Birthdate: 1/27/1980
Height: 6'4'' (193 cm)
Weight: 195 lbs (88 kg)
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 1997
Current ATP Race Position: 8
Career Review
Singles Record: 251 - 110
Singles Titles: 11
Double Titles: 0
Prize Money: $9,426,485
Singles Career Titles (11)
1999--Boston
2000--Barcelona, Mallorca, Montreal / Toronto,Paris Indoor, St. Petersburg, Tashkent, US Open;
2001--St. Petersburg, Tashkent;
2002--Paris TMS
Finalist (9)
1999--Paris Indoor
2000--Hamburg, Indianapolis
2001--Dubai
2002--Australian Open, Hamburg TMS
2003--Barcelona;
2004--Australian Open, Estoril
2004 Highlights
Singles Finalist: Australian Open, Estoril
Semifinalist: Mont Carlo TMS
Personal
Began playing tennis at age six with his father, Misha, director of a small tennis club in Moscow, and mother, Rausa Islanova, who served as her son's coach from ages 6 to 13...Has a younger sister, Dinara Safina (born Apr. 26, 1986), who won her first WTA title in 2002 and won her second in Palermo in 2003... 2000...She reached the Top 50 in July 2003...A fan of Spartak, Moscow soccer team and NBA star Shaquille O'Neal of Los Angeles Lakers...Trains part of season in Valencia where he spent most of his years as a youth (from age 13-19) and works out with several Spanish players...Named ATP Newcomer of Year in 1998 and ATP Most Improved Player of Year in 2000...Has a 17-13 career Davis Cup record (11-10 in singles) in 12 ties and member of winning team in 2002...Profiled as a breakthrough performer in People Magazine's "Most Intriguing People" issue in Dec. 2000...Named "2000 Newcomer of the Year" at Laureus World Sports Awards in Monte Carlo...Coached by countryman and part-time ATP player Denis Golovanov (since 2003) after working with five different coaches in previous three seasons (also worked briefly with Marc Rosset in 2002).
(chinaopen.cn September 10, 2004)
