Ultimate Finish
Ask Champion Marat Safin about his 2007 climbing excursion of Tibetan mountain Cho Oyu and his eyes sparkle – the same sparkle he once had when he spoke of tennis. But after 10 years on tour, Marat’s passion for the sport has subsided. The Russian is in search of a new endeavor and will retire at the end of this season.
Marat Safin was born in Moscow and began playing tennis at age six under the coaching of his mother, a former player once ranked as high as number five in the USSR. At age 14, with the sponsorship of a Swiss benefactor, his parents sent him to train in Spain. “They left me to find my life. You have to go by yourself to find out what you are in the world,” Marat said.
Safin’s training prepared him well and when he turned pro in 1997 he experienced early success. However, at the turn of 2000, he struggled to win matches. When the ATP charged him a fine for tanking – not trying hard enough to win matches – Safin considered quitting the sport. Then, an unexpected victory over Pete Sampras at the 2000 US Open catapulted him to fame.
“Even the transportation desk, they didn't know me until semifinal; I called everyday during two weeks and they didn't know me,” he admitted after the tournament. In November, Safin became world No. 1 and gained international stardom.
Natural talent and athleticism helped Safin win big tournaments, but a series of injuries from 2001 to 2007 kept his Grand Slam titles count to two. Tennis commentators have accused him of failing to realize his potential. Safin scoffs, “In the history of tennis, everybody's an underachiever. Everybody – every single person. Agassi should have been winning, I don't know, 15 Grand Slams. Sampras should have been winning 20 Grand Slams. Federer already should have 25.”
Attractive, witty, passionate and personable, Safin is well liked. His infamous on-court rants, self-loathing torment and racquet smashing made him one of the most emotional and entertaining players in history. “I have to push myself sometimes when I'm losing. I have to break a racquet, whatever, just throw the ball out of the court. At the end it helps me… Today I break racquets, for tomorrow we die.”
Safin’s tournament accomplishments and popularity make him a prime candidate of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. If he were to be inducted, he would be the first-ever Russian. Regardless, Marat isn’t concerned with his legacy. “They can remember me how they want. I don’t care. I’m not really thinking about it all day,” he shrugged.
After a career marked by highs and lows, Safin said he doesn’t have any regrets and he’s ready for change. “I will be doing something else in my life and hopefully I will be happy.” When asked if he will continue to climb mountains he said, “Yes, definitely.”
-Tracey DeFrancesco
