Fuente : Wimbledon
http://www.wimbledon.org

WIMBLEDON: In Praise of the Safinator

/noticias.info/ Wednesday, 22 June, 2005

Marat Safin may not be terribly keen on the strange grass of Wimbledon, but one of the finest exponents ever to grace SW19 rates him highly. John McEnroe was full of praise for the Australian Open champion after Safin's second round win over Mark Philippoussis, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4.

"When he plays right and feels right, Marat can be awesome no matter what the surface," McEnroe told BBC Sport. "We saw that when he beat Roger Federer in the Australian semis. After his first round match here, he said that was the best he has played in the six months since his Australian win, and I can believe it. That was by far the best grasscourt match I've ever seen him play.

"Safin has had one of the best backhands up the line since he came on the circuit. It's a great shot. He's an incredible physical specimen, so strong and fit and moves extremely well. Today he didn't have all that many chances - no break points in the first two sets - but he took the opportunities he had.

"If the ball bounce stays true on the courts, he can beat anyone. But he has the toughest draw in the whole men's competition, and he needs to string together seven great matches. His next opponent Feliciano Lopez will be tough - he's crafty, a lefty, attacks a lot.

"Marat also has this issue with his knee, which is scheduled for surgery after Wimbledon. He's saying in the locker room that it doesn't feel right and I have to think that will become a factor down the line, because on grass that kind of injury makes you tentative. He has to exert mind over matter. But you know, he's a great character - smart, speaks about five languages, has a lot of personality and is a good-looking guy. If you know him, you've got to like him."

McEnroe had sympathy for 28-year-old Philippoussis, unable to sustain his game while battling his myriad injuries. Quite apart from his long-term knee problem, Philippoussis missed the Australian this year with a groin injury, then tore an ankle ligament, and acquired a back injury before Wimbledon. He even managed to hurt his other ankle during the match against Safin. But McEnroe clearly feels that the Australian has not maximised his talent.

"Mark has let his career slip away," said the three-times Wimbledon champion. "He's fallen off the map completely. Some of it is bad luck, but he should work harder. It's his commitment I question, his desire. I'd be happier if he dedicated himself more to playing.

"When the trainer was called out to attend his right ankle at the end of the first set, I thought: 'Is there any part of Mark's body that he hasn't injured?' But a lot of injuries happen when you're not fit enough. He's let his conditioning go since he was in the 2003 Wimbledon final. Last November when I was helping him with a little coaching, he told me how serious he wants to be about his career now that he may only have five years left. But then I looked in the paper the next day and he's out with Paris Hilton.

"You know, he's a good kid. He's very dangerous and if he does get himself back into tiptop shape, he could still be a threat - otherwise he's going to let his career slip away."

Written by Kate Battersby notas_de_prensa_archivo