Russian · Moscow, Russia · Born 27 January 1980Russian who won the 2000 US Open and 2005 Australian Open with immense power, twice reaching world No. 1 and leading Russia to Davis Cup glory.
Marat Mubinovich Safin was born on 27 January 1980 in Moscow, in the Soviet Union, to Rausa Islanova and Mikhail Safin, both tennis coaches — his father managed the Spartak Tennis Club, and his mother coached him from age six to 13, when he was sent to Valencia, Spain, to continue his development away from home. His younger sister, Dinara Safina, would also become a professional player. Safin turned professional in 1996 and developed into one of the most talented, if temperamentally volatile, players of his generation, standing 1.94 metres tall and combining explosive power with genuine touch — a champion racket smasher who broke an estimated 700 rackets across his career. He won his first Grand Slam title at the 2000 US Open, dismantling defending champion Pete Sampras in straight sets to become the first Russian man to win the title, at just 20 years old. Safin reached the world No. 1 ranking that November, becoming, at the time, the youngest player in the Open Era to top the rankings. He added a second major at the 2005 Australian Open, defeating Roger Federer in an epic semi-final before beating Lleyton Hewitt in the final, and helped Russia win the Davis Cup in both 2002 and 2006. Safin and his sister Dinara became the only brother-sister pair in tennis history to both reach the world No. 1 ranking. He retired in 2009 following a second-round loss to Juan Martín del Potro at the Paris Masters, was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2016, and later served in Russia's State Duma from 2011 to 2017.
Powerful and mercurial two-time Grand Slam champion
His sister Dinara Safina also reached No. 1 in the world on the WTA Tour — making them the only brother-sister pair to both be ranked No. 1 in tennis.
Did You Know?How They Played
Safin possessed one of the most powerful games on the ATP Tour, with a devastating forehand and strong serve that could reach speeds over 140 mph. His aggressive baseline style was complemented by excellent court coverage and natural athleticism, allowing him to hit winners from seemingly impossible positions.
Lasting Impact
Safin paved the way for Russian men's tennis and inspired a generation of players from his country to achieve success on the international stage.
Career Honours
- 2 Grand Slam singles titles
- world No. 1 for 9 weeks
- 2x Davis Cup champion (2002, 2006)
- International Tennis Hall of Fame (2016)
Russian Athletes