A two-time Grand Slam champion has been looking unrecognisable in his new role at the Indian Wells Masters. The player, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2008, triumphed at the US Open in 2000 and the Australian Open in 2005. He was ranked as the world’s best player by the ATP for nine weeks after winning his first Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows.
He earned over £10million in prize money throughout his glittering career before retiring from professional tennis in 2009. The 46-year-old later ventured into politics in his native Russia, becoming a member of the State Duma representing the United Russia party. He is now a tennis coach and has been sporting a very different look at Indian Wells this week.
The player in question is Marat Safin, who has been working with Andrey Rublev since last year’s clay-court swing. Unlike his playing days, he now sports a bushy beard and long, flowing locks.
Known for his short temper during his professional career, Safin has been tasked with helping to manage Rublev’s fiery emotions on the court.
The latter has been ranked as high as fifth by the ATP but is currently 17th. He was beaten in his first match at Indian Wells, losing at the hands of Gabriel Diallo in three sets.
Rublev has since been playing doubles with Karen Khachanov, reaching the quarter-finals before losing to Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech.
Speaking about his partnership with Safin last year, Rublev said: “He had his own struggles that he went through and I was always afraid to ask [about] those things, but I always wanted to.
“When I found out he was looking maybe to work in tennis, it was like: ‘OK, I have to at least [try]’. It’s crazy because now, with Marat and members of my team, they’re killing me.
“I can’t remember another year when they have done this to me. It’s fitness to begin with for two-and-a-half hours, then it’s tennis for two hours.
“He’s killing me. No mistakes from the baseline, high intensity from the baseline until you make it. This push is all for me. It’s always about yourself.”
Safin has also taken part in various legends events since returning to the tennis scene. He teamed up with Bethanie Mattek-Sands to take on Pat Rafter and Kim Clijsters in a doubles contest at the US Open last year.