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2008-10-01 11:20:37
In a seven-day period that has seen more action than the latest Ridley Scott movie, Team DdV was lucky to be able to keep up with the correspondence this past week. Do you have a question for me? Keep sending me your emails, and I will answer them in a future column!
1) I used to be a fan of Marat Safin, but now I think he should retire from tennis before he ruins his reputation as a good player. Do you agree? -Happyface1234
DdV: Before I answer your question, please take a look at these pictures:
Okay, now that the visual portion of the discussion is over... I understand the depth of your frustration, believe me.
Safin hasn't won a title since the 2005 Australian Open, and with an embarrassing first round loss to the invisible Philipp Petzscnher of Germany in Bangkok last week, the collective sound of groans and expletives uttered by his long-suffering fan base is deafening.
That being said, I don't think he should retire. The name "Safin" continues to sell tickets and generate interest among tennis followers eight years after he won his first major title in Flushing Meadows.
On a bad day, Safin is unwatchable; on a good day, untouchable. Regardless, he remains the perfect blend of athlete and entertainer with a willing public still wanting to watch his show, feeling unbridled extacy when he is victorious and extreme agony when he is not.
2) Pete Sampras was drunk and belligerent on his way out of a restaurant a couple days ago. I was disappointed by his supportive words of the Republican party. -STY
DdV: I assume you are talking about the capture in Malibu, California, where Mr. Sampras was photographed coming out of the restaurant, Nobu. From my view, he did not appear to be intoxicated, nor belligerent.
Watch the video here: http://www.tmz.com/2008/09/29/pete-sampras-backhands-tina-fey
In a time of tremendous political unrest in the US, a partisan view is apt to ruffle a few feathers, regardless of the person's political affiliation. Mr. Sampras has the right to voice his opinion about whichever candidate to whom he lends his support.
3) I'm really sad that Mario (Ancic) lost again this week. If he can't beat a player like Gulbis, did he come back too soon from his illness? -petrachic
DdV: Losing to Ernests Gulbis on a hardcourt is nothing unexpected. The match the two played in Metz ended with a very close scoreline of 7/6 and 6/4.
The last health-related update I received about Mario said that he was slowly progressing and feeling much better than he had been over the summer. Good results take time when a player suffers a serious illness that forces him away from the game for months on end.
4) What's the last piece of tour news that really shocked you? -Real Deal
DdV: The ATP tour never ceases to amaze me with its ongoing drama. I trust you have seen the latest indelicate photographs of the current world #1?
Even more shocking than Rafael Nadal's bared behind has been the transformation of former Russian #1, Yevgeny Kafelnikov:
 Used to look like this |
 Now he looks like this |
Since his retirement from the ATP tour in 2004, Kafelnikov has spent some of his time playing for the European PGA tour and the World Series of Poker.
Swirling rumours pick the plump Russian as a possible replacement coach for Marat Safin, whose current coach is the equally ample Argentine, Hernán Gumy. The two countrymen were spotted practicing together shortly after the US Open.
5) What retired or inactive player do you miss the most? -Dailydaisy in Chatsworth
DdV: If I listed them all, we'd be here for an entire day!
At the top of my list is Guillermo Coria. The acerbic Argentine knew how to entertain people while pushing their buttons. He had no friends on tour and didn't care.
Coria's former coach and Davis Cup captain, Franco Davín, still refuses to speak to the former world #3, five years after Coria abruptly fired him. Davín, who currently works alongside Juan Martín del Potro, had some choice words to say about the man known as "El Mago" in tennis circles:
"My relationship with Coria ended badly. I have no contact with him now. His sharp fall is different than (Gastón) Gaudio's. I don't know exactly what happened to him, but it must be a mental problem..."
The ATP needs players who bring a bit of personality to the game, even if they are not likely to win any popularity contests among their peers and former coaches. Guillermo Coria is that type of player; I hope to see him make a full-time return to the tour.
Tell a friend »
Dani, I knew you had a soft spot for the weasel. awwww. :D Remember the patented "coria glare"? Now THAT was a thing of beauty.
cherylmurray , 10/1/08 4:23 PM
Marat Safin is very striking. My word... very nice pictures. LOL.
Weasel Coria. That name he earned makes me giggle, it was well earned.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 4:37 PM
Thanks for the pics. The cranky Russian makes me weak in the knees. Le sigh...
lyta1138 , 10/1/08 4:41 PM
just when i thought i was getting over that knucklehead.... *siiiiiiiiigh*
servolova , 10/1/08 4:49 PM
Pete Sampras is never comfortable in front of the press. :x His is boring as they come.
Allez , 10/1/08 4:51 PM
Marat is one of only a few who connect with people. The reason the calendar doesn't work is because of that. There are lifeless shots, and Marat's eyes... LOL.
Pete never learned.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 4:55 PM
What in blazes happened to Kafelnikov? He doesn't look like he aged well at all. :x
Allez , 10/1/08 4:57 PM
omg safin is too hot for words. the atp should take out all the losers in the first calendar & replace em with marat lol!!
DejaBlue , 10/1/08 5:02 PM
Hi and bye! I'll be back later.:)
Allez , 10/1/08 5:04 PM
lolol i knew it & tried to be here earlier. gb cu l8ter!
DejaBlue , 10/1/08 5:06 PM
Yevgeny put on a few kilos would be my guess. LOL. He is much too young to let go of a regime.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 5:07 PM
you don't have to be pc tell it straight. kafelnikov is a fatty like baggy & nalby. :D
DejaBlue , 10/1/08 5:10 PM
Some of us try to be pc as a rule, dear. LOL. He has definitely filled out his figure a tad.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 5:14 PM
ok more pictures of safin, but none of clown. kafel been to all restaurants in the world. FATTER than fatty nalbandian now. no retirement ceremony bc govern body say he is too fat to honor!!!
elle , 10/1/08 5:33 PM
Poor Rafa getting his bare arse all over the interweb. My computer nearly melted. I snapped it closed before the powers that be cited me for improper internet use at work. Eeep.
lyta1138 , 10/1/08 5:37 PM
Those pictures were like a wildfire really. Rafa was not paying attention and you know the paparazzi is ruthless. Poor Rafa and his poor parents, now you can't remove them.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 5:46 PM
pete is a stone with legs on the same blog as sex on legs.
rafa made a mistake getting changed in view. he has no one to blame but himself if he's upset. if he is upset, he's the only one-------->amazing body he's got.
trixxyfest , 10/1/08 5:50 PM
hey elle - if marat blows up like kafelnikov after he retires will you still love him? lol.
servolova , 10/1/08 5:53 PM
for certain bc he never look like fatty fat fcuk kafel. big disgrace when the home country don't wanna celebrate you. marat is not that type of lazy person. he retires & goes to find more clowns, crash up sportscars, go to casinos. what kafel does? EAT his way through time off. :D
elle , 10/1/08 5:58 PM
Marat is loved no matter what he does. LOL. Who else has such long a leash?
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 6:02 PM
yeah trixxyfest, u r right, he should have been more careful. Well, it's a lesson he won't soon forget!
lyta1138 , 10/1/08 6:05 PM
marat will have a pretty face, yevgeny doesn't. i would hate to see marat get that big, but he'll be hot no matter what.
trixxyfest , 10/1/08 6:07 PM
i think he has to remember he is watched constantly. in interviews he is the boy from the island. that's true like he sees it, but the paps don't. he learned a lesson about lack of privacy the hard way.
trixxyfest , 10/1/08 6:10 PM
If they are hitting together, maybe Yevgeny will return to his fitness. Pete put on weight after he left, then lost it again.
I don't know if I need to feel sorry for Rafa, sometimes he seems so young and so clueless about these matters. LOL.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 6:14 PM
Aw RQ, but that's why we love him!
lyta1138 , 10/1/08 6:17 PM
this is sort of cruel i know, but i don't. even if rafa is clueless he needs to learn his lessons. unless he wants to get caught he has to be more careful----->it gets worse for him now not better.
trixxyfest , 10/1/08 6:19 PM
marat is loved becasue he's physically perfect. when he doesn't have that anymore....i shudder to think.
servolova , 10/1/08 6:20 PM
ITA he must smarten up. It's just so....embarassing.
lyta1138 , 10/1/08 6:21 PM
I know so, dear. I do as well. I gather that Cheryl does as well reading her comments about Rafa. The only one who doesn't share our love is Dani. LOL.
At twenty two years of age, I wonder. He will be learning on the job whether desired or not, paparazzi won't ask his permission.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 6:22 PM
he is old enough now, no longer a teenager. people have to let go of rafa the bebe teenie, hello------>ADULT MALE
trixxyfest , 10/1/08 6:24 PM
I really can't see Marat going to pot. He puts on the hot mess look, but he cares. If he did give up... now the two of us are thinking and shuddering. LOL.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 6:26 PM
I love Marat due to the beauty and the attitude. What is it about the bad ones that is so attractive? He's interesting to watch even when he's tanking painfully.
lyta1138 , 10/1/08 6:30 PM
btw davin always a whiner coaching whiners. gaudio & jmdp is the crybaby types of player, coria was not that way. he cannot serve unfortunately so he struggle with the tour. davin talk **** @ him when he is fired for wrong reasons.
elle , 10/1/08 6:32 PM
Every girl likes an emotional bad one. We are wired for emotional complexity. LOL. Marat is a wild ride, and women (and men I guess? LOL) respond to it even when it makes us want to scream.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 6:35 PM
elle- davin is a great coach. gaudio won the fo and delpo is at his high ranking. do you like to wind people up or do you really believe that? if it's choice 2, explain.
trixxyfest , 10/1/08 6:38 PM
I'll admit straight away I am not a Gaston Gaudio expert... the snippets of his career I saw while watching matches, he didn't ring as a whiner to me. He let go on the tennis court a few times. I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
Guille Coria was a difficult personality for anyone to deal with, not only for Franco. I saw JDMP in tears one time, but he had a back ailment.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 6:45 PM
please argies always crying about some thing or the other. you do not see this? many so named tennis fans in need of glasses!!!
elle , 10/1/08 6:45 PM
you make no sense whatsoever elle, but your posts are funny in spite of your { } lol.
trixxyfest , 10/1/08 6:48 PM
rq in case you didn't follow it------>the was bad blood between coria and gaudio for a long time. davin coached both guys----->friends with gaudio now, hates coria to this day.
trixxyfest , 10/1/08 6:56 PM
I remember hearing about them not getting on well, dear. Guille was not the most loved player on tour. LOL.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 7:06 PM
don't matter to me what you think. if you are really a fan of this game you know what a truth is. fact is coria had some leg cramping and some nerves ok. he lost that match but should have won bc he is more a talented player. nobody gonna remember gaudio over coria. one bad day he had, they play again it is a different result.
elle , 10/1/08 7:15 PM
(((delurk)))i heard his name........i heat up like a burnin' flame......memba that song dolly? xxxooo(((delurk)))
mishy , 10/1/08 7:19 PM
She will kill you now, dear. LOL. I hope you are insured.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 7:26 PM
forget pc lol! he's an athlete isn't their job to keep themselves from looking like a tub of lard?!?!
DejaBlue , 10/1/08 7:41 PM
ONE QUESTION??????? I wanted a whole blog about THE SAFIN!!!!! :(
Britney , 10/1/08 7:49 PM
Surely, but isn't he allowed to relax a bit now that his playing days have ceased? Be charitable. LOL.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 8:01 PM
Rafa got his because he is ranked number one. Marat must do better than an immediate exit to a nobody in Thailand. LOL. I get copies of some of the mail, and many of the emails about Marat are the same. Little girls have one track minds, I see.
I right like him too though, I will see if I have any clout here. LOL.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 8:06 PM
This pic of Kafelnikov is not a recent one. He has lost weight since then and he's back to tennis. ;) Going to play exhibition in October.
Tian , 10/1/08 8:39 PM
i hope you do he needs one. so do i looking at safin pics are good for my health lol. :p
DejaBlue , 10/1/08 8:45 PM
I shall do my very best for you, dear.
RocketQueen , 10/1/08 9:05 PM
Britney, dear, I bet you know where to look for only Marat news :P
Anyway, maybe this latest video of Marat's intervew from Moscow will ease your pain a bit LOL
http://video.sportbox.ru/VidySporta/Tennis/v_20081001112900_marat safinbolejuzaspartak
Tian , 10/1/08 9:10 PM
the video doesn't work for me. :( oh well i'm sure he looked great in it.
DejaBlue , 10/1/08 9:33 PM
DejaBlue -he looks clean shaven and very serious LOL
Tian , 10/1/08 9:50 PM
& in a better mood i hope after his time in bangkok. i know he got a bunch of bad press for it which was not fair. in serious mode with no peach fuzz? blue loves it loves it lol!!!
DejaBlue , 10/1/08 9:58 PM
tian - that link doesn't work.
servolova , 10/1/08 10:26 PM
Aww I thought the whole entry would be about Marat haha. Thanks for the info and the photos, though. Here's hoping he fares well at the Kremlin Cup.
Oh and the link isn't working :-(
firefemme , 10/1/08 11:46 PM
dani - so how much longer do you think he should play?
servolova , 10/1/08 11:53 PM
he is not gonna stop soon he says so. playing now to enjoy win or lose, sounding like he don't care one way or another. he plays up to the point tennis means more than clowns. :D
elle , 10/2/08 12:21 AM
truth be told, i really don't think he enjoys tennis anymore. his last couple of matches have made it painfully obvious. i think he keeps playing becasue he doesn't know what else to do with himself and he'll miss the amount of attention bestowed on him.
servolova , 10/2/08 12:33 AM
lol u & the effin clowns all day! ita with lova he doesn't look as happy. i will cry a river when it comes but if he's miserable why keep playing? attention is like a drug for famous people & when it's gone its really bad news for someone like him.
DejaBlue , 10/2/08 12:43 AM
why he would quit? easy to come in to collect his appearances fee and gamble it away in the casinos. even losing he find out a way to have fun. who cares?
elle , 10/2/08 1:00 AM
don't you think he will end up getting sick & tired of losing if he's unhappy? an ap fee check won't take that bad feeling away. he is a 2 time gs winner it's not like the guy has no pride for god's sakes!
DejaBlue , 10/2/08 1:15 AM
Speaking of players who bring personality to the game, we have a new crop of young, up and coming talent..del potro, nishikori, querry...to name a few. I am looking forward to getting to know these players. I think we will witness an exodus of the older "has beens". and rightly so. we need new material (gossip) to debate.
mercedes20 , 10/2/08 1:24 AM
wake up. marat got no pride after 2005 ok? look i like the guy like you maybe more, but a time come when you got no choices but to see real things in life. you think he plays like he has pride? tell me where or it is an end of dicsussion. :D
elle , 10/2/08 1:32 AM
Niiiiiiccccccccccccceeeee job DdV!
Got to snap out of it now and get back to work...
BernieEliza , 10/2/08 1:36 AM
hey mercedes- who are the "has beens?" are you talking about federer's generation with safin, hewitt, ferrero? new material works for me...
trixxyfest , 10/2/08 1:36 AM
how about roddick, blake, hewitt, santoro. moya, federer, etc...
mercedes20 , 10/2/08 1:51 AM
american tennis is hopeless. deceased. roddick plus blake, both clowns. querry is top 50 best case, nice kid but moving like feet are made from clay.
elle , 10/2/08 2:05 AM
i think santoro is set up to retire at year's end? i think...i'm not 100% sure of it.
trixxyfest , 10/2/08 2:06 AM
Safin is watchable on ANY day :)))
danica , 10/2/08 2:59 AM
pete sampras is being a hypocrite on that tape. that rogaine must really be working for him.
servolova , 10/2/08 3:29 AM
sampras the washed up has been with personality of a corpse. never should be allowed to speak.
elle , 10/2/08 3:53 AM
aww i'll miss santoro!!! nobody played the game like him.
DejaBlue , 10/2/08 5:04 AM
Completely Agree Danica!!
BernieEliza , 10/2/08 5:10 AM
Why Marat should stop doing something he has been doing all his life? He wanted to retire in 2006 because of his knee but now he feels relatively healthy at last and he still has a couple of years left. Contrary to popular opinion he does work hard enough to have a couple of more good results like this year Wimby SF. If he stops now there would be no way back. As long as he's healthy and keeps on playing he has a chance for a little come back. Of course he's too old already and it's too late to hope for a big title, but even a small one would be nice. Why not?
Tian , 10/2/08 7:50 AM
Le sigh! Rolling ova with my legs up in the air laughing without question! But Pete without his shirt was always hot!
Kenny , 10/2/08 10:38 AM
Marat wil stop when he phyically cant play anymore, right now he has no longterm injuries which he had in his early career, the day he stops enjoying travelling around the world, stayig at 5 star hotels, meeting beautiful people, and cant run is the day he will quit. You guys need to listen and read his interviews to understand what motivates him now, its not money or rankings its the lifestyle it provides, its all he has done in his life, why retire when their will be a time soon he cant play professional ever again.
Britney , 10/2/08 11:57 AM
Britney - I don't think he enjoys travelling around the world that much. At any opportunity he has he always goes back home to Mosow. The main reason he still plays is really as you said " why retire now when there will be a time soon he can't play professional ever again."
To everybody who says he should retire I can only tell that if he had retired last year he wouldn't have reached Wimby SF and wouldn't have SF of all 4 GS. It's not that bad for a career, isn't it? If he had retired in 2000 after bad start of the year, after being fined for not trying and losing first rounds he would't have won USO. If he had stopped playing in 2004 after first round loss at USO (as he wanted to) he would have never won AO. So, guys, why not let him be. If he keeps on playing and wins something - good, if he never ever wins anything, so let it be, he'll have to retire soon anyway.
Tian , 10/2/08 12:24 PM
I remember his Miami Press Conference where he said he enjoyed going to interesting places, that the playing and the travelling is not easy to give up. That he as a player loves the adrenaline of the competion etc. He once also said he gets bored when he has to stay in one place for a longer time period. This nomadic life style can't be given up ever. That's why so many stay on to work as coaches, TV commentators, advisors, representatives, play senior tournaments, are managers.
It will be just the same for Marat. He's maybe more moody than the others but I think we should not let ourselves be betrayed, he has lived like this for almost 20 years, if it wasn't to his liking we would never have seen him on the Pro Tour at all.
sunshinereggae , 10/2/08 1:05 PM
the link: http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=48569
sunshinereggae , 10/2/08 1:10 PM
TIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
now that i have your attention, would you please provide us with a link that works.
servolova , 10/2/08 3:20 PM
Thank you for the link above, telling interview indeed. When Marat is in the mood to speak about whatever is on his mind, the tour has no player more compelling.
I haven't lived like him, but I'd gather it's tough to surrender a lifestyle like his.
RocketQueen , 10/2/08 5:11 PM
http://spletnik.ru/img/2008/10/bru/01-05/02/metel/20081002-ALM_6233.jp g still with the clown!
sunshinereggae , 10/2/08 6:03 PM
servolova
a bit desperate here, no? LOL The link is still the same, it should work now
http://video.sportbox.ru/VidySporta/Tennis/v_20081001112900_marat safinbolejuzaspartak
There is nothing too interesting tough, it's in russian, after his practice in Moscow.
Tian , 10/2/08 6:15 PM
sorry! above seems to be wrong link again
try this one
http://video.sportbox.ru/VidySporta/Tennis
click on the first video
Tian , 10/2/08 6:18 PM
i think there's a problem with sending links, they get changed... maybe this one works, scroll down and you find Marat with his girlfriend from a yesterday's award show. http://spletnik.ru/articles/events/20081002_premiya_muz_tv_vyshla_na_D VD.html
sunshinereggae , 10/2/08 8:08 PM
you need to copy paste the links and then remove the spaces
sunshinereggae , 10/2/08 8:12 PM
What I like best about Maret Safin is that he still gives it ago'. He is a great tennis player so why should he retire!! How dare people who do not know him suggest such a thing....the game is about winning and losing. People who win all the time are boring!!!! What makes him so interesting is the fact that he does lose but then can beat a top player. Good on you Marat. Tennis without him would be boring!!!!!
bridgie , 10/3/08 2:34 AM
dunno what i did wrong when i tried the last link. :( nehow there's nobody like marat & i hope he plays to 40 years old!!! :D
DejaBlue , 10/3/08 6:36 AM
Ok. I'll take my shirt off.
Kenny , 10/3/08 11:02 PM
Six-pack!
milivice , 10/4/08 1:59 AM
Aw, Marat...he lost the final in Moscow :(
Anyway, maybe he's still playing professional tennis because he still doesnt know what to do in his life.
ballgirl , 10/13/08 4:06 PM
Dani DeVine brings you the lighter side of the ATP. Comment or concerns? Contact Dani at dani.devine [AT] tennistalk.com...
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Did you know that... Marat Safin holds the ATP Tour season record for most racquets broken.
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From hall of fame to hall of shame.
milivice , 10/1/08 4:10 PM