Safin bids farewell to tennis in Paris

Marat Safin holds the key of the Bercy stadium, a farewell trophy to mark the end of his career, during BNP Masters indoor tennis tournament in Paris, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009. Safin ended his career with style with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 defeat by Juan Martin del Potro in the second round of the Paris Masters. The 29-year-old Safin, a two-time Grand Slam title winner, put on a great performance on center court Wednesday against the U.S. Open champion.

Marat Safin says goodbye to Tennis in Paris

After an amazing match with Del Potro, Marat Safin retires from tennis in his favorite tournament, Paris, Bercy.

The former champion has won this tournament 3 times before and he chose to end his career at that very same court he adored.

A great ceremony was prepared to honor our beloved Safin. Attending were great player of old times and also of the new generation who wanted to say goodbye in person.

Great words of admiration and respect were said about Marat from the big players like Federer, Nadal, Murray, Djokovic, Verdasco and many more.

see the video here: http://www.fft.fr/bnpparibasmasters/2009_en/?id=5528

goodbye Marat :)

Safin vs. Sampras, Safin Prevails again

Safin beat Sampras, 6-4, 3-6 (10-6) in the "Millennium Challenge," an exhibition match on the opening day of the Los Angeles Tennis Open at UCLA's Los Angeles Tennis Center on Monday.

It was a rematch of the 2000 U.S. Open final, where Safin beat Sampras, the L.A. Open tournament honoree, to earn the first of his two Grand Slam titles.

Pete Sampras can still serve more than 120 miles per hour and challenges calls as if they mattered, but in the end, as in 2000, Marat Safin prevailed.

"We're kind of looking backwards, and it's really a warm feeling when [you have] an achievement like beating Sampras in the final of U.S. Open," said Safin.

The Russian also won the doubles first round with Igor Kunitsyn agianst Marcus Baghdatis and Dudi Sela, 6-7, 6-2, 11-9.

Marat is scheduled to play Ginepri in the evening session on Tuesday 28th.

Marat Safin vs. Pete Sampras "Millennium Challenge"

Pete Sampras, the 14-time Grand Slam Champion who held the No. 1 ranking for a record 286 weeks, will return to the LA Tennis Center at UCLA this summer for the "Millennium Challenge".

Sampras, a two-time LA Tennis Open will take the court on opening night, July 27, for the "Millennium Challenge," a rematch of the 2000 US Open final against Russian Marat Safin. Safin claimed the first of his two career Grand Slam titles with that win over Sampras in New York, and holds a 4-3 edge over the American in professional matches. Safin won their last meeting, which came in the fourth round of the 2002 Australian Open.

In addition to this Monday night match against Sampras, Safin will play in the main draw of the LA Tennis Open. It will be the sixth appearance for the Russian in the tournament, having gone 6-5 with two quarterfinals in his previous efforts in LA. A former World No. 1, the 2000 US Open and 2005 Australian Open are among Safin's 15 career titles.

here's a link for an interview with Marat on July 22nd regarding this match

Safin exits Roland Garros for final time interview

"I cannot say I played my best tennis. Definitely not. Far away from that," said Safin, a two-time major champion who has only once come back to win from two sets down. "It was disappointing, a little bit, you know, trying and trying and trying and trying."

Safin erased three match points, including when Ouanna sent a backhand into the net in the last game. Moments later, Safin sent a forehand wide to end it.

"He played good," said Safin, who reached the semifinals at Roland Garros in 2002 but lost in the second round the past two years. "Even though ... he almost lost this match. Christmas is today and not the 25th of December."

Safin has a history of making history -- smashing rackets, setting balls sailing into the crowd, and even dropping his shorts during a match at the French Open, and complaining about the cost of spaghetti at Wimbledon.

On Wednesday, he riled the local fans after sending an easy forehand into the net while serving at 5-6. Disgusted with himself, Safin was preparing for his next serve when he lost control of the ball while bouncing it. He then nervously -- even angrily -- started kicking away dirt from just inside the baseline.

The crowd booed heartily, but forgave and forgot once the match was over, sending Safin off to the locker room with a loud round of applause.

"I'm not a bad boy, but hopefully I can change the thing that not a lot of tennis players have managed, to have a great life afterwards with tennis," Safin said of his future. "With all due respect, I want to try to be the guy who ends up doing something else and be good at it."

No Good News! Marat Safin Continues

One loss after another, that's what Marat is doing now. after the devastating games in Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid, Marat lost again in second round of Roland Garros to Josselin Ouanna in an epic match.

Marat dropped the first 2 sets in tie breaks but he regained his confidence and won the following 2 sets 6-4, 6-3.

in the last set Marat lost himself again and struggled to lose the match 8-10 in the final set.

for over than 4 hours the match was going either way but the final word wasn't Marat's after all.

I don't know why this keeps happening. Marat you are the best. you have everything. we all love you. you just need to love yourself. stop being negative and have faith.

I'm sure that anyone who loves Marat the way I do is crushed down the way I am.

when will he be back? when will he be himself again?

Nobody knows, but we will be waiting.

Marat Safin WE LOVE YOU.

Marat Safin retires YES or NO complete interview

After losing in the 1st round in the last tournament of the year, Marat mentioned that he was thinking about what was in his future regarding tennis and this was picked up by the media and has spread a lot of speculation around the world.
In order to try and get a better idea of what Marat is thinking, we spoke to him before he left for his vacation.

Q: How do you feel right now?
A: I'm very tired. I guess after so many years on the tour, when you finish the season, you feel very tired and can't wait to get away and also I need it in order to take the right decision.

Q: Where do you plan to go?
A: I'm going this week to Miami and in a couple of weeks when I am back in Moscow, I will be wiser and more concrete about my plans.

Q: Can you please clear a little bit the confusion that is around about what you were talking about in the press conference after losing your 1st round match?
A: I actually said nothing in particular, I was just talking generally and I don't really know where all these rumours came from. All I said was that I am tired and I need some time off in order to make some good decisions.

Q: You can understand how your many fans are feeling these days. Can you clarify more about the various options and your wishes?
A: I have been playing professional tennis for over a decade. Its hard for me to find new goals for my career however the love for the game and the passion inside me are still very strong and that is why it makes it more difficult. There are still places where I would like to play, to be able to meet my fans and say goodbye properly to the many people who have followed me through out these last years.
I'm considering to play for one more year. I am also considering maybe to stop completely and then another option is to particularly play mostly in the places and tournaments which I really like and that had a tremendous impact on my career. That's why I need some time off to think it through properly, to talk to my my long time partners and sponsors and then I'll be able to hopefully make a better decision.

Q: We wish you a great vacation and there is no need to mention how much all of us would like to see you on the court playing your great tennis.
A: Thank you so much. This is all part of my consideration.
I ask you all not to listen to the rumors flying around and I promise to all my fans that they will hear from me directly once I make up my mind.
I wish you all happy vacations.

Marat Safin announces Retiring from tennis!

Marat Safin, one of the most colorful figures in tennis, said on Monday he was considering his future in the game after his first round loss at the Paris Masters Series.

Marat Safin has confirmed he is considering retiring from tennis after his season ended in the first round of the Paris Masters.

Former world number one Safin stumbled out of the final Masters Series event when he lost 6-0 7-6 (7-4) against Argentine qualifier Juan Monaco in the first round on Monday.

And the 28-year-old Russian told reporters he needs to think over his future in the sport after criticising the lack of time off available to players.

"I need to enjoy my life without tennis, I will see if I continue," Safin said.

"I need to think it through. I will see, it was too intense these last three years. We will see. I have no pressure, nothing to show, nothing to prove.

"If I feel like I want to continue to play I will - if not it will be over."

The Russian, who won the Paris indoor tournament three times, picked up his game too late to unsettle Monaco, who will next meet French 16th seed Gael Monfils.

Safin lost the first eight games and notably served four double faults in a single game as Monaco was cantering through the match.

The former U.S. and Australian Open champion got himself together when 2-0 down in the second set, and double faults turned into aces.

Safin broke back for 2-2 and both players then held serve until the tiebreak, which Monaco took 7-4 when Safin sent a forehand long.

"I had my opportunities but unfortunately it was a bit too late already because the guy started to play well and started to feel much more comfortable on the court," said Safin.

"I just don't know what happened. I just couldn't find my rhythm. I didn't take my chances," the two-time Grand Slam winner added.

"I didn't take my chances, that's why the score is 6-0 7-6."

Safin will not improve his position in the rankings and it is no secret he does not feel comfortable with the situation.

"It's a little bit uncomfortable to find yourself in the top 10 for many years and (then) to find yourself ranked 70th and 30 and 50 and outside of the hundreds," he said.

"It's not really a comfortable position.

"I've been struggling throughout my career with injuries, left and right," he added, referring to knee injuries that hampered his 2005 and 2006 seasons.

Although he does not yet know whether he will play professional tennis next year, Safin already knows where he will spend his holidays.

"Yeah, I'm already flying to Miami," he said.