Marat Safin 
safinator.com
MARAT MUBINOVICH SAFIN
Born: January 27, 1980; Moscow, Russia
Nationality: Russian
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height:1.93 meters (6'4'')
Weight:88.6 kg (195 lbs.)
Languages: Russian, English, Spanish
Pro since: October 1997
Right handed (two-handed backhand)
Family: Father ? Misha, Mother ? Rausa Islanova, Sister -Dinara (also tennis player)
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Marat Safin
was born in Moscow on 27th January 1980 to Misha and Rausa Islanova. It has been said that Marat Safin is a born champion. His mother, Rausa, was a former top 10 Russian player who used to take baby Marat with her when she practiced at the local Spartak club, which was managed by his father, Mikhail. Marat began to play tennis at the age of 6. Rausa served as her son's coach from ages 6 to 13.
At the age of 13, with the training facilities and opportunities in Russia almost non-existent, Marat and his mother visited a tennis academy in Valencia. There they met Maria Pasqual, former director of Spanish women?s tennis, who was asked to assess his potential. Pasqual recognized the enormous natural talent of the young Marat and persuaded a wealthy Swiss client into sponsoring Marat and keeping him at the academy.
In 2003, Marat finished out of Top 50 for first time since 1997. His play was limited to 13 tournaments after suffering throughout the season with a left wrist injury.
In 2004, the No. 1 Russian battled back from an injury-riddled 2003 season to finish in the Top 4 for third time in five years. He won three ATP titles, including two ATP Masters Series shields, and reached two other finals. Marat was the runner up to Roger Federer in the Australian Open, losing in straight sets after gruelling victories over Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick.
After the unexpected final appearance at the Australian Open, Safin's comeback took another turn for the worse, with early round losses throughout the summer, including a first round loss at the US Open to Thomas Enqvist.
Safin took on a new coach, Peter Lundgren late in 2004. He went on to win the title in Beijing followed by wins in Madrid and Paris TMS events. Safin managed to pull his ranking up from No. 86 to finish the year No. 4 in the world, making his fourth appearance in the Tennis Masters Cup in Houston.
2005 started out great with Marat finally winning his long awaited second Grand Slam title in Australia. After taking out the defending Champion Roger Federer in the semi-final, Safin went on to take the title from Australia's own Lleyton Hewitt.
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