When did you first become interested / show an interest in tennis?
It was because of my parents. My mother was a tennis player and she is now my sister's coach. She use to work at Spartak Moscow and had a group of young players with her. That's how I started to be interested in tennis, when she was coaching the kids I started to like it and here I am.

Most thrilling moment in sports
I think I am still waiting for that moment. That will be the day that Spartak Moscow reaches the final of the Champions League and wins it. I have not really lived the one moment that stays in my head.

What is the biggest challenge you have overcome in tennis?
Probably to win the Espinho Challenger. At a very difficult moment in my life gave me the possibility to pass from Satellites to play Challengers. Before that tournament I was ranked No. 400 and had no money to travel, because I didn't have a sponsor either. After winning that event I could afford to keep my coach and travel to tournaments.

What was your most important victory?
I think beating (Andre) Agassi in Roland Garros two years ago. I did not expect it, so it was great. It was the first time I have passed the qualification at a Grand Slam and there I beat Agassi. I got in the Top 100 with that one. It was unbelievable!

What special steps do you take to mentally prepare for a big match? I don't really take special steps. I try to be relaxed, but not alone. I like to stay focused but not too serious. I like to talk to others before the match. How do you cope with defeat? I do not like to lose. I can brake some racquets. What (thus far) has been the defining point in your career? Obviously finding a sponsor and going to Spain was something that changed a lot of things in my life. I went to Spain because my parents found a sponsor, a gentleman that helped me a lot by sending me to Spain, even though I did not want to go in principle.

But then, why Spain?
I am still asking myself why Spain but I think I was very lucky to go there since, thanks to this man, I met a lot of people in Spain that helped me. Thanks to them, I am now playing tennis. They taught me many things about life outside tennis such as living, living on my own, which is tough at the beginning but then you get used to it. It was a good and healthy experience and I am very pleased. I will always thank them for the rest of my life. Now it's much easier to be a tennis player. To be a good tennis player in Russia before was impossible. Everything has changed, because now we have everything. We have balls, we have racquets. We have people for practice. Before it was a little bit difficult because of the situation in the country. It was difficult to get balls and racquets and people left, everybody left the country so I couldn't practice with anybody so I had to leave.

What other sports are you interested in / good at?
I love football (European), but I am not too good at it. I guess I am too tall and do not move well. I am very, very bad at playing it. I also like ice hockey very much. When I was living in Russia I was not that bad at it. There was an ice hockey stadium next to my home and I had the chance to play often. I follow the Olympics and the World Championships.

Do you have any special rituals/habits before, during or after a match?
No, I just break some racquets.

Why do you love tennis?
You have to like it. If you do not, you cannot win. I live for tennis and my life off court is evolving around that. Still that is a very tough question.

Favourites

Band: Scooter (German band); Mike Oldfield

CD: I do not have one specific one I like.

Movie (current):
I love movies and see all of the latest releases. I liked 'Ronin' with Robert DeNiro and I also like 'Torrente,' which is a funny Spanish movie. I also enjoyed 'Dumb and Dumber', but I would not consider it a master piece.

Movie (all time): The ones from Mexican comedy, 'Cantinflas'

Book:
James Headly Chase. It is cheap literature, but good entertainment and easy to read. I also read a lot in Russian. The writer I mention above is North American but I read him in Russian.

Cars (old & new):
I love cars. I have a great passion for them. My favorite one is the Mitsubishi Evolution VI (Moya and Ferrero have it). Jaguar and Mercedes are my favorite old cars as well. I am not a fan of motor sports but I love cars.

Football (soccer) Club:
Spartak Moscow

Outside Interests

Charity
I have not started my own foundation. I will start it some day. I will give money to kids. Kids need more help than grown-ups. I feel sorry for those kids that do not have enough of anything.

What are your favorite non-tennis travel destinations?
I like to go to Moscow. I love it. I also would like to go to the Dominican Republic, Cancun in Mexico and then to Scotland. I am a romantic.

Fashion (special designers/types of clothing?)
Yes, I like fashion and designers. My favorite one is Hugo Boss.

Do you have any pets (type / name / age?)
I have a rabbit at home. He is white and we have had it since December, but it still has no name.

Hobbies (collecting, etc?)
I am open to new adventures and would like to try jet skiing, wind surfing and 4x4 bikes. I had a stamp collection when I was younger. It is still at my parents home in Moscow.

Surfing the net / day trading:
I am not too good at it, but I am learning.

Family Background

How many brothers / sisters?
I have a younger sister (Dinara). She also plays tennis. She is 14 and is going to be a very good player. She played the junior tournament in Roland Garros in 2000.

Any family members with prominent sports background?
My mother (Rausa) played Roland Garros and Wimbledon Junior events. My father (Mikhail) was Moscow's champion in track and field. He competed in 100 meters. My grandfather went to the war. My mother, a tennis coach, does not give me any tennis advice any more. She is now giving this to my sister.

Personal

Who is the most inspirational person in your life?
One of the people that have inspired me most has been Rafael de la Vega, who was my coach. We had to stop but, I still think he was the one who inspired me most.

If you weren't a tennis player, what would you be?
Don't really know. I always wanted to be a tennis player.

How do you deal with popularity?
At the beginning it is kind of difficult and uncomfortable but you get used to it.

Outside of a big win, what is your 'Ideal Day'?
Sleep almost all day. I would stay at home in Moscow with no one around.

Apart from the tennis - what do you like most about being a tennis player?
To have the opportunity to compete. I love to compete.

What do you like least about being a tennis player?
To travel.

How do you cope with the constant travel? You know that it is part of it. You know where you are going. What do you plan to do after tennis? I might open a nice restaurant/club. Little known facts I like watches. I'm allergic to wine.

Weblinks:

To find out more about Marat Safin and for all the latest news on his progress this year, visit his player profile page on the Official ATP Tennis website: http://www.atptennis.com/en/players/playerprofiles/default2.asp?playersearch=Marat+Safin