Safin or Chang?

Whose career would you rather have?

  • Total voters
    233
J

JBIMH

Rookie
the question is simple, if you were a tennis player would you rather have Michael Chang's career or Marat Safin's?

Michael Chang won 1 slam, reached 3 more finals, won 7 masters series tournaments and 34 total tournaments overall. His highest rank was #2 and spent more time at #2 then other player in the world besides Rafael Nadal. He also was part of the Davis Cup winning team in 1990.

Marat Safin has currently won 2 slams, reached 2 more finals, won 5 masters series tournaments and 14 total tournaments overall. He reached the #1 ranking in his career and he has been part of two winning Davis Cup teams in 2002 and 2006.

The final factor is the difference in the way they've been perceived. Ever since his victory in the US open over Pete Sampras, Safin has been viewed as one the most underachieving players on the tour. He is enormously talented but has failed to live entirely up to that talent. Chang on the other hand had less physical talent but viewed as a gutsy competitor that never quit. While he never quite lived up to the promise he showed when he won French Open at age of 17, he is rarely mentioned as failing to meet expectations.
 
if prize money wasn't a factor, chang all the way. it's a better feeling to know that you overachieved rather than underachieved.
 
akoni said:
if prize money wasn't a factor, chang all the way. it's a better feeling to know that you overachieved rather than underachieved.
Click to expand...

That's true, but wouldn't be nice to be labeled as the most talented player? Plus, a lot of his fans have SOO much faith in him returning, or winning a slam.
 
At his best I think Safin is as good as any player of all time. Career? Well, whoever has the most prize money. That's an easy one.
 
akoni said:
if prize money wasn't a factor, chang all the way. it's a better feeling to know that you overachieved rather than underachieved.
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haha, you make it sound like safin has more

$millions

1. P. Sampras 43.2
2. A. Agassi 31.1
3. R. Federer 28.5
4. B. Becker 25.0
5. Y. Kafelnikov 23.8
6. I. Lendl 23.2
7. S. Edberg 20.6
8. G. Ivanisevic 19.8
9. M. Chang 19.1
10. L. Hewitt 16.6
 
lawrence said:
haha, you make it sound like safin has more

$millions

1. P. Sampras 43.2
2. A. Agassi 31.1
3. R. Federer 28.5
4. B. Becker 25.0
5. Y. Kafelnikov 23.8
6. I. Lendl 23.2
7. S. Edberg 20.6
8. G. Ivanisevic 19.8
9. M. Chang 19.1
10. L. Hewitt 16.6
Click to expand...
Your figures are a year old. Federer is now #2 with 39 mil and Hewitt has 17.3
 
Marat Safin has more than one Slam, and all the talent in the world. But Michael Chang can look back and say "I gave it my all.."
 
I would probably rather be Chang since I would want to be admired for making the absolute most of my more limited (relative to the best) talents and skills; rather then be Safin and rather then have people celebrate my achievements like winning 2 slams and reaching 4 slam finals, have people harp on what an underachiever I was, what I might have achieved had I been more commited, etc....
 
I would choose Safin's career. But I would change something in my game when I would see that my career is going down. Safin is still dreaming.
 
Chang was steady in his career and maintained a number 2 ranking for a long time. Safin is so up and down I don't know how he can even concentrate on the match at hand.
 
Chang career, no doubt.

Safin's looks and his women off the court, no doubt.

But seriously. Safin is a total headcase. Besides his 2 slams (which is a terific achievement) he lost in so many tourney's in rounds 1 and 2. I mean A LOT. Chang was much more consistent. Chang had the better career hands down.

Oh and Chang is also the better player.
 
jaggy said:
I would rather have Safin's lifestyle for sure
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Safin should be Changs roommate for a month. It would make an awesome reality show.

Safin "Hey Mike you want to come out to the club with these 12 hot chicks?"

Michael "No Im just going to sit in my room, Im still thinking over the 97 US Open semifinal. Im going to read the bible a while too."

Safin "See ya."
 
Shaolin said:
Safin should be Changs roommate for a month. It would make an awesome reality show.

Safin "Hey Mike you want to come out to the club with these 12 hot chicks?"

Michael "No Im just going to sit in my room, Im still thinking over the 97 US Open semifinal. Im going to read the bible a while too."

Safin "See ya."
Click to expand...

I hope you were not one of the striking writers...don't quit your day job.:|
 
Shaolin said:
Safin should be Changs roommate for a month. It would make an awesome reality show.

Safin "Hey Mike you want to come out to the club with these 12 hot chicks?"

Michael "No Im just going to sit in my room, Im still thinking over the 97 US Open semifinal. Im going to read the bible a while too."

Safin "See ya."
Click to expand...

lmao. 10 chars
 
Chang..no doubt. He's proven under fire and rarely was an easy win for an opponent. You weren't going to crack him mentally. For a time, the road to the U.S. Open title went through Michael Chang. Can't say the same for Safin.
 
Safin. Chang for the last 6 years of his career was worthless on the court. I know that came out harsh, but he really didn't do much of anything after 1997 and just kept playing for reasons known to him. Especially after 2000.

Safin has 2 slams was ranked #1 in 2000 for a time and demolished Sampras at the US Open final. He also beat Fed in what is in my mind the best tennis match I've ever seen in the 2005 Aussie Open.

Also, Safin in his later years can still be a contender if he's on fire. Chang couldn't do anything in his later years. Safin can still be a threat, if mentally together and motivated his weapons are timeless.
 
No doubt Safin is the one with more raw talent but Chang got the heart and determination. I will take Chang.

I really don't want to be remembered has a drunk. Playing at the world stage like the grand slams drunk is just too disrespectful for the game.
 
Morrissey said:
Safin. Chang for the last 6 years of his career was worthless on the court. I know that came out harsh, but he really didn't do much of anything after 1997 and just kept playing for reasons known to him. Especially after 2000.

Safin has 2 slams was ranked #1 in 2000 for a time and demolished Sampras at the US Open final. He also beat Fed in what is in my mind the best tennis match I've ever seen in the 2005 Aussie Open.

Also, Safin in his later years can still be a contender if he's on fire. Chang couldn't do anything in his later years. Safin can still be a threat, if mentally together and motivated his weapons are timeless.
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I concur! Safin's game although inconsistent is more entertaining, and I think would be more fun. This is of course personal preference, but I would rather be Number 1 in the world for a short time than number 2 for a long time.
 
slappano said:
Chang career, no doubt.

Safin's looks and his women off the court, no doubt.

But seriously. Safin is a total headcase. Besides his 2 slams (which is a terific achievement) he lost in so many tourney's in rounds 1 and 2. I mean A LOT. Chang was much more consistent. Chang had the better career hands down.

Oh and Chang is also the better player.
Click to expand...



Chang a better player? Hardly. Did you even watch the Australian Open semi-final of Safin Federer? Or Safin Sampras at the USO? Or how bout the amazing match where Safin broke Agassi's winning streak down under?
 
NamRanger said:
Chang a better player? Hardly. Did you even watch the Australian Open semi-final of Safin Federer? Or Safin Sampras at the USO? Or how bout the amazing match where Safin broke Agassi's winning streak down under?
Click to expand...

Nam,
Safin is talented but a better player has consistency as well, which Safin utterly lacked. You saying that is making Nalby a great player because he defeated no 1, 2, and 3 once and 1 and 2 another time. But , he is inconsistent. Safin is similar, you can see his moment of brilliance and then it all goes haywire. Plus, Safin has had injury troubles as well, which is unfortunate. In that aspect, Chang was better. He grinded and gave everything he could , until he had nothing more left.
 
Chang, simply because Safin is going to spend the rest of his life feeling like an ass for not having the commitment to realize his potential. Like others said, at least Chang knows that he gave it 100 percent.
 
NamRanger said:
Chang a better player? Hardly. Did you even watch the Australian Open semi-final of Safin Federer? Or Safin Sampras at the USO? Or how bout the amazing match where Safin broke Agassi's winning streak down under?
Click to expand...

So that is the tennis he plays 1% of the time. It isnt representative of the player he is in general in the least.
 
this one is not close. 2 slams > 1. also, nobody in the history of tennis has achieved more than safin in the bedroom.
 
Morrissey said:
Also, Safin in his later years can still be a contender if he's on fire. Chang couldn't do anything in his later years. Safin can still be a threat, if mentally together and motivated his weapons are timeless.
Click to expand...

what do you mean "later years"? from 2006 to now 2008 should be considered the "later years" for Safin? what did he achieve?
 
NamRanger said:
Chang a better player? Hardly. Did you even watch the Australian Open semi-final of Safin Federer? Or Safin Sampras at the USO? Or how bout the amazing match where Safin broke Agassi's winning streak down under?
Click to expand...

Never said who had the more POTENTIAL. I noted clearky that Safin is a head case. I don't even know why I waste my time....

Total GS and 4th round or better results first 10 years on tour (since Safin has 10 years only fair to Chang):
Chang Safin
20/36 15/34 Chang Wins

Total Victories (1st ten years)/final appearances
Chang Safin
33/23 15/11 Chang wins

I will say Safin grossly underachieved (with his talent) and Chang overachieved, but the bottom line is Chang had a better career. A career is numbers based, so no clue what you are talking about.

Also, you never saw Chang play in the late 80's early 90's..its obvious since you only mentioned Safin matches. By the way, Sampras played HORRIBLE. So Safin played great a few times...so are you saying Chang did not? Wake up little man. The question was who had the better career..pretty simple since #'s are used for this type of question. Maybe you think Safin is better and that is in your little world.
 
Morrissey said:
Safin. Chang for the last 6 years of his career was worthless on the court. I know that came out harsh, but he really didn't do much of anything after 1997 and just kept playing for reasons known to him. Especially after 2000.

Safin has 2 slams was ranked #1 in 2000 for a time and demolished Sampras at the US Open final. He also beat Fed in what is in my mind the best tennis match I've ever seen in the 2005 Aussie Open.

Also, Safin in his later years can still be a contender if he's on fire. Chang couldn't do anything in his later years. Safin can still be a threat, if mentally together and motivated his weapons are timeless.
Click to expand...

Please, please wake up...Safin has made the 4th round once in his past 8 slams. You call that on fire??

Safin has not made a QF since 2004 Monte Carlo...where is this fire?

I compared each toi their first 10 years. Safin has been in decline for almost 4 years.
Please wake up. Safin is HORRID.
 
firstservethenvolley said:
Nam,
Safin is talented but a better player has consistency as well, which Safin utterly lacked. You saying that is making Nalby a great player because he defeated no 1, 2, and 3 once and 1 and 2 another time. But , he is inconsistent. Safin is similar, you can see his moment of brilliance and then it all goes haywire. Plus, Safin has had injury troubles as well, which is unfortunate. In that aspect, Chang was better. He grinded and gave everything he could , until he had nothing more left.
Click to expand...

Well said. I really enjoy reading posts with logic. its rare with the amount of newbie tennis experts and 13 year olds watching you tube.
 
orangettecoleman said:
Chang, simply because Safin is going to spend the rest of his life feeling like an ass for not having the commitment to realize his potential. Like others said, at least Chang knows that he gave it 100 percent.
Click to expand...

and chang won't regret not banging the millions of groupies he'll never see again? safin has said over and over that he would hate tennis if he played a schedule/trained like most top players. chang lives with far more regret (if only for the fact that he takes tennis more seriously than safin) that safin ever will.
 
slappano said:
Never said who had the more POTENTIAL. I noted clearky that Safin is a head case. I don't even know why I waste my time....

Total GS and 4th round or better results first 10 years on tour (since Safin has 10 years only fair to Chang):
Chang Safin
20/36 15/34 Chang Wins

Total Victories (1st ten years)/final appearances
Chang Safin
33/23 15/11 Chang wins

I will say Safin grossly underachieved (with his talent) and Chang overachieved, but the bottom line is Chang had a better career. A career is numbers based, so no clue what you are talking about.
Also, you never saw Chang play in the late 80's early 90's..its obvious since you only mentioned Safin matches. By the way, Sampras played HORRIBLE. So Safin played great a few times...so are you saying Chang did not? Wake up little man. The question was who had the better career..pretty simple since #'s are used for this type of question. Maybe you think Safin is better and that is in your little world.
Click to expand...

what numbers, other than # of majors, means anything historically? also, chang played in an era where top 10 players were not challenged til the round of 16 in majors. safin has always been as good as the #1 player when he's on. chang was never seen as such (except on clay before he peaked at 18). once agassi, sampras and courier surpassed him chang was no longer a contender, which safin was for close to a decade.
 
Hooooon said:
what numbers, other than # of majors, means anything historically? also, chang played in an era where top 10 players were not challenged til the round of 16 in majors. safin has always been as good as the #1 player when he's on. chang was never seen as such (except on clay before he peaked at 18). once agassi, sampras and courier surpassed him chang was no longer a contender, which safin was for close to a decade.
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LOL...Chang played amongst the greatest tennis has ever seen. You do realize Safin is terrible..he has not even gotten past a QF in 4 years. Sorry, but you never saw Chang play.

I also noted regular tourney's besides majors..guess you missed that.
 
slappano said:
LOL...Chang played amongst the greatest tennis has ever seen. You do realize Safin is terrible..he has not even gotten past a QF in 4 years. Sorry, but you never saw Chang play.

I also noted regular tourney's besides majors..guess you missed that.
Click to expand...

proof against safin's being ''terrible''
he's inconsistent and lazy. ill give you that. but he's a gifted player, for sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efQ8dmJZDWk&feature=related
 
Cup8489 said:
proof against safin's being ''terrible''
he's inconsistent and lazy. ill give you that. but he's a gifted player, for sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efQ8dmJZDWk&feature=related
Click to expand...

Safin hasn't made 1 QF of a slam since then with the best of 2 4th rounds at the French and 1 4th round at the US.

Chang on the other hand reached QF of atleast 1 GS every year for 8 years after he won his title and that included 4 semifinals and 3 final appearances as well.
 
Last edited:
slappano said:
LOL...Chang played amongst the greatest tennis has ever seen. You do realize Safin is terrible..he has not even gotten past a QF in 4 years. Sorry, but you never saw Chang play.

I also noted regular tourney's besides majors..guess you missed that.
Click to expand...

i grew up watching chang play (edberg is my all time fav). saying safin is terrible is unfounded and ignorant. why did federer admit to playing well in losing to him (something fed hasn't done since, except in losing to nadal on clay)? safin is a davis cup stud (when he plays). he makes things extremely hard in big events because he has awful draws. he either loses close to top players or gets worn out beating a good player and loses next round. tennis is way deeper now then ever before, a trend which will continue as the sport grows. there are no easy rounds, which there were in chang's day. sure, chang had a steady career as a top 10er, but nobody ever considered him the best. nobody was better than safin from 1998ish-2005 when he was in shape.
 
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