So, this is apparently is, Safin's last year is upon us.

Kobble · 01-21-2009, 12:01 AM

I feel pretty sad if he is really serious. If he is, the least he could do is thump Federer for the last time. However, I can't say I blame Safin. Results aside, the world seems to suck right now (economically, ecologically, and even the general attitude). I was at Miami the last two years and it felt like ****. Very little heart, soul and class left to enjoy, so it seems. I don't think I would want to be out playing in an environment like that; that isn't what kids dream of. Marat seems to feel he needs a change. The change is probably necessary due to the unsatisfactory feeling you get from participating in many traditional activities anymore. Top it off with how fast you are forgotten despite achievements of a lifetime (Sampras), and it can take the wind you. I wish Safin the best, no matter what. I only have two signatures of tennis players, and Safin is one, Kuerten is the other. I believe he is a genuine person, a supreme talent, and will be a legend people talk about for many more years.

tennis_hand · 01-21-2009, 12:44 AM

when Fed meets Safin, we will find how large the gap is between them.

Safin is no longer the Safin who won the AO.

Aldi Patron · 01-21-2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tennis_hand

when Fed meets Safin, we will find how large the gap is between them.

Safin is no longer the Safin who won the AO.

Yes, but was the Safin who won the AO the Safin who won the USO? Wrap your head around that.

Seany · 01-21-2009, 04:50 AM

Like him or not, tennis will never be the same without him.

luckyboy1300 · 01-21-2009, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aldi Patron

Yes, but was the Safin who won the AO the Safin who won the USO? Wrap your head around that.

the safin who won the ao is a lot better than the safin who won the uso.

thalivest · 01-21-2009, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aldi Patron

Yes, but was the Safin who won the AO the Safin who won the USO? Wrap your head around that.

Safin's in and out prime as a tennis player was 2000-2005. So yes I would say pretty much. The two best matches he ever played in his career by far were the 2000 U.S Open final and 2005 Australian Open semis. There isnt a world of difference between a players best match ever or their second best match ever, and if you are insistent there is it is basically the same as admiting the former was a total fluke for there to be that big a gap to your 2nd best match ever.

Puma · 01-21-2009, 06:19 AM

It will be a sad day when he is gone. He is one of my most favorite players to watch. You never know what he is going to do. Supreme talent, big hitter, the whole thing. One day he looks like a tennis god the next he hits it sideways. Fun to watch..... He is no robot like many others out there.

Gugafan · 01-21-2009, 07:14 AM

He has not officially announced any retirment plans. It's credible that he has managed to get his ranking back inside the top 30. Things looked bleak when he was out of the top 100 due to the knee injury.

Safin is still one of the few effortless ball strikers in the game. He has done well compared to the generation of players during his era (Haas, Moya, Ferrero and Hewitt), who are all struggling currently.

shintan17 · 01-21-2009, 07:28 AM

I hope he stays for another 5 years. I will miss him if he really decides to retire after this year.

GS · 01-21-2009, 07:41 AM

With his head on straight, yes, he's an amazing ball striker. If he retires, I'll miss his great racquet demolitions---2 smacks to the ground and it's gone. Just hope he's got a good money manager for his future, unlike other athletes who have gone broke later on.

GameSampras · 01-21-2009, 07:53 AM

Good... Im glad..

Im sick of a seeing a player with all the talent in the world gone to waste, playing tennis on my tv screen. Makes me wish a young hungry up and comer had that talent

Teamtomo · 01-21-2009, 07:56 AM

Tennis will miss Safin.

veroniquem · 01-21-2009, 08:11 AM

It's a shame he didn't commit more to his sport, he could have had a much better career. He seems to lack ambition. When Fowler asked him yesterday if he thought he could beat Federer, he replied "it's impossible!", not a very confident approach to his game if you ask me...

GameSampras · 01-21-2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veroniquem

It's a shame he didn't commit more to his sport, he could have had a much better career. He seems to lack ambition. When Fowler asked him yesterday if he thought he could beat Federer, he replied "it's impossible!", not a very confident approach to his game if you ask me...

Then why play Safin.. Just forfeit. Who wants to see u go out there and watch u half *** it. And its impossible? What happened at this very tournament 5 years ago..

Safin has serious mental issues. I would prefer an alternate play Federer. Not that idiot

veroniquem · 01-21-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GameSampras

Then why play Safin.. Just forfeit. Who wants to see u go out there and watch u half *** it. And its impossible? What happened at this very tournament 5 years ago..

Safin has serious mental issues. I would prefer an alternate play Federer. Not that idiot

Safin just looked like he didn't believe in it and he couldn't care less anyway. That's depressing, why even show up with such a defeatist mentality? You can only hope he's bluffing but I have my doubts about that...

Aldi Patron · 01-21-2009, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thalivest

Safin's in and out prime as a tennis player was 2000-2005. So yes I would say pretty much. The two best matches he ever played in his career by far were the 2000 U.S Open final and 2005 Australian Open semis. There isnt a world of difference between a players best match ever or their second best match ever, and if you are insistent there is it is basically the same as admiting the former was a total fluke for there to be that big a gap to your 2nd best match ever.

The only thing I meant by my reply was that Safin is so wildly incosistent (or consistent at being inconsistent) that other than 2000, he never really had a prime, and so it's pointless to say he's no longer the Safin who won the AO.

It'd be a tough stretch to call the 2000s US Open win a fluke because of his results that year.

rommil · 01-21-2009, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GameSampras

Then why play Safin.. Just forfeit. Who wants to see u go out there and watch u half *** it. And its impossible? What happened at this very tournament 5 years ago..

Safin has serious mental issues. I would prefer an alternate play Federer. Not that idiot

The same idiot that disemboweled Sampras in front of the New York crowd? Safin is Safin. He will talk like that and play the way he does. He might look like a tortured soul on court but I feel like after all is said and done, he gets to walk away saying he did it his way. Tennis and life.

oranges · 01-21-2009, 08:27 AM

One of the guys I'll miss the most.

For those eager to bash the guy that gave all of us, not just his fans, some of the best tennis moments ever, here's what he had to say on the coming match: http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/...511761484.html

Quote:

Q. You're likely to have a match against Roger Federer if results go as expected. Fond memories of playing him obviously here.

MARAT SAFIN: I'm looking forward. I have nothing to worry about. I'm going to play my match. We know each other pretty well. He knows how to play against me; I know how to play against him.

Unfortunately I didn't win a lot of matches against him, but I'm looking forward. It's another chance. I have nothing to lose. I'm going to go for it. Whatever comes, comes.

You expected more from him, failed to live to your expectations, beat some guys when you didn't want him after that, what impudence, let's burn him at a stake for all of it and pretend the tour would have been better without him

GameSampras · 01-21-2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rommil

The same idiot that disemboweled Sampras in front of the New York crowd? Safin is Safin. He will talk like that and play the way he does. He might look like a tortured soul on court but I feel like after all is said and done, he gets to walk away saying he did it his way. Tennis and life.

And we saw how Safin defended his USO championship in 2001 didnt we? Oops thats right Sampras destroyed him in straight sets. No one seems to remember that nor want to admit it. They only bring up the 00 match. How about Safin defending his titles at the USO and AO?

What is the point of even watching a Safin-Fed match where Safin is virtually saying its impossible? Since its NOT considering Fed has been beaten by a quite a few players this past year has lost some slams and ONCE by Safin. Fed isnt as dominant as he was in 05. He doesnt have the mental edge over player now than he did when Safin beat him, yet the guy still says its IMPOSSIBLE. Way to put fans interest in the match Safin. Good job.

What is this guy even playing pro tennis for if he isnt even focused on winning? He should be ashamed the way he has conducted himself over the years. What a sorry excuse of a "champion" he is

oranges · 01-21-2009, 08:31 AM

You're taking that 00 beating way to much to your heart

01-21-2009, 12:01 AM	#1
Kobble Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 2,256	So, this is apparently is, Safin's last year is upon us. I feel pretty sad if he is really serious. If he is, the least he could do is thump Federer for the last time. However, I can't say I blame Safin. Results aside, the world seems to suck right now (economically, ecologically, and even the general attitude). I was at Miami the last two years and it felt like ****. Very little heart, soul and class left to enjoy, so it seems. I don't think I would want to be out playing in an environment like that; that isn't what kids dream of. Marat seems to feel he needs a change. The change is probably necessary due to the unsatisfactory feeling you get from participating in many traditional activities anymore. Top it off with how fast you are forgotten despite achievements of a lifetime (Sampras), and it can take the wind you. I wish Safin the best, no matter what. I only have two signatures of tennis players, and Safin is one, Kuerten is the other. I believe he is a genuine person, a supreme talent, and will be a legend people talk about for many more years.

01-21-2009, 12:44 AM	#2
tennis_hand Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,394	when Fed meets Safin, we will find how large the gap is between them. Safin is no longer the Safin who won the AO. __________________ Pure Storm Tour

01-21-2009, 07:28 AM	#9
shintan17 Semi-Pro Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 770	I hope he stays for another 5 years. I will miss him if he really decides to retire after this year. __________________ Dunlop Biomimetic 200 Lite w/ SPPP 17/PSGD 16 @ 53/56. Alpha Pioneer DC Plus. TW MAC Pride!!

01-21-2009, 07:56 AM	#12
Teamtomo Semi-Pro Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 761	Tennis will miss Safin. __________________ Head Radical MP w/ Pro Hurricane Tour @56lbs Adidas Barricade 7s... adiPOWER!

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