By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, March 8, 2016
"Yevgeny Kafelnikov, I think he achieved more than me," Marat Safin said.
Photo credit: Kremlin Cup
The last time Marat Safin won a life-changing election it earned him a spot in Russian Federal Parliament.
Today, the unpredictable champion had an appropriately unexpected reaction to his election into the International Tennis Hall of Fame: Surprise.
More: Serena, Henin, Safin React to Sharapova's Failed Drug Test
Safin is the first Russian to enter the Hall, but insists he's not the best.
The man who owns a seat in the Duma doesn't have a vote in the Hall of Fame elections, but Safin showed strong support to compatriots Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Elena Dementieva as worthy candidates for Hall of Fame induction.
The two-time Grand Slam champion called his friend and former Davis Cup doubles partner Kafelinikov "a better player" and said he's surprised to reach Newport before his fellow former world No. 1.
"Also surprised because Yevgeny Kafelnikov, I think he achieved more than me," Safin told the media in a conference call announcing his Hall of Fame induction. "I was surprised, I don't know, because for me he is better player. But anyway, thanks."
Numbers support Safin's statement.
The Sochi-born Kafelnikov, the last man to sweep Grand Slam singles and doubles titles at the same tournament (1996 Roland Garros), matched Safin winning two Grand Slam singles titles.
Kafelnikov won nearly 200 more matches (609 to 422), 11 more singles titles (26 to 15) and nearly $10 million more in prize money than Safin. He also captured the gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games and collected four Grand Slam doubles titles.
Kafelnikov played another prominent role in Russian tennis: He donated some of his old gear to Maria Sharapova's father and first coach, Yuri.
Of course, Safin knows all that. The Parliamentary member cited Kafelnikov's record lobbying on his friend's behalf.
"I would love to see him there also because basically he was the first one who raised the level of tennis in Russia on a different level," Safin said. "He was the first one who won a Grand Slam event, he was a No. 1. He won Grand Slams in doubles, singles, and Olympic gold medal. I think he deserves. At some point he is going to be inducted. It would be obviously a pleasure.
"For sure, I would love to see Yevgeny Kafelnikov, for sure he deserves it."
Olympic gold medal champion Dementieva never won a Grand Slam singles title, but Safin supports her for future Hall of Fame induction based on her contributions to Russian tennis. Dementieva won 16 titles and was a two-time Grand Slam finalist.
"I think Dementieva, she deserves (induction) at certain point," Safin said. "These two people, they've done really good for the world tennis and from a Russian point of view. I think that's the two people (who should be inducted)."
When Safin is inducted with Justine Henin on July 16th, he plans to enter the Hall armed with an accomplice: His Head Prestige racquet.
"For sure the racquet (will be with me). I think it's very special racquet," Safin said. "The Prestige Classic 600, the classic. It was a difficult racquet to play. It's a very special racquet. You have to be a certain player to be able to play with this racquet. I think it made a big impact into the sport for anyone who played with this racquet. It's a classic one so I think it should belong there.
"I think the shoes and the T-shirt from adidas, the two companies who have been supporting me from the beginning of my career. I am thankful to them for that, for believing in me, and being nice, being be part of the big family. I think they deserve and everybody should know they're very good companies. Thanks for supporting the Russian tennis and believing in it."