Departure of Marat Safin from the first hundred of the rating of the Association of Professional Tennis Players (ATR), recorded on Monday by unbiased statistics, became the crown of torment of the ex-first racket of the world. This was preceded by a long treatment for a knee injury, parting with the Swedish trainer Peter Lundgren and the recent car accident in Cincinnati. It was to Lundgren that Izvestia correspondent Svetlana Sokolova turned to find out what is happening with Marat now.
Mr. Lundgren, what caused your breakup with Marat?
I would not like to use the word "separation". We have not parted completely, our joint work continues. It’s just that Marat wants to try to practice on his own. Hence the break.
And how long will it last?
Until the end of US Open.
You did not answer, what was the reason?
Marat said: I need a pause to find myself again. Find yourself as a player and as a person - although the second is still more. I replied: know the problems. Moreover, I perfectly understand how difficult his summer was.
Is Marat really nervous about failures? The other day, he even had an accident ...
Yes, that’s terrible. Judging by the fact that the car of Marat cannot be restored, he risked seriously. But you need to know Marat, his whole life is one continuous adventure.
The accident was the result of failures of Safin on the court?
I don’t think so. Although, of course, he is very nervous and terribly wants to return. Recently, Marat did not play very well, lost confidence, and it is not easy to regain it. In the tennis business, everyone knows each other and everyone sees. If you did not fight on the court, it means that it will take more time to achieve the goal than expected. I think that in the fall on the artificial turf Safin should have fewer problems.
Does Marat do everything you tell him?
Yes, he is training very hard. In this regard, there were no complaints to him all year. Here is another problem ... He does not get the usual return from hard work. This scares him, undermines self-confidence. And ultimately affects the result. Safin is struggling with his injury. He is professional and also very talented. But Marat should understand: to play the way he wants, he needs to be 100% ready. But he is not ready yet ...
Tell me frankly: will Marat be able to become the world's number one again?
Well, maybe not number one ... But he has good chances of getting into the top ten. I think that this is the goal he needs to set for himself. And get close to her gradually. First try to finish the year in the TOP-50, and then show the real possibilities. They just correspond to TOR-10.
What do you think of Marat’s lifestyle? Maybe something extra is stopping him from playing?
No I do not think so. He changed a lot, became much calmer.
Maybe he has problems in his personal life?
You know, usually I don’t get into his personal life. But I think there is a whole range of problems. When everything is in order at home, he is good on the court. Marat really wants to win, defeats hit in his personal life. Soon the Russian team will play in the Davis Cup semifinal with the Americans. I think playing for the team can help Marat.