L'Equipe 07 November 2005

by VINCENT COGNET

Safin remains patient

On arrival in Bercy, the Russian gave a progress report on the injury which is being treated in Moscow. He hopes to make a return to the tour in December. Invited by the organizers to present the trophy to his successor, Marat Safin, three times winner at Bercy (2000, 2002, 2004), was yesterday in Paris. Arriving at the Palais Omnisports at 16.15, in the company of his new girl friend and his large pal Marc Rosset (the latest pensioner on the circuit), the Russian agreed to talk about his injured knee which has wasted a large part of the season for him. Gracious and relaxed, he also told of his everyday life in Moscow, the purchase of a new apartment and his desire to return to the tennis courts during December. If the rest and the care to which he is subjected bear fruit, the 2006 season could start for him.

What did happen with the injury to your left knee?

It is a long story. It is not an unusual injury. In fact, it is fairly common with basketball players called "jumper's knee" (literally the knee of the jumper). It is not very serious but, unfortunately, I stopped playing too late. I started to have problems in Indian Wells and Miami. I continued to play on clay as I was hoping that the problem was related to hard surfaces. But that did nothing else but worsen the injury. At Roland-Garros, I had to take pain killers and to undergo injections around the knee. After Wimbledon, I decided to go for consultation at a private clinic. One advised me to stop for two or three months, but I did not take the advice. I really wanted to play at the US Open. It is over there that I caused the problem to worsen. 

Then, you looked after yourself in Russia?

The American doctors had already given me indications of what should happen, but I wanted to have treatment at home. Once again repeated the advice to stop playing for two to three months. I could have had an operation. But the price to be paid was too high: one year of staying away. For the moment, all is going well.

Which program do you follow?

I spend five hours per day with the doctors. I start at 9am and I finish around 4 p.m, with, you understand, stops for lunch included. I work the same program six days out of seven. I can do no work on any level of the legs. Neither jogging, nor bicycle, nothing! Simple clumsy movement could put me back months. Therefore, I work on the top part of my body in the gym and I swim every morning.

Do you miss tennis?

At this moment,very much. I find the time drags. My plan is to return gradually to the practice in December, in Valencia. If all goes well, that should be alright for the beginning of 2006 season.

What do you do with the remainder of the day?

I enjoy being with my family, I see my girlfriend, I occupy myself with my future apartment. Of course, as with all apartments, there are problems, but that encourages me to have more ideas and that in turn helps me to forget my troubles of the moment.

Do you follow the tournaments on TV?

I do not have television at the house. Just a screen with a DVD player, but I do not have an antenna. Just watching television is not needed. There are so many other things more interesting to do!