Safin hire coach

Marat Safin has hired a new coach and fitness trainer after admitting he needs to get fitter if he is to reclaim his place in the top 10.

The 27-year-old has split with Alexander Volkov and hired Gustavo Kuerten's former coach Hernan Gumy and fitness trainer Miguel Maseo.

"With a new coach I feel I can bring something more to my game," said Safin.

Safin, a former world number one, is without a title since winning the 2005 Australian Open.

He was sidelined for six months with a knee injury but he has struggled to regain top form since returning to action in February 2006.

"I feel this summer is crucial for my career and I am determined to do something," said the Russian, whose first tournament of the US hardcourt season is the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles from 16 July.

"I felt encouraged after my matches in Wimbledon and although I did not beat Roger, I did feel that I started to play better in the third set.

"Although I felt encouraged I also realised I need to do something with my game to make sure I get back where I want to be - in the top 10.

"I look forward to working with Hernan with his experience. I do not have a lot of points to defend this summer so I want to work hard and do well. My ranking is now 22 and my goal is to get higher.

"I know I can improve and I will do my very best to be there again."

Safin's previous coaches include Mats Wilander, Peter Lundgren, Denis Golovanov and Marc Rosset.

I am not really up on my coaches Petalp - so dont know if this will make much difference to Marats game - what do you think?

It was good to hear that he was encouraged after his matches at Wimbledon (especially as he hates playing on grass!) and I am pleased that he is focused on doing something about his game. I just hope it works.

Pebs, i'm not too much on my coaches either, but I'm thinking that it might be a first for him to hire a fitness coach as well as a general coach?

Usually only the very top players have those, such as Fed and Rafa, and the fitness coach shows that he really means business..

Now if he cuts down a little on his, erm, "lifestyle choices" for just a few months, then that might help too, perhaps?

I like the sound of all of this though. Marat wants to go for it, and pull out all of the stops to give himself the best chance to do well.

Would be great to see him back in the top 5 or so... (drifts into reverie and imagines a Fed v Safin USO final..)

I guess a fitness coach might make him cut down on certain lifestyle choices so that would work! And yes, it does all sound positive - I hope he does really go for it.

*joins in with reverie*

I love it how the fact that safin gets a new coach has a whole thread dedicated to it but Nalbandian and his new coach have been ignored :lol:

:whistle:

yeah but Safin's is a 53 seater with it's own bar and cinema and everything SG!!

:D

*waits for drooly posts about sleeping (or other) arrangements therein*

dont know what you mean lexy :halo:

Erm, yup.. :)

incidentally, on another tennis board there was a whole thread devoted to Nalbandian about this, and not a squeak about Safin..

So I guess that this balances things up..

Although Nalby fans are welcome to start a thread of their own, of course ;)

Are you sure its not a new couch for Safin (old ones worn out ) :P

If anyone is going to wear out a couch it's going to be nalbyboy, surely? :devil:

Something's got to give with that girth after all .. :whistle:

Depends on what it is that wore out the couch ... :o

Oh, just general wear and tear through El Rey being weighed down by both the expectations of his nation, plus a few burger-induced kilos here and there ;)