had no confidence until you had won the match. Does this match change your confidence level? Do you not think that you can't lose one point for giving away the match? Will you be different when you come to play tennis next time?
MARAT SAFIN: Explain one more time.
Q. Is your confidence level much higher now, now that you've won?
MARAT SAFIN: Of course, of course. But, you know, the confidence is coming and is going very fast, very fast. One week you're playing great tennis, like I did last year, I played great tennis during two weeks. It was unbelievable for me. Playing great tennis for two weeks, make two semifinals, it was huge. After, the confidence gone until the tournament in Boston. It was like five months, something like this. I couldn't put one ball inside the court. Now I have the same situation, I have my confidence back. It's already during five months. You have to understand this situation, this feeling. You have to hold it because the game is there. The problem is in your head, nothing else. You have a head, and you sometimes use it. You can play great tennis. Otherwise, with only the shots, there's no chance. Now I have this situation that I'm playing with a lot of confidence, so tennis is much easier for me, much more easy.
Q. Pete just made a very strong statement. He said you could be No. 1 for many, many years. Maybe you don't want to think about it. What is your response? What are your thoughts about that comment?
MARAT SAFIN: Thank you very much, but I'm still No. 2 or No. 3 I'm going to be. Thanks a lot to respect me, first of all.
Q. Is this the best match you ever played? Was it the best return of serve you ever made?
MARAT SAFIN: Probably I can say it was best match when I return. I was returning -- I didn't return better in my life. But sometimes I was thinking too much from the baseline because I knew I'm better than him and I can't lose a point against him, so is not correct. You have to be -- you have to play your game. I start to push the ball inside the court. The last game was the same situation. I start to push the ball. I start to wait for his mistakes. You cannot do this. You have to play your game. If you start to push the ball, you can lose your game in five minutes. After you have to run from one side of the baseline to other side. So I hope I'll not do the same mistake, otherwise it can cost me the final.
Q. When you were age 14, you moved to Spain, you were very lonely, did you ever dream about this moment?
MARAT SAFIN: Never, never. When I was 14, I was thinking about how to get my first point in a Satellite. To get a point in Satellite, you know how difficult is it? It's very difficult. I was thinking about this. I was playing quallies. I couldn't pass one round in the qually. To get one point, you have to pass two or three rounds in the main draw.
Q. Most kids dream of winning a Grand Slam, holding the trophy. You didn't?
MARAT SAFIN: No. For me it was more important Satellites (laughter).
Q. How do you feel now about winning the US Open?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't have time to think. After when I go to the locker room, maybe I start to think about this. Now, it's just nice trophy. I hope I will take it with me. I can't explain to you right now what I feel. I'm still a little bit in the match, in the last game. It's very difficult feeling it was in the last game. I had adrenaline all over my body. I was so scared, I didn't understand. Now it's difficult to go out from this situation. I cannot think about how great is it to win a Grand Slam.
Q. If you think back to the whole tournament, what do you think was the toughest match that you had in the tournament? In the early rounds you struggled.
MARAT SAFIN: Three times I struggled, with Guardiola, Pozzi, Grosjean. I was almost on the plane with Grosjean. It was 7-6 in the fifth set. I was two sets up. I don't know what I start to do in the court. In half an hour, I lost two games. I was already a break down in the fifth set. I felt like I don't know how to play tennis anymore. I was making so many mistakes. I was running. I was just running all over the court. I didn't have any time to think. After, when I get through this rounds, I just said, "Marat, come on, let's concentrate, just play your game, make it three sets, and go home." I start to make it with Ferrero. With Kiefer, it was a little bit difficult, but I made it. I found my game after match of Grosjean because I was scared to lose. I just understood that I can lose here very easy.
Q. Early in the third set, you've already beaten Pete Sampras, up two sets, early break, were you as shocked as the crowd was?
MARAT SAFIN: I'm already three years on the Tour, so I'm used to play with the crowd, you know, with this huge crowd. I played like in Moscow also against Slovakia in the Davis Cup. Was the same, but for us. You don't think about this when you already played for three years on the ATP. You play your game. You don't think about spectators. It's a little bit different.
Q. Where did you get that point?
MARAT SAFIN: Which one?
Q. The point you were looking for, the Satellites.
MARAT SAFIN: Spain. I was very happy - more than now (smiling).
Q. Do you remember who you beat and where?
MARAT SAFIN: I beat guys like David Sanchez, he's 90 in the world, Peuntas (ph), he's 100. For me, they were like 400, 300. I had no points at all. When I beat them, it was unbelievable for me. It was something incredible. I was more happy than now.
Q. More money?
MARAT SAFIN: More money also.
Q. Despite your nervousness in the match, Pete said he's not sure you could have played any better. Can you look at that and just see the fact that you beat a guy who is 13-2 in Grand Slam finals, pretty much blew him away, can you look at what you did? Are you in awe, as a lot of people who were there were?
MARAT SAFIN: Probably I was less nervous than him because for him it's very important to win here, in New York with the crowd. I mean, 20,000 people coming to see you. I just -- I'm the guy from Russia who had not a lot of spectators here, so I had nothing to lose, completely nothing. So I just played my game. I was relaxed. He has a lot of pressure on him because everybody wants him to win here. I'm just one guy who came here. I didn't feel any pressure, except the last game. Then I start to think, "Yes, I can win." Pete, he become a little bit bigger on the court. He was all over. You know, he become huge. The racquet is huge. Everything is huge.
Q. Was it easier than you expected?
MARAT SAFIN: Actually, I didn't expect it's going to be three sets. But I returned very well, definitely. I can't return better, any better. I can't. I just made it. That's why it was maybe so easy. Probably he didn't play his best game also. But it's difficult to explain what happened.
Q. Before the finals, Alexander Volkov said you were in a hurry to get back to Spain to your girlfriend, Sylvia. Then after the match, he said you were in a hurry to get back to Tashkent.
MARAT SAFIN: I have to go to Tashkent.
Q. What about Sylvia?
MARAT SAFIN: She has to wait. I mean, the business is business.
Q. Champagne is already here.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, but everybody start drink without me.
Q. Are you going to get drunk tonight?
MARAT SAFIN: Guys, what do you want me to say yes to put in the press? Between us, I hope so (laughter). It's for free. If you want also, it's for free.
Q. You went from being a clay court player primarily in Europe to winning maybe the most important hard court tournament in the world. How did you do it?
MARAT SAFIN: You cannot believe, but it's very simple. I become a fighter. I start understand better the game. I start to fight on the court. That's it. Is not so difficult to play this game. But you have to fight. You have to be there on the court. If it's five hours, you have to be during five hours there, running all over the court, point by point, be there, be tough. After, everything is coming.
Q. Can you believe now you were fined for tanking a match earlier this year?
MARAT SAFIN: What?
Q. I'm told that you were fined for tanking a match earlier this year.
MARAT SAFIN: Yes, but I don't know why the press -- somebody put that I just pick up the ball with my hand from the serve. I didn't.
Q. You didn't?
MARAT SAFIN: No, I didn't do this. Probably I was angry with myself. I return one serve on the fence. Another return, I just wanted to make a dropshot. Maybe it wasn't the right decision, but I wanted to make dropshot. Just went to the net. The guy just said that it's for tanking. I mean, at least I'm in history already.
Q. Is this ring around your neck of any special significance or do you wear it just for the US Open?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, especially I bought for the final. It's from my sister.
Q. Is it good luck?
MARAT SAFIN: Yes. Actually, it's funny. When she just make me a present, I start to win matches, I start to play great. It gives me luck.
Q. When did she give it to you?
MARAT SAFIN: In a Challenger in Holland. I was like 400. She make me a present. I finish the year in top 200. I'm still with it. I'm already 6 in the world.
Q. When was this? When did you get it?
MARAT SAFIN: Three years ago.
Q. Will you ever say now that your sister will be better than you?
MARAT SAFIN: My sister?
Q. Yes.
MARAT SAFIN: I hope so. At least I have a big future coaching her.
Q. How will winning the US Open Championships change you as a man and how will it change your life?
MARAT SAFIN: Explain me one thing: Why you have to change? Why? Because of this (pointing to trophy)? I just win a huge tournament. I get this. Yes, I have a check of $800,000, it's here (pulling it from his pocket, all folded up). That's it.
Q. Did you sign the check already?
MARAT SAFIN: No. I have to get it out. The money in cash, I will take in cash everything.
Q. When you went for the dropshot early in the match, you slipped on the court, did you have any concern about hurting yourself?
MARAT SAFIN: No, you don't think about this.
Q. I was worried.
MARAT SAFIN: At least for me the match can finish a little earlier so I don't have this headache on the court.
Q. Pete said you could be No. 1 for many years if you wanted to. Are you aware of the sacrifices you need to make?
MARAT SAFIN: No, I don't want really (laughter). Of course, I want. Of course, I want.
Q. How much you want it, how much you want to be champion.
MARAT SAFIN: There is different levels how much you want. For me it's one level. I want. I definitely want. I want. If I have this opportunity, I will do this. If I can stay for one year, for one week, I will make it. If I have a chance to make it for seven years, for ten years, I will make it also. Everybody has opportunity to be in top. But if you want, you can be there. I want. I personally want.
2000 U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Flushing Meadows, New York
September 10, 2000
M. SAFIN/P. Sampras
6-4, 6-3, 6-3
An interview with:
MARAT SAFIN
MODERATOR: Questions for Marat.
Q. You said if you were scared a minute before you went out, you wouldn't be able to talk. Do you remember saying that?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I didn't talk on the court, I just played.
Q. Were you scared?
MARAT SAFIN: When I was really scared, it was in the last game. Actually, last two games. I think I had breakpoint for the 5-2, 5-1, I don't remember.
Q. Two.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. So I knew if I would miss this, I can lose, so I was already start the game with my service game. I start with a lot of pressure myself. That's why I make double-fault. I didn't know what to do. I was under pressure. I couldn't play. I couldn't serve. I serve all the time with a second serve. I was close to lose it. I don't know what going to happen if I lose this game. I don't want to think about this. I was completely -- I was so nervous, I cannot explain what I felt. "It's now or it's never, never going to be."
Q. Why were you not scared before? It's your first Grand Slam final.
MARAT SAFIN: Because I didn't even think about final. I was trying to beat Pete. Just I knew what I had to do. I made it try to hold my serve. I think from the baseline I'm better than him. He has to accept this, that I'm better than him on the baseline. But in other parts of the game, he's much better than me. So with my baseline, I can win my service games easy because I didn't actually had big problems with this. Also with his serve, I knew I have to risk sometimes. I have to return his legs and after I have to pass him. It's simple. I know it's not simple, but it's simple to understand. Otherwise, you have no chance to beat him. If you start to make great returns, 200 kilometers per hour, you're not going to beat him. So it's very simple. We return to his legs and after we pass him. Very easy.
Q. When did you feel you had control of the match today?
MARAT SAFIN: Not until we finish, you know, yeah (smiling). Not before.
Q. Even after being up two sets?
MARAT SAFIN: It doesn't matter two sets. It doesn't matter if it's two sets and I had a match point. Doesn't matter. We can see against Todd Martin against Moya, two-sets-to-Love, match point. After what happened?
Q. You're obviously quite right, this is one of the greatest moments of your life, fantastic occasion.
MARAT SAFIN: How do you know (laughter)?
Q. How can you relate the feelings now to those you were feeling, say, going into Monte-Carlo in April?
MARAT SAFIN: I was much better in Monte-Carlo. No, it's difficult to explain because I just won a tournament, a huge tournament, but it's a lot of attention, I can see it, everybody wants to ask me. It's one step forward.
Q. Could you have imagined then? You must have had some disparaging moments then.
MARAT SAFIN: I think about quitting the tennis in Indian Wells. Now I won the US Open. Just I played -- I start to play better, and before I was thinking to stay in the Top 20. With luck, I can finish in Top 20. Maybe I can go to Top 15. Now I'm thinking about to be for No. 1 in the world. I have a big chance, so it's a big difference, I think.
Q. Was there one thing that turned that around for you, a match with somebody, a conversation you might have had with somebody that turned things around for your year?
MARAT SAFIN: I think Andrei, he just explain to me, and I understood this. My ex-coach, he was explaining the same thing. I'm just start to understand it now. But he was explaining the same thing like he did Andrei Chesnokov. I don't know how I understood better Andrei than my ex-coach.
Q. What was it?
MARAT SAFIN: What was it? "Just fight. When you're playing bad, you have to fight." I didn't fight. You know how many matches I lose 6-Love in the second set? I mean, it was a disaster. I was just making Christmas presents. I cannot do this. So I start to fight. I was playing -- I didn't play my best tennis in Barcelona, but I start to fight. I had a tough match against Zabaleta, a tough match against Portas. Then my confidence came. I start to play already with a big serve, inside the court, putting pressure all the time. I just found it in two days, three days. I don't want to lose it now.
Q. Do you believe in destiny? Did you see something written before coming here? You were so convinced in the third round saying, "I came here not to win the quarters or semifinals, I came here to reach the final and win."
MARAT SAFIN: I was right. I was right. No, because if you come here, if you have in your head make quarters, last 16, semifinal, what is this? It's nothing. Actually, it's nothing. You have to come to the tournament, to Grand Slam tournament mentally to win, to win it. Why not? Why I can't win it? I have everything to be in the final, even beat Pete.
Q. But you never said that in the previous tournaments.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I start to convince myself, otherwise I have to think in positive way, not negative. I came here and said, "I come here to win. If it works, it works." Sometimes it doesn't work, but at least you have in your head that you want to win here. So already you have inside to your body to win, to win each round, you know, just show to the people that I want to win this tournament. It doesn't matter with who I'm playing, it doesn't matter in which court. I want to be in the final. I want to win. That's it.
Q. How important was it that you had clothes given to you from Kiefer on your way to this win?
MARAT SAFIN: Gives me luck. Gives me luck.
Q. Without his clothes, how would you have done it?
MARAT SAFIN: Without his clothes? I would smell on the court, that's it.
Q. When you played Pete earlier this year, did you see any tendencies in his game that you thought you might be able to exploit?
MARAT SAFIN: Before?
Q. When you played him earlier this year, did you see any tendencies of his that you thought you could exploit or work on?
MARAT SAFIN: Everybody knows how to play against Pete, but nobody can beat him. Normally. Earlier in the year, I would not -- is no chance to beat him. I was playing so bad, maybe I would win one game in both sets, that's it. But now with the confidence, you know how to play, you have to receive, you have to risk sometimes, you have to be sure when you're going out to the court. But is also difficult to play against him when you are out of confidence. When you are with confidence, it's easier. You have to make right decisions in right moments. If you miss one shot, the set is gone, so you have to be a hundred percent sure what you are doing on the court.
Q. You said earlier that you had no confidence until you had won the match. Does this match change your confidence level? Do you not think that you can't lose one point for giving away the match? Will you be different when you come to play tennis next time?
MARAT SAFIN: Explain one more time.
Q. Is your confidence level much higher now, now that you've won?
MARAT SAFIN: Of course, of course. But, you know, the confidence is coming and is going very fast, very fast. One week you're playing great tennis, like I did last year, I played great tennis during two weeks. It was unbelievable for me. Playing great tennis for two weeks, make two semifinals, it was huge. After, the confidence gone until the tournament in Boston. It was like five months, something like this. I couldn't put one ball inside the court. Now I have the same situation, I have my confidence back. It's already during five months. You have to understand this situation, this feeling. You have to hold it because the game is there. The problem is in your head, nothing else. You have a head, and you sometimes use it. You can play great tennis. Otherwise, with only the shots, there's no chance. Now I have this situation that I'm playing with a lot of confidence, so tennis is much easier for me, much more easy.
Q. Pete just made a very strong statement. He said you could be No. 1 for many, many years. Maybe you don't want to think about it. What is your response? What are your thoughts about that comment?
MARAT SAFIN: Thank you very much, but I'm still No. 2 or No. 3 I'm going to be. Thanks a lot to respect me, first of all.
Q. Is this the best match you ever played? Was it the best return of serve you ever made?
MARAT SAFIN: Probably I can say it was best match when I return. I was returning -- I didn't return better in my life. But sometimes I was thinking too much from the baseline because I knew I'm better than him and I can't lose a point against him, so is not correct. You have to be -- you have to play your game. I start to push the ball inside the court. The last game was the same situation. I start to push the ball. I start to wait for his mistakes. You cannot do this. You have to play your game. If you start to push the ball, you can lose your game in five minutes. After you have to run from one side of the baseline to other side. So I hope I'll not do the same mistake, otherwise it can cost me the final.
Q. When you were age 14, you moved to Spain, you were very lonely, did you ever dream about this moment?
MARAT SAFIN: Never, never. When I was 14, I was thinking about how to get my first point in a Satellite. To get a point in Satellite, you know how difficult is it? It's very difficult. I was thinking about this. I was playing quallies. I couldn't pass one round in the qually. To get one point, you have to pass two or three rounds in the main draw.
Q. Most kids dream of winning a Grand Slam, holding the trophy. You didn't?
MARAT SAFIN: No. For me it was more important Satellites (laughter).
Q. How do you feel now about winning the US Open?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't have time to think. After when I go to the locker room, maybe I start to think about this. Now, it's just nice trophy. I hope I will take it with me. I can't explain to you right now what I feel. I'm still a little bit in the match, in the last game. It's very difficult feeling it was in the last game. I had adrenaline all over my body. I was so scared, I didn't understand. Now it's difficult to go out from this situation. I cannot think about how great is it to win a Grand Slam.
Q. If you think back to the whole tournament, what do you think was the toughest match that you had in the tournament? In the early rounds you struggled.
MARAT SAFIN: Three times I struggled, with Guardiola, Pozzi, Grosjean. I was almost on the plane with Grosjean. It was 7-6 in the fifth set. I was two sets up. I don't know what I start to do in the court. In half an hour, I lost two games. I was already a break down in the fifth set. I felt like I don't know how to play tennis anymore. I was making so many mistakes. I was running. I was just running all over the court. I didn't have any time to think. After, when I get through this rounds, I just said, "Marat, come on, let's concentrate, just play your game, make it three sets, and go home." I start to make it with Ferrero. With Kiefer, it was a little bit difficult, but I made it. I found my game after match of Grosjean because I was scared to lose. I just understood that I can lose here very easy.
Q. Early in the third set, you've already beaten Pete Sampras, up two sets, early break, were you as shocked as the crowd was?
MARAT SAFIN: I'm already three years on the Tour, so I'm used to play with the crowd, you know, with this huge crowd. I played like in Moscow also against Slovakia in the Davis Cup. Was the same, but for us. You don't think about this when you already played for three years on the ATP. You play your game. You don't think about spectators. It's a little bit different.
Q. Where did you get that point?
MARAT SAFIN: Which one?
Q. The point you were looking for, the Satellites.
MARAT SAFIN: Spain. I was very happy - more than now (smiling).
Q. Do you remember who you beat and where?
MARAT SAFIN: I beat guys like David Sanchez, he's 90 in the world, Peuntas (ph), he's 100. For me, they were like 400, 300. I had no points at all. When I beat them, it was unbelievable for me. It was something incredible. I was more happy than now.
Q. More money?
MARAT SAFIN: More money also.
Q. Despite your nervousness in the match, Pete said he's not sure you could have played any better. Can you look at that and just see the fact that you beat a guy who is 13-2 in Grand Slam finals, pretty much blew him away, can you look at what you did? Are you in awe, as a lot of people who were there were?
MARAT SAFIN: Probably I was less nervous than him because for him it's very important to win here, in New York with the crowd. I mean, 20,000 people coming to see you. I just -- I'm the guy from Russia who had not a lot of spectators here, so I had nothing to lose, completely nothing. So I just played my game. I was relaxed. He has a lot of pressure on him because everybody wants him to win here. I'm just one guy who came here. I didn't feel any pressure, except the last game. Then I start to think, "Yes, I can win." Pete, he become a little bit bigger on the court. He was all over. You know, he become huge. The racquet is huge. Everything is huge.
Q. Was it easier than you expected?
MARAT SAFIN: Actually, I didn't expect it's going to be three sets. But I returned very well, definitely. I can't return better, any better. I can't. I just made it. That's why it was maybe so easy. Probably he didn't play his best game also. But it's difficult to explain what happened.
Q. Before the finals, Alexander Volkov said you were in a hurry to get back to Spain to your girlfriend, Sylvia. Then after the match, he said you were in a hurry to get back to Tashkent.
MARAT SAFIN: I have to go to Tashkent.
Q. What about Sylvia?
MARAT SAFIN: She has to wait. I mean, the business is business.
Q. Champagne is already here.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, but everybody start drink without me.
Q. Are you going to get drunk tonight?
MARAT SAFIN: Guys, what do you want me to say yes to put in the press? Between us, I hope so (laughter). It's for free. If you want also, it's for free.
Q. You went from being a clay court player primarily in Europe to winning maybe the most important hard court tournament in the world. How did you do it?
MARAT SAFIN: You cannot believe, but it's very simple. I become a fighter. I start understand better the game. I start to fight on the court. That's it. Is not so difficult to play this game. But you have to fight. You have to be there on the court. If it's five hours, you have to be during five hours there, running all over the court, point by point, be there, be tough. After, everything is coming.
Q. Can you believe now you were fined for tanking a match earlier this year?
MARAT SAFIN: What?
Q. I'm told that you were fined for tanking a match earlier this year.
MARAT SAFIN: Yes, but I don't know why the press -- somebody put that I just pick up the ball with my hand from the serve. I didn't.
Q. You didn't?
MARAT SAFIN: No, I didn't do this. Probably I was angry with myself. I return one serve on the fence. Another return, I just wanted to make a dropshot. Maybe it wasn't the right decision, but I wanted to make dropshot. Just went to the net. The guy just said that it's for tanking. I mean, at least I'm in history already.
Q. Is this ring around your neck of any special significance or do you wear it just for the US Open?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, especially I bought for the final. It's from my sister.
Q. Is it good luck?
MARAT SAFIN: Yes. Actually, it's funny. When she just make me a present, I start to win matches, I start to play great. It gives me luck.
Q. When did she give it to you?
MARAT SAFIN: In a Challenger in Holland. I was like 400. She make me a present. I finish the year in top 200. I'm still with it. I'm already 6 in the world.
Q. When was this? When did you get it?
MARAT SAFIN: Three years ago.
Q. Will you ever say now that your sister will be better than you?
MARAT SAFIN: My sister?
Q. Yes.
MARAT SAFIN: I hope so. At least I have a big future coaching her.
Q. How will winning the US Open Championships change you as a man and how will it change your life?
MARAT SAFIN: Explain me one thing: Why you have to change? Why? Because of this (pointing to trophy)? I just win a huge tournament. I get this. Yes, I have a check of $800,000, it's here (pulling it from his pocket, all folded up). That's it.
Q. Did you sign the check already?
MARAT SAFIN: No. I have to get it out. The money in cash, I will take in cash everything.
Q. When you went for the dropshot early in the match, you slipped on the court, did you have any concern about hurting yourself?
MARAT SAFIN: No, you don't think about this.
Q. I was worried.
MARAT SAFIN: At least for me the match can finish a little earlier so I don't have this headache on the court.
Q. Pete said you could be No. 1 for many years if you wanted to. Are you aware of the sacrifices you need to make?
MARAT SAFIN: No, I don't want really (laughter). Of course, I want. Of course, I want.
Q. How much you want it, how much you want to be champion.
MARAT SAFIN: There is different levels how much you want. For me it's one level. I want. I definitely want. I want. If I have this opportunity, I will do this. If I can stay for one year, for one week, I will make it. If I have a chance to make it for seven years, for ten years, I will make it also. Everybody has opportunity to be in top. But if you want, you can be there. I want. I personally want.
Re: Re: Marat Interviews
2002 PACIFIC LIFE OPEN
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA
March 10, 2002
An interview with:
MARAT SAFIN
MODERATOR: Questions for Marat.
Q. Looking back at last year, can you evaluate your decision to play with your back? You played at this tournament when your back was hurting, through other tournaments. Can you evaluate, was that a good thing to do, looking back at it a year later?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. I think it was the right thing at that moment, to play all these tournaments, because I had no other solution. I already spoke about this. I think everything is clear. I think for me it was the right decision. That's it.
Q. Tell us about how you're feeling at the moment, your tennis, everything. How do you look at this tournament?
MARAT SAFIN: I'm good. You know, I played well in Australia. I won the last match in Davis Cup. I played only one tournament after Australian Open. It was in Rotterdam. Unfortunately, I didn't do very well, I lost second round. But I'm just trying to play less, and I try to do better in the tournaments, than to play a lot of tournaments. Some of them you'll not do well. It's just less tournaments, better quality.
Q. When you were going around playing with your lame back, had you been advised by medical people that you could not make it worse by continuing to play?
MARAT SAFIN: No, no, no.
Q. You could have made it worse?
MARAT SAFIN: No, I couldn't made it worse because I spoke with my medicals, with the people that I know. They said is not a problem. Just, you know, you have to wait and you have to take a rest during one month, three weeks, then it's going to be okay. But I couldn't make it because I had no other solution, so that's why I had to play all these tournaments. That's why I couldn't do very well actually here. Basically I spoiled all the year. Like I said, I had no other solution.
Q. Why did you actually decide to play less?
MARAT SAFIN: Because anyway, if you're playing a lot of tournaments, it's difficult to do well in all of them, and the quality of your game is going down with the time because your fitness is not so well, you're not fit after two or three weeks of playing tournaments in a row, you know. It's not good for the spectators, it's not good for me, because I'm also losing confidence. I think it's better to prepare well, play less tournaments, do better results and have more confidence. You are more satisfied, have you more time to enjoy your life actually. You have enough time to enjoy it, to spend the money as well (smiling).
Q. Can you give us an update on your coaching situation?
MARAT SAFIN: No. I'm traveling with a guy, his name is Amit Naor. He's my manager. We're trying to work with him. I'm trying to work with him. For the moment is going well. I don't want to change anything. I'm satisfied with the work we are doing.
Q. What happened with Mats? Is that finished?
MARAT SAFIN: Mats, yeah, I think everybody understands that Mats is playing tournaments, Senior Tour, and he has a family. It's a little bit difficult to have a coach for all the year. That's what I need, a coach that he can spend with me like 30, 40 weeks a year. He could not make it for these reasons. He's playing tournaments and he has a family, which I respect. So I think the right solution was, you know, just to finish. I'm still having contact with him. We are good friends. That's more important than to have a business together, I think.
Q. Can you go through details of what you've been doing between Rotterdam and here?
MARAT SAFIN: I have my vacations, you know, because after the trip to Australia, you need a few days to recover because it's a long trip. You have to celebrate anyway because it's not many times in life you will make the final of Grand Slam. Then, yeah, I played Rotterdam. I had like also two weeks, so I had time to rest. I had ten days of preparation before this tournament, and I'm fit. I'm looking forward. I want to do well here because I have nothing to defend. I think I'm ready for this.
Q. After the US Open, do you remember where you were, how you heard about the terror attacks?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I heard this when I left. I left New York on Sunday. The planes crashed I think on Tuesday morning. So basically, yeah, I was lucky that I lost to Pete, so I had time to get out of there.
Q. Where were you?
MARAT SAFIN: I was in Tashkent. I was really shocked. I think it's too much. It was too much for me. Too much for everybody.
Q. Do you think a lot of things have changed in the world?
MARAT SAFIN: It will be more difficult to get a visa to the States, that's the main thing, especially for Russians (laughter). But, no, it's okay. It's more important for you guys, you know, you just recover from all of this. I think it's very difficult and really scary what happened here. I hope everything is okay, everything is in order, and everything will come back, just live the normal life like you lived before.
Q. How long have you been practicing here in Indian Wells?
MARAT SAFIN: I came here on Wednesday night, so since Thursday I'm practicing twice a day, doing my footwork, fitness, and getting ready for a tournament. Not much to do actually here. But it's really nice, nice and easy, enough time to concentrate for the tennis.
Q. Have you heard from any of your entourage in Australia, your friends in Australia?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't think. They're just friends and that's it. Not many words I can say about this.
Q. It was in the paper every day.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, but it's okay.
Q. At the stage where you are now, tennis-wise, what do you think you are happy with and what do you think you still need to work on?
MARAT SAFIN: You have to improve something. I have many things to improve. The year is just beginning. I have a lot of time. I'm just wondering, you know, like that I can play for all the year and keep the confidence that I'm having right now, just to play my best game is the most important thing, just keep in the same shape during all the year.
Q. You seem much more serious than when I've observed you at the US Open where you were laughing.
MARAT SAFIN: I'm growing up. I'm 22 now, so I have to be more serious.
Q. Is life less fascinating for you at 22?
MARAT SAFIN: No. You know, I'm trying to be serious and try to do my business as best as I can.
Q. When you play a tournament where you have a lot of points to defend, then where you play a tournament like here where you don't have much to defend, what is the difference?
MARAT SAFIN: The difference actually is the same. When you're playing a tournament, you are trying to defend the points. When you have nothing to defend, you're thinking to get as many points as you can so you can go up in the ranking. So also you're under pressure all the time. It's like difficult sometimes.
Q. How is your confidence level? Is it back where it was once?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, you know, I'm getting better. I didn't play very well in the last year. But I'm coming back, I'm playing very well right now, looking forward that I can play the same level like I play in 2000.
2002 PACIFIC LIFE OPEN
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA
March 10, 2002
An interview with:
MARAT SAFIN
MODERATOR: Questions for Marat.
Q. Looking back at last year, can you evaluate your decision to play with your back? You played at this tournament when your back was hurting, through other tournaments. Can you evaluate, was that a good thing to do, looking back at it a year later?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah. I think it was the right thing at that moment, to play all these tournaments, because I had no other solution. I already spoke about this. I think everything is clear. I think for me it was the right decision. That's it.
Q. Tell us about how you're feeling at the moment, your tennis, everything. How do you look at this tournament?
MARAT SAFIN: I'm good. You know, I played well in Australia. I won the last match in Davis Cup. I played only one tournament after Australian Open. It was in Rotterdam. Unfortunately, I didn't do very well, I lost second round. But I'm just trying to play less, and I try to do better in the tournaments, than to play a lot of tournaments. Some of them you'll not do well. It's just less tournaments, better quality.
Q. When you were going around playing with your lame back, had you been advised by medical people that you could not make it worse by continuing to play?
MARAT SAFIN: No, no, no.
Q. You could have made it worse?
MARAT SAFIN: No, I couldn't made it worse because I spoke with my medicals, with the people that I know. They said is not a problem. Just, you know, you have to wait and you have to take a rest during one month, three weeks, then it's going to be okay. But I couldn't make it because I had no other solution, so that's why I had to play all these tournaments. That's why I couldn't do very well actually here. Basically I spoiled all the year. Like I said, I had no other solution.
Q. Why did you actually decide to play less?
MARAT SAFIN: Because anyway, if you're playing a lot of tournaments, it's difficult to do well in all of them, and the quality of your game is going down with the time because your fitness is not so well, you're not fit after two or three weeks of playing tournaments in a row, you know. It's not good for the spectators, it's not good for me, because I'm also losing confidence. I think it's better to prepare well, play less tournaments, do better results and have more confidence. You are more satisfied, have you more time to enjoy your life actually. You have enough time to enjoy it, to spend the money as well (smiling).
Q. Can you give us an update on your coaching situation?
MARAT SAFIN: No. I'm traveling with a guy, his name is Amit Naor. He's my manager. We're trying to work with him. I'm trying to work with him. For the moment is going well. I don't want to change anything. I'm satisfied with the work we are doing.
Q. What happened with Mats? Is that finished?
MARAT SAFIN: Mats, yeah, I think everybody understands that Mats is playing tournaments, Senior Tour, and he has a family. It's a little bit difficult to have a coach for all the year. That's what I need, a coach that he can spend with me like 30, 40 weeks a year. He could not make it for these reasons. He's playing tournaments and he has a family, which I respect. So I think the right solution was, you know, just to finish. I'm still having contact with him. We are good friends. That's more important than to have a business together, I think.
Q. Can you go through details of what you've been doing between Rotterdam and here?
MARAT SAFIN: I have my vacations, you know, because after the trip to Australia, you need a few days to recover because it's a long trip. You have to celebrate anyway because it's not many times in life you will make the final of Grand Slam. Then, yeah, I played Rotterdam. I had like also two weeks, so I had time to rest. I had ten days of preparation before this tournament, and I'm fit. I'm looking forward. I want to do well here because I have nothing to defend. I think I'm ready for this.
Q. After the US Open, do you remember where you were, how you heard about the terror attacks?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I heard this when I left. I left New York on Sunday. The planes crashed I think on Tuesday morning. So basically, yeah, I was lucky that I lost to Pete, so I had time to get out of there.
Q. Where were you?
MARAT SAFIN: I was in Tashkent. I was really shocked. I think it's too much. It was too much for me. Too much for everybody.
Q. Do you think a lot of things have changed in the world?
MARAT SAFIN: It will be more difficult to get a visa to the States, that's the main thing, especially for Russians (laughter). But, no, it's okay. It's more important for you guys, you know, you just recover from all of this. I think it's very difficult and really scary what happened here. I hope everything is okay, everything is in order, and everything will come back, just live the normal life like you lived before.
Q. How long have you been practicing here in Indian Wells?
MARAT SAFIN: I came here on Wednesday night, so since Thursday I'm practicing twice a day, doing my footwork, fitness, and getting ready for a tournament. Not much to do actually here. But it's really nice, nice and easy, enough time to concentrate for the tennis.
Q. Have you heard from any of your entourage in Australia, your friends in Australia?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't think. They're just friends and that's it. Not many words I can say about this.
Q. It was in the paper every day.
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, but it's okay.
Q. At the stage where you are now, tennis-wise, what do you think you are happy with and what do you think you still need to work on?
MARAT SAFIN: You have to improve something. I have many things to improve. The year is just beginning. I have a lot of time. I'm just wondering, you know, like that I can play for all the year and keep the confidence that I'm having right now, just to play my best game is the most important thing, just keep in the same shape during all the year.
Q. You seem much more serious than when I've observed you at the US Open where you were laughing.
MARAT SAFIN: I'm growing up. I'm 22 now, so I have to be more serious.
Q. Is life less fascinating for you at 22?
MARAT SAFIN: No. You know, I'm trying to be serious and try to do my business as best as I can.
Q. When you play a tournament where you have a lot of points to defend, then where you play a tournament like here where you don't have much to defend, what is the difference?
MARAT SAFIN: The difference actually is the same. When you're playing a tournament, you are trying to defend the points. When you have nothing to defend, you're thinking to get as many points as you can so you can go up in the ranking. So also you're under pressure all the time. It's like difficult sometimes.
Q. How is your confidence level? Is it back where it was once?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, you know, I'm getting better. I didn't play very well in the last year. But I'm coming back, I'm playing very well right now, looking forward that I can play the same level like I play in 2000.
Re: Re: Re: Marat Interviews
2002 NASDAQ-100 OPEN
KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA
March 23, 2002
M. SAFIN/M. Philippoussis
7-6, 6-1
An Interview With:
MARAT SAFIN
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Strong performance?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, it was good. For first day it was beautiful. I hope I can play this way next matches.
Q. What do you think of Mark coming off that quad injury on his left foot? Can you tell?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, he been out for a long time, so it's very difficult to come back. Especially because -- especially now that everybody's already playing for a few months and he didn't make any -- he didn't play any tournament. Of course it's difficult. Everybody's playing great, and he had some problems with the legs, with the knee. So of course it's difficult to come back and play first matches. You need to run, you know, you need to play few tournaments to get back to the same rhythm. Because everybody's playing fast. So it's difficult to catch up with us. But he will, because he has a great game. He is very talented. So it will not be a problem for him.
Q. Marat, I remember you playing that close final in Paris, the two of you, a couple years ago. How close to that is your form now?
MARAT SAFIN: Definitely not there. Definitely not the same as the way I played in 2000. But I am working on it and I am trying to get there. Of course it takes time. It takes too long. But I am trying to get there. That's my goal. If I will manage to get there, I definitely will fight for No. 1 in the world.
Q. You have an Israeli coach, huh?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah.
Q. How did that happen?
MARAT SAFIN: I met him long time ago. He was my manager, one of my managers. So that's why he used to play. On ATP, he was like 160. We decided, you know, just to try together and to travel a little bit and see how it's going, you know. For the moment is okay. I'm satisfied. And it's okay.
Q. Any ideas for your game?
MARAT SAFIN: Ideas, ideas is always same - try to get my game a little bit more aggressive because for the last two years I became a little bit passive, staying a little bit more in the line, in the baseline. And I'm not going forward. I think my game has to change a little bit and I have to go -- try to go to the net all the time, put the pressure on the other guy, the opponent. That's my goal, actually. That's the way I played in 2000. Even though I had not such a great volley like now. (Inaudible).
Q. Is it just a matter of fine-tuning the strokes and strategy, or is it the confidence level?
MARAT SAFIN: Confidence. Confidence. I think definitely is the confidence. You can play long matches, you can win great matches, but still not feeling great 100 percent, you're not satisfied with the game because for some reason, you know, you're not playing great, is not your game. You can hit the ball very good, you know, like, but is not your game. So doesn't make me feel great.
Q. How do you describe that feeling that when you go out there you know you're going to win; that confidence?
MARAT SAFIN: That's most difficult part of the game, you know, to get the confidence. Because when you are getting the confidence, you go out of the court, you go to the court and you are already know that you definitely going to beat this guy. Or at least you have, I don't know, 70 percent, 80 percent that you gonna beat him. When you have no confidence, you know you are scared, you're not going for the shots, you're not going to the net, you're losing anticipation. Everything is like falling apart. To get back, you need to matches, matches, matches and try to work hard and just try to push yourself to go to the net, be inside the court, put pressure on other guy, you know, play fast. That's -- it seems to be very simple, but it's not.
Q. So you're now a property owner in Miami Beach. How often will you be living there?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't know.
Q. Couple months?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't know. I don't know. No, definitely not. I just -- I don't know. I will see. We'll see. I mean, we'll see. Depends how beautiful gonna be the apartment and if I will like it or not.
Q. When do you move in?
MARAT SAFIN: Hopefully next week.
Q. Lot of parties around Miami Beach.
MARAT SAFIN: So that's why I don't want to spend a lot of time here (laughter).
THE MODERATOR: Any further questions for Marat?
MARAT SAFIN: That was last one, no? Thanks, guys.
2002 NASDAQ-100 OPEN
KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA
March 23, 2002
M. SAFIN/M. Philippoussis
7-6, 6-1
An Interview With:
MARAT SAFIN
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Strong performance?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, it was good. For first day it was beautiful. I hope I can play this way next matches.
Q. What do you think of Mark coming off that quad injury on his left foot? Can you tell?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, he been out for a long time, so it's very difficult to come back. Especially because -- especially now that everybody's already playing for a few months and he didn't make any -- he didn't play any tournament. Of course it's difficult. Everybody's playing great, and he had some problems with the legs, with the knee. So of course it's difficult to come back and play first matches. You need to run, you know, you need to play few tournaments to get back to the same rhythm. Because everybody's playing fast. So it's difficult to catch up with us. But he will, because he has a great game. He is very talented. So it will not be a problem for him.
Q. Marat, I remember you playing that close final in Paris, the two of you, a couple years ago. How close to that is your form now?
MARAT SAFIN: Definitely not there. Definitely not the same as the way I played in 2000. But I am working on it and I am trying to get there. Of course it takes time. It takes too long. But I am trying to get there. That's my goal. If I will manage to get there, I definitely will fight for No. 1 in the world.
Q. You have an Israeli coach, huh?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah.
Q. How did that happen?
MARAT SAFIN: I met him long time ago. He was my manager, one of my managers. So that's why he used to play. On ATP, he was like 160. We decided, you know, just to try together and to travel a little bit and see how it's going, you know. For the moment is okay. I'm satisfied. And it's okay.
Q. Any ideas for your game?
MARAT SAFIN: Ideas, ideas is always same - try to get my game a little bit more aggressive because for the last two years I became a little bit passive, staying a little bit more in the line, in the baseline. And I'm not going forward. I think my game has to change a little bit and I have to go -- try to go to the net all the time, put the pressure on the other guy, the opponent. That's my goal, actually. That's the way I played in 2000. Even though I had not such a great volley like now. (Inaudible).
Q. Is it just a matter of fine-tuning the strokes and strategy, or is it the confidence level?
MARAT SAFIN: Confidence. Confidence. I think definitely is the confidence. You can play long matches, you can win great matches, but still not feeling great 100 percent, you're not satisfied with the game because for some reason, you know, you're not playing great, is not your game. You can hit the ball very good, you know, like, but is not your game. So doesn't make me feel great.
Q. How do you describe that feeling that when you go out there you know you're going to win; that confidence?
MARAT SAFIN: That's most difficult part of the game, you know, to get the confidence. Because when you are getting the confidence, you go out of the court, you go to the court and you are already know that you definitely going to beat this guy. Or at least you have, I don't know, 70 percent, 80 percent that you gonna beat him. When you have no confidence, you know you are scared, you're not going for the shots, you're not going to the net, you're losing anticipation. Everything is like falling apart. To get back, you need to matches, matches, matches and try to work hard and just try to push yourself to go to the net, be inside the court, put pressure on other guy, you know, play fast. That's -- it seems to be very simple, but it's not.
Q. So you're now a property owner in Miami Beach. How often will you be living there?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't know.
Q. Couple months?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't know. I don't know. No, definitely not. I just -- I don't know. I will see. We'll see. I mean, we'll see. Depends how beautiful gonna be the apartment and if I will like it or not.
Q. When do you move in?
MARAT SAFIN: Hopefully next week.
Q. Lot of parties around Miami Beach.
MARAT SAFIN: So that's why I don't want to spend a lot of time here (laughter).
THE MODERATOR: Any further questions for Marat?
MARAT SAFIN: That was last one, no? Thanks, guys.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Marat Interviews
2002 NASDAQ-100 OPEN
KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA
March 25, 2002
M. SAFIN/L. Horna
3-6, 6-3, 7-6
An Interview With:
MARAT SAFIN
THE MODERATOR: Questions for Marat, please.
Q. I know you're much better than this. When are you going to get some consistency in your game?
MARAT SAFIN: It's difficult. I didn't play well today; I know that. I almost lost my match. I had big opportunities, you know, 4-3, serving -- with a serve. 6-5, serving for the match. Just bad game. But I was there, still was there. I fight and eventually, in the tiebreaker, I could finish it.
Q. You did fight today. But those easy volleys you missed?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I played bad, I know that. I didn't play my best tennis definitely. But it happens, you know, and I hope next day I will play better. But it just didn't work. Anything didn't work today. Didn't work the serve, didn't work the baseline. The volley wasn't great. But still, you know, I was there, 7-6 in the third. Third round still not bad.
Q. Does it concern you that you could have a great Grand Slam and then not quite put enough together?
MARAT SAFIN: But the Grand Slam, I play much better because I think is five sets so I have time, you know, to get into the match and I have more chances to win the match. Five sets, is long way to go. And here is you have one break and you are basically down a set and you have to be careful in the second set. So, it's very difficult for me to play three-set matches than the five sets.
Q. Tell me something about your new coach.
MARAT SAFIN: The guy is, you know, we're working. We just started to work. So maybe it will not work, maybe it will work. So who knows. But I have to give him some time, you know. And if it's not working, is not a problem because he's still my manager and it's -- I will stay friend with him. But I need to give him some time, you know, to get to know each other better and see if it works or not. For the moment, I don't think it's working. But I have to give some time.
Q. Did Mats impart some mental things to you during your time with him?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, but you have to understand by yourself that what you need in your game, that what you would love to be in the future. Because I don't think that when I am going to be 26 or 27 I would love to run in the sun like when it's 30 degrees and just play from the baseline. So I have to improve my volley. So at the end, I would definitely change my game, you know, to more serve and volley. It's gonna be difficult to play from the baseline, definitely, when you're 26, 27. You don't have so much energy anymore. You want to play fast points. So, I would have to change.
Q. Pete Sampras, throughout his career, narrow focus on tennis, nothing but tennis. Can you possibly be like that?
MARAT SAFIN: No. No way. No way, no way. No way. I love tennis, but not like, you know, I like to enjoy my life. It would be a pity to spend my best - probably best years of my life just living with tennis. It would be the biggest mistake in my life. And I like to enjoy my life. I'm having fun on the court. I love to play tennis. I love to practice, you know - not much, but still, I am trying to do my job, and I like it. But only tennis, definitely not.
Q. How important are Grand Slams to you weighed against the other things in your life?
MARAT SAFIN: Grand Slams is the biggest thing that can happen to you. If you win the Grand Slam, you are just -- it -- anything can't be better. The Grand Slam is the best, the best feeling when you're winning a Grand Slam. It just give you so much confidence and you're having great time because it's two weeks. And it's like five sets, and every match is like, you know, big-time. Because you're on your way to win a huge, huge price, being a Grand Slam champion.
Q. There are so many good players out there, like this young player today, that maybe unless you focus all your energy into your tennis, maybe you can't win anymore Grand Slams. What do you think?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't think so. I don't think so. I don't think that you have to destroy your life just because of tennis. I think it doesn't make any damage living your life and doing your job on the court. Because your job you're doing, it takes how many days to practice? Two, three hours, okay, yeah? Definitely. You cannot practice a lot during the tournament because it's very hard, because you have to play the next day. So you play one hour, one hour and a half, you go to the gym, make it two hours, I don't know. Two to three hours. Let's put it this way, three hours a day. The rest of the day, what you are doing? You have to stay at home. Watching stupid TV? That's it? That's all the thing can give? Is boring. It's very boring. I am 22 years old. I want to enjoy my life. I am living right on the beach, Miami Beach. I am having so much fun. So why I have to change my way of life? I like it. I love it. Sorry.
Q. What else do you love to do? Beside tennis, what do you like the most?
MARAT SAFIN: I mean, it's my personal. It's too personal.
Q. Too personal?
MARAT SAFIN: Too personal.
Q. Is there anything you wouldn't be embarrassed about telling us?
MARAT SAFIN: No, because I don't think that everybody has to know what I like to do. That's what I'm telling you it's something personal. I don't like to share it. That's it. Sorry, I like, like everybody, I go to cinema, do things. But there is something that just secret. Confidential.
Q. Probably next, Pete Sampras.
MARAT SAFIN: I would love to. I'm doing everything as possible to get there. But also to live my life.
Q. Want Pete to stay on the court this time?
MARAT SAFIN: We'll see.
Q. Would you rather play Pete or would you rather play Gonzalez?
MARAT SAFIN: I would love to play Gonzalez, but Pete, I think he's -- with him I have quite good results. In Indian Wells he make some finals I think? Or semifinals, no? Indian Wells? Indian Wells, I don't know what he make. But I think semifinals, so he's in good shape. Is a tough, tough player. But you never know. Last time I beat him in Australia, so we'll see. I don't know. Whatever it comes.
Q. Marat, if you play Pete, the match is probably 7 o'clock, Stadium Court, lights are on, TV cameras. Is this what you crave, one of the things you live for, big moments like that?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, you have to live this big moments, you know. It's very nice to go out of the court so probably we gonna play in the evening, I think so, no?
Q. Will you play better under those conditions?
MARAT SAFIN: I think it's better also because it's gonna be full stadium I think. It's gonna be a lot of people, right? It's probably good match for the spectators. TV, you know, it's gonna be great atmosphere. So it helps you - a lot - the atmosphere on the court helps your game definitely. Is not boring, it's gonna be fun. It's playing against big guy. You have to play well. It gives you a lot of motivation.
Q. What about today. The crowd wasn't big, but it was very lively for your opponent.
MARAT SAFIN: Today when I went into the court, it was like ten people maybe? So it was like, you know, you working at 11 o'clock in the morning. But then it's -- it was much better, the time. So third set it was quite a lot of people.
Q. Can you hear the crowd rooting for your opponent? Does it help -- does it bother you or does it help you when it roots for you, or do you block it out?
MARAT SAFIN: I mean when the people are coming to watch tennis and they are enjoying it, you enjoy it also. You know, it's just -- because I am playing for the spectators. If they're having fun, it's great. I'm feeling much better. I'm playing much better. And also when they are cheering for me, then it's too good. It makes your game easier.
Q. Marat, because you have, you know, this well-rounded life , were you able to put the Australian Open loss behind you quickly?
MARAT SAFIN: That's what I'm trying to do, I'm trying to forget. It's a bad lose, not a good memory. It's not a good memory to lose on your birthday, being the favorite. It happens. I'm just 22. I have many years to play, many chances to win a Grand Slam. I think I will forget about this quite soon.
Q. How much does Davis Cup mean to you?
MARAT SAFIN: This year, too much. Because first of all, we are playing everything at home. Every -- match is going to be in Moscow. Yevgeny wants to retire. He wants to retire only in the case we gonna win Davis Cup.
Q. He told you you have to play your best all year?
MARAT SAFIN: Yes. Yes. I am responsible also for this.
Q. You're going to drive him into retirement?
MARAT SAFIN: I will give him a present.
Q. Don't you think he's too young to retire?
MARAT SAFIN: He's done a great career, ten years? How many years has he been in Top 10? Since he was 21. He's 28. He spend seven years Top 10, two Grand Slams winner, Olympic champion, 21 tournament singles titles, no? 21 singles titles? 21 doubles titles. That's quite good. He's from old generation, and it's really, really good. I would love to have the same career like him. It's good. And I think it's the perfect way to retire, being in the still up in the Top 10, and you're just retired. That's going to be perfect. Winning the Davis Cup.
Q. Your philosophy about life in general, do you think it applies to most Russian tennis players?
MARAT SAFIN: My philosophy of life? If I am thinking like typical Russian? What do you mean?
Q. Yeah.
MARAT SAFIN: No, I don't think so. Because I spend too many years -- I am more European, I would say. I would say. I would say so, because I spend eight years in Spain since I was 14. So, I cannot be typical Russian. And I am proud of it, that I am not typical Russian.
Q. You might have talked about this, because I came in late; I apologize.
MARAT SAFIN: That's okay.
Q. The difference today in the match and how you think you did, talk about the tiebreaker. Unless you did already.
MARAT SAFIN: I played bad. I think you noticed this. And just it wasn't my day. But I was there, I fight. I try to do all my best. I try to do serve and volley, even if didn't work at all. But still I was there and I had opportunities at 4-3 serving, 6-5 serving for the match. And I lost them. I just start to play really good the tiebreak. I'm not satisfied with my game, but I'm satisfied with my win, the way I fought today. Definitely.
2002 NASDAQ-100 OPEN
KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA
March 25, 2002
M. SAFIN/L. Horna
3-6, 6-3, 7-6
An Interview With:
MARAT SAFIN
THE MODERATOR: Questions for Marat, please.
Q. I know you're much better than this. When are you going to get some consistency in your game?
MARAT SAFIN: It's difficult. I didn't play well today; I know that. I almost lost my match. I had big opportunities, you know, 4-3, serving -- with a serve. 6-5, serving for the match. Just bad game. But I was there, still was there. I fight and eventually, in the tiebreaker, I could finish it.
Q. You did fight today. But those easy volleys you missed?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I played bad, I know that. I didn't play my best tennis definitely. But it happens, you know, and I hope next day I will play better. But it just didn't work. Anything didn't work today. Didn't work the serve, didn't work the baseline. The volley wasn't great. But still, you know, I was there, 7-6 in the third. Third round still not bad.
Q. Does it concern you that you could have a great Grand Slam and then not quite put enough together?
MARAT SAFIN: But the Grand Slam, I play much better because I think is five sets so I have time, you know, to get into the match and I have more chances to win the match. Five sets, is long way to go. And here is you have one break and you are basically down a set and you have to be careful in the second set. So, it's very difficult for me to play three-set matches than the five sets.
Q. Tell me something about your new coach.
MARAT SAFIN: The guy is, you know, we're working. We just started to work. So maybe it will not work, maybe it will work. So who knows. But I have to give him some time, you know. And if it's not working, is not a problem because he's still my manager and it's -- I will stay friend with him. But I need to give him some time, you know, to get to know each other better and see if it works or not. For the moment, I don't think it's working. But I have to give some time.
Q. Did Mats impart some mental things to you during your time with him?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, but you have to understand by yourself that what you need in your game, that what you would love to be in the future. Because I don't think that when I am going to be 26 or 27 I would love to run in the sun like when it's 30 degrees and just play from the baseline. So I have to improve my volley. So at the end, I would definitely change my game, you know, to more serve and volley. It's gonna be difficult to play from the baseline, definitely, when you're 26, 27. You don't have so much energy anymore. You want to play fast points. So, I would have to change.
Q. Pete Sampras, throughout his career, narrow focus on tennis, nothing but tennis. Can you possibly be like that?
MARAT SAFIN: No. No way. No way, no way. No way. I love tennis, but not like, you know, I like to enjoy my life. It would be a pity to spend my best - probably best years of my life just living with tennis. It would be the biggest mistake in my life. And I like to enjoy my life. I'm having fun on the court. I love to play tennis. I love to practice, you know - not much, but still, I am trying to do my job, and I like it. But only tennis, definitely not.
Q. How important are Grand Slams to you weighed against the other things in your life?
MARAT SAFIN: Grand Slams is the biggest thing that can happen to you. If you win the Grand Slam, you are just -- it -- anything can't be better. The Grand Slam is the best, the best feeling when you're winning a Grand Slam. It just give you so much confidence and you're having great time because it's two weeks. And it's like five sets, and every match is like, you know, big-time. Because you're on your way to win a huge, huge price, being a Grand Slam champion.
Q. There are so many good players out there, like this young player today, that maybe unless you focus all your energy into your tennis, maybe you can't win anymore Grand Slams. What do you think?
MARAT SAFIN: I don't think so. I don't think so. I don't think that you have to destroy your life just because of tennis. I think it doesn't make any damage living your life and doing your job on the court. Because your job you're doing, it takes how many days to practice? Two, three hours, okay, yeah? Definitely. You cannot practice a lot during the tournament because it's very hard, because you have to play the next day. So you play one hour, one hour and a half, you go to the gym, make it two hours, I don't know. Two to three hours. Let's put it this way, three hours a day. The rest of the day, what you are doing? You have to stay at home. Watching stupid TV? That's it? That's all the thing can give? Is boring. It's very boring. I am 22 years old. I want to enjoy my life. I am living right on the beach, Miami Beach. I am having so much fun. So why I have to change my way of life? I like it. I love it. Sorry.
Q. What else do you love to do? Beside tennis, what do you like the most?
MARAT SAFIN: I mean, it's my personal. It's too personal.
Q. Too personal?
MARAT SAFIN: Too personal.
Q. Is there anything you wouldn't be embarrassed about telling us?
MARAT SAFIN: No, because I don't think that everybody has to know what I like to do. That's what I'm telling you it's something personal. I don't like to share it. That's it. Sorry, I like, like everybody, I go to cinema, do things. But there is something that just secret. Confidential.
Q. Probably next, Pete Sampras.
MARAT SAFIN: I would love to. I'm doing everything as possible to get there. But also to live my life.
Q. Want Pete to stay on the court this time?
MARAT SAFIN: We'll see.
Q. Would you rather play Pete or would you rather play Gonzalez?
MARAT SAFIN: I would love to play Gonzalez, but Pete, I think he's -- with him I have quite good results. In Indian Wells he make some finals I think? Or semifinals, no? Indian Wells? Indian Wells, I don't know what he make. But I think semifinals, so he's in good shape. Is a tough, tough player. But you never know. Last time I beat him in Australia, so we'll see. I don't know. Whatever it comes.
Q. Marat, if you play Pete, the match is probably 7 o'clock, Stadium Court, lights are on, TV cameras. Is this what you crave, one of the things you live for, big moments like that?
MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, you have to live this big moments, you know. It's very nice to go out of the court so probably we gonna play in the evening, I think so, no?
Q. Will you play better under those conditions?
MARAT SAFIN: I think it's better also because it's gonna be full stadium I think. It's gonna be a lot of people, right? It's probably good match for the spectators. TV, you know, it's gonna be great atmosphere. So it helps you - a lot - the atmosphere on the court helps your game definitely. Is not boring, it's gonna be fun. It's playing against big guy. You have to play well. It gives you a lot of motivation.
Q. What about today. The crowd wasn't big, but it was very lively for your opponent.
MARAT SAFIN: Today when I went into the court, it was like ten people maybe? So it was like, you know, you working at 11 o'clock in the morning. But then it's -- it was much better, the time. So third set it was quite a lot of people.
Q. Can you hear the crowd rooting for your opponent? Does it help -- does it bother you or does it help you when it roots for you, or do you block it out?
MARAT SAFIN: I mean when the people are coming to watch tennis and they are enjoying it, you enjoy it also. You know, it's just -- because I am playing for the spectators. If they're having fun, it's great. I'm feeling much better. I'm playing much better. And also when they are cheering for me, then it's too good. It makes your game easier.
Q. Marat, because you have, you know, this well-rounded life , were you able to put the Australian Open loss behind you quickly?
MARAT SAFIN: That's what I'm trying to do, I'm trying to forget. It's a bad lose, not a good memory. It's not a good memory to lose on your birthday, being the favorite. It happens. I'm just 22. I have many years to play, many chances to win a Grand Slam. I think I will forget about this quite soon.
Q. How much does Davis Cup mean to you?
MARAT SAFIN: This year, too much. Because first of all, we are playing everything at home. Every -- match is going to be in Moscow. Yevgeny wants to retire. He wants to retire only in the case we gonna win Davis Cup.
Q. He told you you have to play your best all year?
MARAT SAFIN: Yes. Yes. I am responsible also for this.
Q. You're going to drive him into retirement?
MARAT SAFIN: I will give him a present.
Q. Don't you think he's too young to retire?
MARAT SAFIN: He's done a great career, ten years? How many years has he been in Top 10? Since he was 21. He's 28. He spend seven years Top 10, two Grand Slams winner, Olympic champion, 21 tournament singles titles, no? 21 singles titles? 21 doubles titles. That's quite good. He's from old generation, and it's really, really good. I would love to have the same career like him. It's good. And I think it's the perfect way to retire, being in the still up in the Top 10, and you're just retired. That's going to be perfect. Winning the Davis Cup.
Q. Your philosophy about life in general, do you think it applies to most Russian tennis players?
MARAT SAFIN: My philosophy of life? If I am thinking like typical Russian? What do you mean?
Q. Yeah.
MARAT SAFIN: No, I don't think so. Because I spend too many years -- I am more European, I would say. I would say. I would say so, because I spend eight years in Spain since I was 14. So, I cannot be typical Russian. And I am proud of it, that I am not typical Russian.
Q. You might have talked about this, because I came in late; I apologize.
MARAT SAFIN: That's okay.
Q. The difference today in the match and how you think you did, talk about the tiebreaker. Unless you did already.
MARAT SAFIN: I played bad. I think you noticed this. And just it wasn't my day. But I was there, I fight. I try to do all my best. I try to do serve and volley, even if didn't work at all. But still I was there and I had opportunities at 4-3 serving, 6-5 serving for the match. And I lost them. I just start to play really good the tiebreak. I'm not satisfied with my game, but I'm satisfied with my win, the way I fought today. Definitely.
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