Why Marat Safin will never be a great player
Posted by Prof on September 8th, 2006
Just when you thought he was back again, he goes out and loses a five-setter to Tommy Haas. No offence to Haas but he isn’t really a player that will give the Federer or the Nadal a sleepless night; but then it seems Safin won’t either!
Safin burst onto the scene with a stunning victory over Sampras in the 2000 US Open. And six years down the line, we are still searching for that player. Anybody who could make Sampras look like a novice in a grand slam final is, no doubt, precociously talented but then talent alone does not do the trick.
At the highest levels, to be recognized is one thing to be remembered is quite another. Talent gains recognition, temperament makes one a champion. This is the reason why Sampras, Schumacher, Tiger Woods, Sachin are talked about synonymously with their respective sports. Safin will play the occasional stunning tennis and then come out the next day and get beaten by a player like me! Yes, he brings a human element that can be appreciated and all that jazz but then so did McEnroe and that never deterred him from winning.
So, what does Safin need to do? I don’t know if there is anything he can do. He has been around long enough to learn and adapt. He has failed.
Serena and Venus
The biggest disappointment in women’s tennis! These two had such prodigious talent, power and natural athletic skills that between them, they could have broken every record in women’s tennis. I must admit that I didn’t really like them when I first saw them play. They just seemed to be hitting it more powerfully than the rest (it seems prettier when Sharapova hits that powerfully, doesn’t it?). But what I overlooked was the natural athletic skill they possessed. What happened then? Acting, fashion, interior designing robbed us of two wonderful tennis players. Nobody, ever, can wake up one fine day, come out on court and expect to win.
They seem satisfied with what they have achieved. Have you ever heard Schumacher say anything about being happy with the number of grand prix victories, a Sampras saying after five Wimbledon titles that he had had enough? To be great requires an insatiable thirst for competition and victory. These two don’t have seem to have that (and if they do, it can’t be achieved by playing just one tournament before a grand slam).
Safin, Venus and Serena have so much talent that it is a pity to see how their careers have gone. Players with much lesser talent – a Courier- have achieved more than what their talent would have allowed. To be great you need temperament and drive as much as you need talent. These three have failed; they have disappointed me and fans world over, I am sure. Their careers are not over yet but will they come back and prove me wrong? I sorely wish they do but I doubt it.
- Prof
PS: Ironic, Venus Williams won the US Open Women’s singles in 2000.
Venus and Serena have won quite a few titles but not as many as they could have (should have?).
Technorati Tags: Tennis, Williams, Venus, Serena, Safin,
September 8th, 2006 at 11:46 am
YAY! YAY! YAY! I’m back in the land of reliable internet connections i.e. the West! So, I can, at long last, read this blog religiously. You’re probably not aware, but I’m a HUGE fan!!!! I love the concept and love the posts. I don’t always agree with them, but what the heck. Keep blogging!
P.S. - One of you knows me, so this is not just some random person going crazy on your blog.
September 8th, 2006 at 12:23 pm
Thanks Ms. V. Glad to know people enjoy reading it as much as we enjoy putting it up.
I can guess which one of us knows you but you might be mistaken in thinking that only one of us does
Keep visiting and three cheers for the internet
September 9th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
altho the grunts that accompany sharapovas power hitting are quite putting off and annoying i have to say. as for safin, the man leaves me dissappointed as ever. jus when i feel he has turned a corner. “he has failed” is a strong statement. but he hasnt left us with much of a choice. suffice to say i wont give up on him anytime soon.
September 10th, 2006 at 12:40 am
yes, the grunting is annoying … but then it is SHARAPOVA :).
He has failed is very strong… probably stronger than the truth really is but Safin could have been Federer’s Edberg. Well, atleast someone still has faith in him
October 17th, 2006 at 3:56 am
bullshit! marat is the best he doesnt need tu break his nek to win. heis one of the best and he will alway be.
January 30th, 2007 at 2:36 am
[…] Roddick is in the finest form he has been in for 12 months now. The serves are powerful and clicking, the powerful backcourt shots are in place and he appears fairly confident of his place on the court. Even given all this, he would be well advised to take Safin seriously. That man coming off two exhausting five set matches must be feeling like a polar bear in Chennai. But give him an opening and he will demolish you, if he fails to self-destruct that is. Safin is his own cyanide pill. You can find a previous post on Safin here. […]
March 31st, 2007 at 6:55 pm
I think we can all agree on one thing…
If Marat was any other way…he would be just like every other tennis player on the tour
Marat has always been original…and i dont just mean his personality..no one plays a more exciting game…no matter if he’son or off…his game is always interesting…the shots he can hit (or miss!)..are always eye catching…and i know it feels like he’s under performed most of his career but really…if u consider who he is and what he has to say about himself…he’s done exactly what he wanted to do in his life…
He has never been one to blame anyone but himslef for his losses..and when he wins…he is nothing but gracious and humble…never over reacting..
The difference between Marat and the rest of the future Tennis Hall of Fame’ers…is that he will be rememberd for more than his victories…now with that said…
Marat will be remebered for the yells,screams,raquet breaks,audible obscenities,imploding in several languages,making our stomach go in knots everytime he misses a shot,making us throw things at the television screen,hiding our eyes on important points,and making us rip our hair out of course…but when you look back on all that..you have to admit that in those moments of our pure anger and disapointment towards the “Big Man”…you just laughed to yourself and said “Oh Marat !” with a heavy sigh..just as he would…
so..in the end…honeslty…
Would you have it any other way ?!!!
Do really want OUR champion to be like everyone else?!!!
..i don’t think so…and you know he wouldn’t either…
June 29th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
marat safin is the best player in the world with fernando Gonzalez!!!!!!!!!!!!
im from chile
and i think he is great
ps: sorry for my english…it’s not soo good
July 4th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
It sure is unfortunate that Marat has not won as many slams as he could have with the talent he possesses.But he remains the sexiest,hottest,most interrestting player at the time.He is the best no matter.I LOVE EVERY ASPECT OF HIM.
July 4th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
ILOVE MARAT!Itis unfortunate that he has not won as many slams as he could have, given the talent that he has but it all depends on him .He is a great show maker ,he is hot,he uses his money the way he likes it.And his careeris not yet over so I still expect a lot coming from him.Heis a great guy and the sexiest tennis player!
July 5th, 2007 at 12:47 am
@ Joyce: I have no opinion on his hotness and no idea on the way he uses his money, I will take your word on this… but as a tennis player, we seem to be on the same page… he hasn’t done as much as men with half the talent. And ultimately, isn’t the tennis what you judge a tennis player on? [:)]