the Artist
Rookie
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2009-01-21/200901211232524245312.html
This match promises some classic tennis
This match promises some classic tennis
Interesting article preceding clash of the titans: Safin vs Federer
- Thread starter the Artist
- Start date
the Artist
Rookie
"What does it mean: "star"?" he [Safin] once said. "There is no explanation for a star. A star is in the sky, and that's it.
"I'm living my life; I'm not living the life of anybody else. I want to live my life and I'm enjoying it very much and I'm doing well and I'm playing tennis and I'm having fun and I think I have a great life. At least I made it this way. I've been trying to live this life for a long time, so why I have to change something which is not broken?"
Not as gifted as a linguist/philosopher
"I'm living my life; I'm not living the life of anybody else. I want to live my life and I'm enjoying it very much and I'm doing well and I'm playing tennis and I'm having fun and I think I have a great life. At least I made it this way. I've been trying to live this life for a long time, so why I have to change something which is not broken?"
Not as gifted as a linguist/philosopher
andrew_fernando2
New User
nice thread.
i caught this interview with fowler, espn, and enjoyed it also.
his enlgish is not polished, but he conveys his ideas well and frequently with humor and wit. and he seems to be pragmatic, introspective and accepting of his situation; which to me makes him at least a little philosophical.
--- i like the pic of "lovely, lovely, ludwig van" ---
i caught this interview with fowler, espn, and enjoyed it also.
his enlgish is not polished, but he conveys his ideas well and frequently with humor and wit. and he seems to be pragmatic, introspective and accepting of his situation; which to me makes him at least a little philosophical.
--- i like the pic of "lovely, lovely, ludwig van" ---
"What does it mean: "star"?" he [Safin] once said. "There is no explanation for a star. A star is in the sky, and that's it.
"I'm living my life; I'm not living the life of anybody else. I want to live my life and I'm enjoying it very much and I'm doing well and I'm playing tennis and I'm having fun and I think I have a great life. At least I made it this way. I've been trying to live this life for a long time, so why I have to change something which is not broken?"
Not as gifted as a linguist/philosopher
Actually, I find his words inspiring. He's comfortable with his career. Tennis is not everything to him. I can only imagine the great times he's had off the court. Looking at the various babes in his box over the years, I'd say he's made some great decisions.
0d1n
Hall of Fame
Good looking, empty headed chicks are a dime a dozen even if you're not a professional tennis player. If you're reasonably good looking/fit and more importantly reasonably successful (i.e have some cash to throw around) you will find plenty of opportunities to be around beautiful women.
This kind of "philosophy" always amazes me.
Ah...you can also "have fun" with the "various babes" after 30 years old, after you've realized your potential...if you really need to "prove something to yourself" in that regard.
I'm not saying to "see nothing but tennis" until you are 35...but you can STILL make some wise decisions and live a "healthy life" since it's your JOB to do so...instead of "having fun" and getting 2 hours sleep before a grand slam match.
There ARE some things in life that are more important than tennis...but getting YET ANOTHER chick in bed with you instead of focusing on an important match is not really my idea of "important thing" worth sacrificing for.
Andrei Pavel drove some 8 and 1/2 hours to Germany and some 6 hours back from Germany when he reached a Quarter final at Roland Garros in 2002, before having to play his quarter final match against Corretja. His reason was that his wife had just had a baby born a bit prematurely and he wanted to be with them even for a couple hours.
He had some 2 hours sleep before his match was supposed to start, but then as far as I remember there was a rain delay and he got to rest a bit more instead of playing against Corretja after that "adventure".
He still lost the match...but that kind of decision I can understand...
Sleeping 2 hours before a match because you have to spend the previous night chasing yet another chick in a club...is not what I call "getting your priorities straight".
You have plenty of time to do that after you've retired from a sport that deems you "old" @ 28-30.
My 2 pence
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You do realize most of their matches were competitive right? And that Safin tanked about 4 of those probably anyways?
I'm going have to disagree with you. Beautiful Women > Tennis. Any day of the week. Either you have your priorities wrong, or you're obviously not a man.
0d1n
Hall of Fame
I am a man, and I think you are posting in jest. If you're not, I'm going to be a bit rude now ... but you may think so because the percentage of beautiful women where you live is so small it's truly extraordinary when you find one and "score".But you see ... in Russia ... there are plenty of them. If you go to Moscow and walk around for a couple of hours ... you will see dozens if not hundreds.
Also ... what you say might be true for me and you, but then again playing tennis is not our "profession", so it is (or should be) slightly different for him.
You can be sure I don't somehow "feel sorry" for Safin and the "pathetic life" he has...I'm sure he's just fine
.But that doesn't mean I have to admire and approve some of the decisions he's apparently making (from what I read around ... especially on this forum ... I'm not actually following his "private" life).
Not that he needs my approval anyway
...I'm just giving yet another point of view.
Turning Pro
Hall of Fame
I don't even know why that was funny but classic. You're right though.
veroniquem
Bionic Poster
+1 great post! I would add that sexual addiction is not a laughing matter (despite what horny teenage boys might think!). People actually get treatment for that. Now I'm not saying that Safin falls into that category of course but compulsive girl chasing is something that can turn out as a handicap in one's life rather than a privilege.
Yeah--but what's going to change tonight? Nothing. Federer in straight sets.
bjk
Hall of Fame
I don't get why Safin, who has four Slam finals and two Slams, is considered a bust, but Phillipoussis, Nalbandian, Blake, for isntance, are not. Blake has never made it past the quarters at a Slam, and does Safin have so much more talent than Blake or Nalbandian or Flipper? I don't think so. It's true that he's a great shotmaker, but he's slow, and that's a factor. I think the real story with Safin is that he rose to the occasion when he played the slams, much like the Williams sisters. Better that than the record of Blake or Nalbandian, who play their best when the pressure is off.
veroniquem
Bionic Poster
I agree. Although Safin has heavy groundstrokes, his movement is poor, that's gonna be a huge handicap vs Fed (although a little less than it would be on grass).
Why does Safin not say "yes, i'm going out there and I
ll be playing to win" instead of his assuming that he will lose attitude (see also Wimbledon semi 08). How can he win if he assumes that he will not win?
Nadal is humble, but makes it clear that he plays to win and that has always sent clear messages to the opponent.
Grrr Marat.
ll be playing to win" instead of his assuming that he will lose attitude (see also Wimbledon semi 08). How can he win if he assumes that he will not win?
Nadal is humble, but makes it clear that he plays to win and that has always sent clear messages to the opponent.
Grrr Marat.
Marat is putting himself in that "nothing to lose" mindset. If he believes he's going to lose, somehow he wins. I promise you, it works. He's a genius and a mad man at the same time. I mean, he booked a plane already when he saw he was playing Djokovic, and somehow by some miraculous means beat the living crap out of Djokovic.
veroniquem
Bionic Poster
I'm with you on that, you're not gonna win with that attitude.
veroniquem
Bionic Poster
Djoko's loss had more to do with Djoko "losing it" than Safin stepping it up. That attitude doesn't work, that's why Safin hasn't won a title since 2005 and hasn't even made a final since 2005 (other than Moscow). Safin is going absolutely nowhere with that attitude of his. I feel sorry that noone in his entourage has been able to make him change it.
He said it was impossible to beat Federer on grass unless you are Nadal. Outside of Nadal, who's beaten Federer the past 5 Wimbledons again? Oh yeah, just Nadal.
veroniquem
Bionic Poster
Yes but if you're going on court to play Fed, and your name is Safin, you should take heart in having already beaten the guy rather than tell yourself that it's impossible anyway. Safin had such a dejected attitude that Fowler felt the need to pat his arm and anxiously ask "But you're gonna show up for the match tomorrow, right?". I don't think a player's attitude should ever trigger that kind of concern in a journalist. Too much negativity.
zagor
Bionic Poster
He booked flight home before his match with Novak at Wimbledon and then he proceeded to beat him in straights.Pay no attention to what Safin says,he almost always shows up for matches with top players.This is also his last year on tour so he'll be motivated to give his best,you do not wish to face a motivated Safin in early rounds if you're one of the top players.
