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Former Tennis Pro Given Task of Taming Safin
By REUTERS
Filed at 2:11 p.m. ET
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (Reuters) - Former tennis journeyman Denis Golovanov has landed one of the most unenviable jobs in the sport -- to tame his temperamental fellow Russian Marat Safin.
Safin's fragile temperament has come under the microscope in the past as he often erupts when things are not going according to plan -- breaking rackets for fun.
It takes a strong willed person to stand up to Safin and the world No. 7 believes Golovanov has the ideal credentials to be his coach since he ``knows the way I think.''
``You have to understand tennis but you also have to understand the personality of the player,'' said Safin, who overcame Belgium's Xavier Malisse, 7-5, 6-3, in the first round of the World Indoor Tournament Wednesday after being sidelined for a month with a wrist injury.
``He knows me really well, we've known each other for 11 years so he knows what kind of person I am and what I need and what I want.''
Safin has wasted little time in terminating the services of the numerous coaches he has hired over the years.
In fact, the fiery Russian has worked with five different coaches, including Switzerland's Marc Rosset, over the past three seasons.
Having employed Golovanov after the Paris Masters last year, Safin said: ``It's usually difficult when you hire a new coach as it takes two or three months to get to know each other ... and to see if you like each other. You need a person to trust and I trust him.''
Golovanov has certainly had his work cut out with his new charge over the past six weeks.
Safin, who admits to being ``not a very patient person'' has suffered both shoulder and wrist injuries since the new season started, which have severely curtailed his on court activities.
But after spending five years on the brutal lower tier challenger circuit, the 23-year-old Golovanov is well aware of the frustrations that go with the sport.
``I helped him (Golovanov) at the beginning of his career with some money but he found it difficult to travel on the tour by himself,'' said the 2000 U.S. Open champion.
``So I suggested why not come with me.''
By REUTERS
Filed at 2:11 p.m. ET
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (Reuters) - Former tennis journeyman Denis Golovanov has landed one of the most unenviable jobs in the sport -- to tame his temperamental fellow Russian Marat Safin.
Safin's fragile temperament has come under the microscope in the past as he often erupts when things are not going according to plan -- breaking rackets for fun.
It takes a strong willed person to stand up to Safin and the world No. 7 believes Golovanov has the ideal credentials to be his coach since he ``knows the way I think.''
``You have to understand tennis but you also have to understand the personality of the player,'' said Safin, who overcame Belgium's Xavier Malisse, 7-5, 6-3, in the first round of the World Indoor Tournament Wednesday after being sidelined for a month with a wrist injury.
``He knows me really well, we've known each other for 11 years so he knows what kind of person I am and what I need and what I want.''
Safin has wasted little time in terminating the services of the numerous coaches he has hired over the years.
In fact, the fiery Russian has worked with five different coaches, including Switzerland's Marc Rosset, over the past three seasons.
Having employed Golovanov after the Paris Masters last year, Safin said: ``It's usually difficult when you hire a new coach as it takes two or three months to get to know each other ... and to see if you like each other. You need a person to trust and I trust him.''
Golovanov has certainly had his work cut out with his new charge over the past six weeks.
Safin, who admits to being ``not a very patient person'' has suffered both shoulder and wrist injuries since the new season started, which have severely curtailed his on court activities.
But after spending five years on the brutal lower tier challenger circuit, the 23-year-old Golovanov is well aware of the frustrations that go with the sport.
``I helped him (Golovanov) at the beginning of his career with some money but he found it difficult to travel on the tour by himself,'' said the 2000 U.S. Open champion.
``So I suggested why not come with me.''