Safin's lack of reserve a refreshing change
Aug. 3, 2002. 01:28 PM Damien Cox
At this point in his career, Marat Safin may be his own worst enemy.
But he may also be the best friend tennis could possibly have.
Forget his awesome talent, talent that wasn't sufficient to get him past upset-minded Argentine Guillermo Canas yesterday and into today's semi-finals at the Tennis Masters Canada 2002.
It's the splash of colour the 20-year-old Russian brings to the court that makes him such an asset at a time when many observers suggest the men's game has less appeal than the women's side of the sport and is in danger of being flooded with robotic baseliners at the same time stars like Pete Sampras, Patrick Rafter and, eventually, Andre Agassi fade away.
Yesterday, in losing 7-5, 6-3 to Canas, Safin wore his emotions on his sleeve during the match, and seemed to come unglued to some degree as he tempestuously tossed racquets, argued line calls and, at one point, kissed the net cord as if to ask it to treat his shots more generously.
In his post-game interview, which seemed more like a heartfelt confession of sorts, Safin worried aloud over the state of his game despite being ranked No. 2 in the world, and seemed to indicate he's been having a major crisis of confidence since getting to the final of a Hamburg tournament in mid-May.
"I have to look for solutions, and I have to look quickly," said Safin. "Otherwise, I will go crazy."
Earlier, he lambasted himself for "having no balls" against Canas, essentially letting the lower-ranked player dictate the match in sweltering conditions at centre court.
"I feel so pathetic," said Safin. "I'm just laughing at myself."
All of this, it should be noted, was not uttered in a shower of tears or in a stormy rage, but with a relaxed, bemused attitude. Safin, it seemed, was answering questions openly and honestly, actually relating his inner emotions to an audience of captivated media members.
"I can't explain how frustrated I am," he said. "It just makes me feel so pissed, I can't describe it. (Canas) is a big fighter and I knew he would give everything. But I had so many chances to do something and I didn't do anything. I was waiting for a mistake.
"I had to go for it sometimes, and I didn't go. I just felt the train was running away and I couldn't catch it."
Any hacker, of course, could sympathize with those emotions, an inability to deliver their best play at their level in a tournament, even a lowly club event. While weekend players can't relate to the often-spectacular manner in which Safin launches his 6-foot-4 frame around the court, they can relate to his feelings and emotions in the same way many have often connected with Agassi, but not Sampras.
To be sure, Safin's repeated racquet throwing is childish, and he probably didn't give enough credit yesterday to Canas, who battled through a right wrist injury and was more creative at critical junctures.
Up 6-5 in the opening set with Safin serving and the game tied 15-15, Canas finessed a tricky volley that grazed the net cord for an untouchable winner. On set point, he made a similar shot on the other side of the court, this time on a near-impossible half-volley off a Safin passing attempt.
With the second set tied 1-1, Canas created a perfect top-spin lob over Safin's head to win the third game and pull ahead for keeps.
Thus ended Safin's quest to regain the title he won in 2000 and follow up the first WTA tournament victory by his 16-year-old sister, Dinara Safina, last week in Poland with one of his own in Canada.
Venus and Serena, it would seem, don't have to worry quite yet about being challenged as the top sibling combo in tennis.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aug. 3, 2002. 01:28 PM Damien Cox
At this point in his career, Marat Safin may be his own worst enemy.
But he may also be the best friend tennis could possibly have.
Forget his awesome talent, talent that wasn't sufficient to get him past upset-minded Argentine Guillermo Canas yesterday and into today's semi-finals at the Tennis Masters Canada 2002.
It's the splash of colour the 20-year-old Russian brings to the court that makes him such an asset at a time when many observers suggest the men's game has less appeal than the women's side of the sport and is in danger of being flooded with robotic baseliners at the same time stars like Pete Sampras, Patrick Rafter and, eventually, Andre Agassi fade away.
Yesterday, in losing 7-5, 6-3 to Canas, Safin wore his emotions on his sleeve during the match, and seemed to come unglued to some degree as he tempestuously tossed racquets, argued line calls and, at one point, kissed the net cord as if to ask it to treat his shots more generously.
In his post-game interview, which seemed more like a heartfelt confession of sorts, Safin worried aloud over the state of his game despite being ranked No. 2 in the world, and seemed to indicate he's been having a major crisis of confidence since getting to the final of a Hamburg tournament in mid-May.
"I have to look for solutions, and I have to look quickly," said Safin. "Otherwise, I will go crazy."
Earlier, he lambasted himself for "having no balls" against Canas, essentially letting the lower-ranked player dictate the match in sweltering conditions at centre court.
"I feel so pathetic," said Safin. "I'm just laughing at myself."
All of this, it should be noted, was not uttered in a shower of tears or in a stormy rage, but with a relaxed, bemused attitude. Safin, it seemed, was answering questions openly and honestly, actually relating his inner emotions to an audience of captivated media members.
"I can't explain how frustrated I am," he said. "It just makes me feel so pissed, I can't describe it. (Canas) is a big fighter and I knew he would give everything. But I had so many chances to do something and I didn't do anything. I was waiting for a mistake.
"I had to go for it sometimes, and I didn't go. I just felt the train was running away and I couldn't catch it."
Any hacker, of course, could sympathize with those emotions, an inability to deliver their best play at their level in a tournament, even a lowly club event. While weekend players can't relate to the often-spectacular manner in which Safin launches his 6-foot-4 frame around the court, they can relate to his feelings and emotions in the same way many have often connected with Agassi, but not Sampras.
To be sure, Safin's repeated racquet throwing is childish, and he probably didn't give enough credit yesterday to Canas, who battled through a right wrist injury and was more creative at critical junctures.
Up 6-5 in the opening set with Safin serving and the game tied 15-15, Canas finessed a tricky volley that grazed the net cord for an untouchable winner. On set point, he made a similar shot on the other side of the court, this time on a near-impossible half-volley off a Safin passing attempt.
With the second set tied 1-1, Canas created a perfect top-spin lob over Safin's head to win the third game and pull ahead for keeps.
Thus ended Safin's quest to regain the title he won in 2000 and follow up the first WTA tournament victory by his 16-year-old sister, Dinara Safina, last week in Poland with one of his own in Canada.
Venus and Serena, it would seem, don't have to worry quite yet about being challenged as the top sibling combo in tennis.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------