Background
As a member of Russian tennis's "New Establishment," it has been said that Marat Safin is a born champion. His mother, Rausa, was a former top 10 Russian player who used to take baby Marat with her when she practiced at the local Spartak club, which was managed by his father, Mikhail. Marat began to play tennis at the age of 6.
At the age of 14, Marat left home to travel to Spain. All alone, Marat was faced with the prospect of learning a new language and honing his tennis skills in a foreign land. Over the next 4 years, Marat trained in Valencia under the guidance of Rafael Mensua. At age 18, Marat stopped playing juniors and began to focus on the ATP Tour. That is when the roller coaster began.
In 1998 Marat was named the RADO Player to watch. By the end of the year, Safin had gained nearly 150 ranking spots and had finished the year in the Top 50. His upward climb continued during his second year on tour, as he achieved his first Top 25 ranking and captured his first ATP victory in Boston.
The year 2000 was both up and downhill for Marat. After a less than promising start that was highlighted by a few difficulties, Marat turned his year around by winning Barcelona and Mallorca one after the other. A quarter-final placing in Paris spotlighted Marat as a force in Grand Slam play and Marat was chosen to be one of the main figures in the "New Balls Please" campaign by the ATP, who were promoting new, up and coming players. Like with all thrill rides, Marat made a quick and stunning tour along the circuit and in a very brief time had captured his first Tennis Masters Series in Toronto, a final in Indianapolis, won the US Open, and captured his 5th title of the year in Tashkent. Following Tashkent, Marat assumed the No. 1 position in the ATP Race. On his way to the year-end finals in Lisbon, Marat collected wins in St. Petersburg and the Tennis Masters Series. In Lisbon, Marat reached the semi-finals but was passed by Gustavo Kuerten in the race for No. 1.
2001 was another year of ups and downs. Marat started strong with a 4th round in the Australian Open and a final in Dubai. However, a back injury cramped Safin's play and set him back for 3 months. A healthy Marat showed up at Wimbledon and advanced to the quarter-finals, where he lost to eventual champion Goran Ivanisevic. Marat then reached the semi-finals at the US Open and successfully defended his titles in Tashkent and St. Petersburg. He finished 2002 just outside the Top Ten at No. 11.
Marat who speaks 3 languages fluently and enjoys soccer, golf and ice hockey had a fantastic 2002 campaign. Highlights for the season included a great start in Australia as Marat finished with an excellent runners-up spot. A Semi-Final finish at Roland Garros followed and the season ended on a high as Marat again achieved a finalist spot at the Masters Series in Hamburg.
Awards and Achievements
1999
First ATP Tour Tournament win in Boston
Finalist Masters Series Paris Indoors
Davis Cup Semi Finalist with Russia
2000
Winner Open Seat Godo Barcelona
Winner Mallorca
Winner ATP Masters Series Canada
Winner US Open
Winner President’s Cup Tashkent
Finalist World Team Cup Düsseldorf
Finalist ATP Masters Series Hamburg
RCA Championships Indianapolis
2001
Winner singles at ATP Tour International Series, St. Petersburg
Winner singles at ATP Tour International Series, Tashkent
4th round Australian Open
3rd round Roland Garros
Quarter Finalist Wimbledon
Semi Finalist US Open
2002
Finalist Australian Open
Finalist Tennis Masters Series, Hamburg
Finalist World Team Cup, Dusseldorf
Semi-finalist Roland Garros (French Open), Paris
Winner: Davis Cup Russia
2004
Finalist: Australian Open
Finalist: Estoril, Portugal
Semi-finalist: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Winner: Beijing
Winner: TMS Madrid
Winner: TMS Paris
2005
Winner: Australian Open
