This year is no exception. Averaging about a coach per year since he arrived on the ATP tour, Safin recently sacked his best friend and coach from 2003 Denis Golovanov.

Golovanov is a former ATP player, and some in the tennis industry questioned Safin's decision to hire him, as his own career was in dire straights and he did not seem qualified to give advice to the Russian No. 1. These predictions turned out to be partially true, but it was difficult to gauge Safin's progress as he missed most of the 2003 season due to injury. However, Golovanov was with him in Paris in 2002 where Safin won his first title in 12 months.

In 2004, Safin came into the Australian Open with no expectations for himself other than winning a match or two, and gauging his form coming back from injury. Instead he played the specatular tennis that won him the US Open title in 2000 and surprised even himself. "I never would have thought of reaching the final, after what happened to me last year. I beat some very good players," said Safin.

Good players indeed. Among them current World No. 1 Andy Roddick as well as defending champion Andre Agassi.

"I want to finish the year No. 1 in the world", said Safin during the Australian Open. Big words from someone just coming off of an injury, but in Australia Safin's dream was looking like a distinct possibility.

But since Australia, Safin seems to have gone back to his old ways. His results have been less than flattering, losing badly to Roddick in Indian Wells followed by a first round loss to Vince Spadea in Miami. Combined with tough early round matches due to Safin's #32 ATP entry ranking, along with extremely tough draws and low confidence, Safin was beginning to look a little bit lost on the court.

You have to wonder if his amazing run at the Australian Open was too much glory too soon. You start to question his motives and his commitment to regaining the top spot after seeing him lose matches that he should be winning easily. But nothing has ever come easily for the mercurial Safin. He goes through so many emotions on the court that you never quite know what he is thinking. He can lose to any player on any day as easily as he can beat any player in the world when he is feeling confident.

However, Safin is beginning to back up his words from Australia. Cleary realizing that his current coach was not what he needed to get back to the top, he parted ways with him last week, shortly after his first round loss to Spadea in Miami. He arranged a meeting in Estoril with Peter Lundgren, Roger Federer's former coach. Lundgren seems to be just what the doctor ordered for Safin. He is a laid back person, who can understand Marat and his emotions, but he is also a wonderful tactician of the game. His record speaks for itself when working with players known for their lack of mental toughness and off-beat schools of thought.

Lundgren coached the talented yet moody Marcello Rios and brought him from number 60 in the world into the top 10. He then worked with Roger Federer, who was known for his immense talent but lack of mental strength. He coached Federer through his first Grand Slam win at Wimbledon last year. Soon after Federer and Lundgren parted ways, Federer citing that he needed a change.

If any of his charges have anything in common it is that they are extremely talented players, with enough natural talent to dole out to 10 other players between them, but they are all extremely mentally fragile and unpredictable on the court.

On the surface Lundgren and Safin appear to be a perfect match. If Lundgren can reel in Safin's emotions and teach him how to keep his head in the game, this could be one of the greatest coaching relations in modern tennis history. Safin has all the potential to be a multiple grand slam champion, as well as one of the best players in the game. The only thing that has been holding him back is his head. This could be the beginning of history in the making, and we are sure to have many great rivalries to look forward to in the years to come.