Safin's views on Roddick, Federer...

crazylevity

Hall of Fame
Was trawling through Safin's official site and found an interview he did. These comments are excerpt:

Is there anyone from the top players you haven’t managed to build a relationship with?Roddick and I don’t talk to each other. We fell out during the Olympic Games in Athens.



What hapenned?
I am not going to say anything, it’s stupid. But the man has changed and not for the best. I’ve known him, Federer and Hewitt practically since childhood, we’re of the same age, we’ve been playing each other forever. I have an excellent relationship with the other two. Federer became more disciplined, serious, a real Swiss. He is a very good person. Once I had to present some one I knew with a racquet and I didn’t have one on me. I asked Roger for one and he gave it to me without hesitation. I have wonderful memories about Sampras – he treated me really well and I respected him deeply. Just as I respect Agassi.



You have admired Federer’s game on numerous occasions. Some people actually consider him the best player of all times. Do you agree?I’d say yes. He has everything a perfect player should have. You can find flaws in Agassi and Sampras but Federer has none.

I don't mean to bring up the GOAT debate, but it is clear that both Safin and Agassi believe Federer is superior.

Source: http://www.maratsafin.com/content.php?did=10&aid=2570c96116e8c80b8883b51bbfd9871e
 
As well I must say that's a very informative interview, rarely do players share something in this depth. It's very nice to read.
 

The tennis guy

Hall of Fame
crazylevity said:
You have admired Federer’s game on numerous occasions. Some people actually consider him the best player of all times. Do you agree?I’d say yes. He has everything a perfect player should have. You can find flaws in Agassi and Sampras but Federer has none.

I don't mean to bring up the GOAT debate, but it is clear that both Safin and Agassi believe Federer is superior.

Source: http://www.maratsafin.com/content.php?did=10&aid=2570c96116e8c80b8883b51bbfd9871e

There is a difference between the best player of all times and greatest player of all times. I'd agree with Safin Federer is the best player I have ever seen in open era. But you can't say he is the greatest of all time yet. He could be.
 
Always have to love Safin, he shoots straight. Always the case with his thoughts, most of the time with his shots :mrgreen: One of the most talented of his generation if ever, and TRULY doens't see himself that way. I have to say I completely agree with his whole opinion there, though its the first time I've seen it.
 
Exactly, Federer is not the greatest player yet, best maybe but to be the greatest, he has a ways to go.

Safin is a pretty honest and cool guy!
 

nn

Hall of Fame
Tennis_Goodness said:
Exactly, Federer is not the greatest player yet, best maybe but to be the greatest, he has a ways to go.

Safin is a pretty honest and cool guy!

Tommy Haas said the same about Roger and I agree 100%... still 8 or 9 slams to go..
 

nn

Hall of Fame
crazylevity said:
Was trawling through Safin's official site and found an interview he did. These comments are excerpt:

Is there anyone from the top players you haven’t managed to build a relationship with?Roddick and I don’t talk to each other. We fell out during the Olympic Games in Athens.



What hapenned?
I am not going to say anything, it’s stupid. But the man has changed and not for the best. I’ve known him, Federer and Hewitt practically since childhood, we’re of the same age, we’ve been playing each other forever. I have an excellent relationship with the other two. Federer became more disciplined, serious, a real Swiss. He is a very good person. Once I had to present some one I knew with a racquet and I didn’t have one on me. I asked Roger for one and he gave it to me without hesitation. I have wonderful memories about Sampras – he treated me really well and I respected him deeply. Just as I respect Agassi.



You have admired Federer’s game on numerous occasions. Some people actually consider him the best player of all times. Do you agree?I’d say yes. He has everything a perfect player should have. You can find flaws in Agassi and Sampras but Federer has none.

I don't mean to bring up the GOAT debate, but it is clear that both Safin and Agassi believe Federer is superior.

Source: http://www.maratsafin.com/content.php?did=10&aid=2570c96116e8c80b8883b51bbfd9871e

I think many top players don't have friendly relationship with other pro, so it doesn't mean one is super good and other super bad...
 

Moose Malloy

G.O.A.T.
Don't think Roddick is capable of this kind of behavior, what a classy guy that Safin. The ultimate pampered, spoiled athlete:

from Wertheim's mailbag:

"Just to set the record straight: Safin dinged up (hardly totaled) the C-Class Benz that he was given to drive during the tournament. He then had his coach ask for an S-Class. When the Mercedes reps saw the minor damage, they effectively said. "S-class? You'll get no class." Safin then allegedly suggested that the Mercedes rep perform a sex act on him. (To compound his boorishness, the Mercedes rep just so happened to be Mal Washington's pregnant wife. D-ohhhh.) The Tour fined Safin $5,000, which he'll be able to find behind the cushions in his couch."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/jon_wertheim/news/2002/04/01/mailbag/
 

Tennis_Monk

Hall of Fame
I cant believe Marat and Andy cant get together. I have seen them exchange cordials quite a few times. May be its professional courtesy.
 

crazylevity

Hall of Fame
I do think it is professional courtesy...in front of press and media, you sometimes have to put on an act. But anyone has any idea what actually happened at the Athens Games?
 

Hal

Rookie
crazylevity said:
You have admired Federer’s game on numerous occasions. Some people actually consider him the best player of all times. Do you agree?I’d say yes. He has everything a perfect player should have. You can find flaws in Agassi and Sampras but Federer has none.

I don't mean to bring up the GOAT debate, but it is clear that both Safin and Agassi believe Federer is superior.

Source: http://www.maratsafin.com/content.php?did=10&aid=2570c96116e8c80b8883b51bbfd9871e

Well, Safin didn't play Sampras in his prime, either, so I'm not sure he's the best judge of the GOAT. Also, just because a guy has a flaw as people claim Sampras had, not too many people were able to exploit it in a major.

I'm a huge Federer fan, but I'd say he doesn't have the weapons that Sampras had in his prime. I also think Federer's second serve can be exploited as Safin did in last years AO. Safin was also able to punish Federer's backhand and then hit a his own backhand down the line.

In any case, I've enjoyed watching both Sampras and Federer play. Let's hope Federer can continue playing at his current level or higher, but it be great to see him win 7 or more GSs. That's a long way to go, though.
 

timmyboy

Professional
Well, Federer definitely has what it takes to become the best, however, he's only half way there of beating the slams of all time. Who knows? in the next year or 2, someone young might come up and usurp Federer, or challenge him. He might get injured and it would affect his career for forever. Very hard to judge his path at this point in time. In 2 or so years, it'd be VERY clear though.
 

Freedom

Professional
Hewitt ain't nobody's friend. I think some people say they don't hate him, but have you ever heard someone say they like him? No you haven't...

Safin seems like he's pretty intelligent, which is odd because he's a lunatic on court...
 

RiosTheGenius

Hall of Fame
Freedom said:
Hewitt ain't nobody's friend. I think some people say they don't hate him, but have you ever heard someone say they like him? No you haven't...

Safin seems like he's pretty intelligent, which is odd because he's a lunatic on court...
there' s many people Hewitt gets along well with... his coach, his mom, his sister, Beck, ...... mmm ....and the Adelaide Footy team.
all I know is that he does not have many mates in Argentina.
 
Hal said:
Well, Safin didn't play Sampras in his prime, either, so I'm not sure he's the best judge of the GOAT. Also, just because a guy has a flaw as people claim Sampras had, not too many people were able to exploit it in a major.

I'm a huge Federer fan, but I'd say he doesn't have the weapons that Sampras had in his prime. I also think Federer's second serve can be exploited as Safin did in last years AO. Safin was also able to punish Federer's backhand and then hit a his own backhand down the line.

In any case, I've enjoyed watching both Sampras and Federer play. Let's hope Federer can continue playing at his current level or higher, but it be great to see him win 7 or more GSs. That's a long way to go, though.


I believe Federer already has 7. Also, this article is pretty old.
 

PM_

Professional
crazylevity said:
Was trawling through Safin's official site and found an interview he did. These comments are excerpt:

Is there anyone from the top players you haven’t managed to build a relationship with?Roddick and I don’t talk to each other. We fell out during the Olympic Games in Athens.



What hapenned?
I am not going to say anything, it’s stupid. But the man has changed and not for the best. I’ve known him, Federer and Hewitt practically since childhood, we’re of the same age, we’ve been playing each other forever. I have an excellent relationship with the other two. Federer became more disciplined, serious, a real Swiss. He is a very good person. Once I had to present some one I knew with a racquet and I didn’t have one on me. I asked Roger for one and he gave it to me without hesitation. I have wonderful memories about Sampras – he treated me really well and I respected him deeply. Just as I respect Agassi.



You have admired Federer’s game on numerous occasions. Some people actually consider him the best player of all times. Do you agree?I’d say yes. He has everything a perfect player should have. You can find flaws in Agassi and Sampras but Federer has none.

I don't mean to bring up the GOAT debate, but it is clear that both Safin and Agassi believe Federer is superior.

Source: http://www.maratsafin.com/content.php?did=10&aid=2570c96116e8c80b8883b51bbfd9871e
this was covered awhile ago.
 

joesixtoe

Rookie
i remember reading somewhere that safin thought federer was good, but rios he thought had the best over all tennis ability... dunno where i read that
 

go_nadal

Semi-Pro
Freedom said:
Hewitt ain't nobody's friend. I think some people say they don't hate him, but have you ever heard someone say they like him? No you haven't...

Safin seems like he's pretty intelligent, which is odd because he's a lunatic on court...
I agree completely with that last bit.... But i love his on court personality...
 

pound cat

G.O.A.T.
Safin is a lunatic on the court only when he is furious with himself. This is due to lack of self-esteem and is self-abusive behaviour, not lunacy. Yes, Safin often has no self-confidence. Believe it or not.

Ripley.
 

Moose Malloy

G.O.A.T.
Safin is a lunatic on the court only when he is furious with himself. This is due to lack of self-esteem and is self-abusive behaviour, not lunacy

I won't say it...

Please tell me your defense for Safin cursing out a pregnant woman who wouldn't replace his dented mercedes courtesy car. I can understand a player losing it on court (heat of the moment, etc)
But this incident shows the kind of person he really is. The ATP even fined him for it, I can't recall the last time a player was fined for his behavior off the court.

I take anything he says with a grain of salt. He often seems all over the place in his comments. He kind of reminds me of Richard Williams, a guy that just likes to hear himself talk, no matter how nonsensically.
He wants to imply that Roddick's a bad guy fine. But Roddick doesn't have the resume of fines that he does. And Mal Washington certainly doesn't consider Safin one of the "good guys."
 

pianeon

New User
Please tell me your defense for Safin cursing out a pregnant woman who wouldn't replace his dented mercedes courtesy car. I can understand a player losing it on court (heat of the moment, etc)
But this incident shows the kind of person he really is. The ATP even fined him for it, I can't recall the last time a player was fined for his behavior off the court.

So a 22 year old made a regrettable decision 4 years ago? That's uncommon.

I don't think I'm comfortable hanging the guy after one incident. I'm also curious to know just how "pregnant" this woman was. Was it noticeable? Where are the details? Not that cursing out a pregnant woman is any worse than cursing out a woman who isn't. The plea to emotion in an attempt to further demonize someone is cute though.

Safin cursed out a... gasp, PREGNANT woman!

Secondly, what does this have to do with his opinion of Andy?
 

rilokiley

Professional
Tennis_Monk said:
I cant believe Marat and Andy cant get together. I have seen them exchange cordials quite a few times. May be its professional courtesy.
I can. Didn't he say he's not like Americans in his interviews? seems like he's got something against those all-American type kids.
 

C_Urala

Semi-Pro
rilokiley said:
I can. Didn't he say he's not like Americans in his interviews? seems like he's got something against those all-American type kids.

I can too. But he didn't say he doesn't like in THIS interview. Instead, he said he respects Agassi and Sampras.
 

pound cat

G.O.A.T.
rilokiley said:
I can. Didn't he say he's not like Americans in his interviews? seems like he's got something against those all-American type kids.


He didn't say anything about American kids. What he said was "If I had to live in America I'd shoot myself"
 
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