OLYMPIC TENNIS TOURNAMENT

August 15, 2004

Marat Safin

THE MODERATOR: Can we have the first question for Marat.

MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, it's a little bit of both. Tough conditions. We have very bad balls, I have to admit and I have to be honest. It's not balls that we used to play. I don't know who choose to play with these balls, but it definitely made a lot of people suffering. And especially for his game, you know, it's a little bit windy, quite windy, and strange balls for him, for his game doesn't suit. So first set it took him a little bit -- took him like all the first set to get used to it. But then he start to play better and better, felt little bit more confident on the court.

MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, but even this, I didn't see a lot of people watching other sports. If you check on the TV, there are not that many people that are really watching.

MARAT SAFIN: It's not surprising to me. But I don't know what is the reason. But I definitely know there were some rumors that not many people are coming here. Even that I saw the rumors that the hotels, they are reducing 50% of discountt they're making on the rooms. So I'm not surprised.

MARAT SAFIN: Of course, we have to focus a little bit on our job, but we don't care about those kind of things. But still, we have eyes and we see that not many people are interested in the sports. It's not like I'm catching you by surprise, no? You've noticed that also, right? Obviously.

MARAT SAFIN: Okay, that's the thing. It's a little bit -- it is a little bit different, Olympic Games, like for the tennis players than for other sport, for the other athletes because we have a little bit different schedule. We have 42 tournaments, 42 weeks we can play tennis, you know. For other athletes, they prepare for the World Championships, European Championships and Olympic Games. So basically they have three biggest event, and Olympic Games is every four years. For us we have four Grand Slam events a year. So that's what I'm saying, it's a little bit different. You cannot just, you know, what is really important, what is not? Of course, Olympic Games is important because you're playing for the country and it's a little bit prestigious, and it gives you a good image. So that's the thing. I don't think it's not really nobody cares. Of course, everybody cares; otherwise, no people would come. And especially that we have points also for winning this event. So basically if you play well, you can get lot of points, which is good for the race, to get to the end of the year to the Masters.

MARAT SAFIN: I said the reasons.

MARAT SAFIN: Like Davis Cup? I don't know. Maybe it's a good idea. But still like this, maybe there is more chances to win more medals for the countries. You know, there is singles, doubles. Otherwise, it would be by team, is only one medal.

MARAT SAFIN: Could be also a possibility.