Longevity, consistency, reliability… do very little for you, you find these things boring. You prefer surprises, mental failures and showers of pure talent. It is because you love tormented players, that you were a...
Longevity, consistency, reliability… do very little for you, you find these things boring. You prefer surprises, mental failures and showers of pure talent. It is because you love tormented players, that you were a fan of Marat Safin.
...You grew a moustache to look like him.
...You learned to speak Tatar.
...You took Russian citizenship to vote "Safin" in the Duma under the banner of the United Russia party. Yes, Putin's party.
...You could have been a legend, but you were a man of few shots.
...With your talent, you could have destroyed everything on your way. But no, you chose to play with a yo-yo.
...You have another world number 1 in your family. Your sister. You’re handsome and talented, she's ugly and laborious. But deep down, you are the same: losers.
...You never had a strong shot. Too bad, you had all the potential
...You could’ve been the other major rival of Roger Federer, but this challenge bored you.
...You could even have had Roger Federer’s career, but you weren’t interested. You’re classier than that.
...Besides, you like to choose your years. Your favourite was the year 2000. Yes, you like to mark the occasion, and you don't choose randomly.
...You have a very special relationship with BNP Paribas Masters at Paris Bercy.
...You’re Russian, but your favourite surface is clay.
...You defeated Pete Sampras in the U.S. Open final in 2000. Even better, you're one of the only players to have a positive assessment against Pete Sampras.
...Standard really, for a few years, you were the youngest world number one in history. For you are a precocious guy.
...On the other hand, you never had the mental strength. You were even the first player in history to receive a warning for lack of fight.
...You don’t like to shine much, but you like to shine well.
...You have a revolutionary name and you paid tribute to it throughout your career.
...You're the biggest womanizer of the tour. Normal for someone who, at six years old, was training with Anna Kournikova.
By Antoine Mestres
