I'm asking an operator to connect me to "Mister Marat Safin". "Where do you call from?" - asks a distant voice pretty dully. "Russia, Moscow, 'Sovietsky Sport' newspaper". Theres a short silence at the other end. And then the guy joyfully asks again "From Russia, journalist? Oh, congratulations on your sportsmans victory today!" Seems like he forgets about his duties. Then, after a while, he says: "Just wait a second, I will put you through". Click. Rings for a while. Man with a loud voice answers:

- I'm listening...

Marat? Im calling you from "Soviet sport". Congratulations...

- Wait, wait... you want to speak to Marat?

Yes - Im answering, understanding that that was the 'hero of the day' coach Denis Golovanov.

- Marat is resting after such a tough match. And its half past one! - answers the coach threateningly - Marat has two days off, maybe you'll call back tomorrow?

- "And whos calling?" - through the sound of a turned on TV and Denis' explanations I hear a voice of the 'American killer' - its what they called Marat in Australia.

"From Moscow, "Soviet Sport" - Denis says.

I hear some noises, scrathces in the phone. Oh, will we get disconnected? And then the quiet, level voice of the conqueror is heard:

Marat:"Hello, its Marat. Thanks a lot for the congrats and your support. You're the only ones from all the Russian newspapers to find me in these Australian neck of woods" - Marat jokes, he cannot but joke.

"So your impressions about the match... can you share them with our readers?

Marat:"Do you think I'm able?" - Marat laughs weakly and snorts in the phone. "The match was reaaaaaally tough. Its really impossible to invent something new against such a player as Agassi."

"But you won..."

Marat: "Well I just took a chance. Theres always a chance to win, its important to know how to take it. Of course you need enormous experience to do that. Well I managed, I held on til the end and did everything I could have done. Agassi was so high... And Safin... well he was even 'taller'" - Marat laughs loud again.

I can tell by his voice that hes on the seventh heaven with happiness.
How do you feel after all these 5-setters?

Marat: "Great!"

Marat shouts so loud, that I almost dropped my phone.

Marat:"Perfect! Well I'm still so young, only 24. So I can still run a lot... and play oh-so-much..."

I wish you a Happy birthday!

Marat: "Thank you, thanks." What did you wish for that day?

Marat: "To be healthy. Only that. That is the most important,"- now a very serious Marat answers,- "Evertyhing else will come anyway."

Is it true that Agassi gave you his signed racquet?

Marat: No, not me, to my coach and without autograph so far. By the way Denis, ask Andre to sign it for you!" - he shouts already.

Thank you Marat and good luck in the finals!

Marat: "Thanks a lot, I think I'll need it. Good night."