“I am just tired of doing the same thing for 25 years in a row. I spent only one month in a year during my career. Now I want more intellectual development, and switch the focus of my mind to different areas. Tennis is a great base for human development. But when your peak in tennis passes, you need to leave at the right time not to look pathetic,” Marat Safin told Sport-Express newspaper.
Safin won his last tournament four years ago, crushing home favorite Lleyton Hewitt in the final of the Australian Open in 2005.
“I am nearly 30 years old, and this is a great time in life to retrain, to go study. Or start a family, for example. There are many opportunities to grow. The main thing is to use them properly and not get lost,” the 29-year-old added.
Safin is well aware of the problems facing sportsmen when they finish their career, so his parting with tennis will be gradual.
“I am sure I will keep training. One cannot drop tennis in an instant as it may lead to rapid weight gain. Ten kilograms in a month or two are guaranteed. A smooth transition is needed – gym a couple of times a week and, of course, practice on the court,” the Russian stressed.
But he also plans to have some rest, like all normal people, which includes lying on a couch and watching TV.
“I am tired of flying, of living in hotels and being in constant motion. Sometimes I want just to sit at home doing nothing and not be in a rush,” he said.
And when told that tennis would lack his passion after his retirement, Marat said that the fans should not worry as “sooner or later there will be a madman who will smash rackets better than me or Goran Ivanisevic.”
Safin said he will reveal the plans of his future activities as soon as the end of December.
During his 13 years in the sport Marat Safin has won 15 tournaments, including two Grand Slams – the US Open 2000 and Australian Open 2005.
He held the No. 1 ATP Ranking for nine weeks in 2000, and also twice won the Davis Cup with the Russian team in 2002 and 2006.
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