BLOG: Seriously Safin
Date published :
10 Jul 2010 - 18:27:46
OG: Seriously SafinBy Richard van PoortvlietAn interested spectator at the Russia vs Argentina Davis Cup quarterfinal tie in Moscow has been hometown hero Marat Safin. And it seems entirely possible that the way this tie is going for the home side (Argentina leads 2-1 going into Sunday’s last two matches), the two-time Davis Cup champion might be itching to get out on court to help out his country.It was almost hard to tell this week that Safin is a retired two-time grand slam champion. He’s been with the Russian team all week long, acting as a hitting partner for the likes of Mikhail Youzhny and Nikolay Davydenko, despite not having picked up a racket for almost three months. That said he looked in pretty good form!However, the 30 year-old Muscovite says he’s not going to attempt a comeback now or probably ever, as he’s enjoying life away from tennis, saying, I’ve done enough for tennis, and I just happy to try and help out the guys and so that they feel comfortable.”Away from the court, Safin is keeping himself busy, so busy in fact that nightclubs and bars have been put on the backburner for the moment. Instead of partying hearty, Safin is dabbling with politics, helping out the Russian Olympic Committee, but his main goal is trying to set up Russia’s first tennis academy.It’s day by day work what I am doing now, every day is the same routine,” Safin says. There are a lot of things to be done, and I need to hurry up as we need to make things start happening in the next five-ten years to ensure a bright future for Russian tennis.”Safin was a stalwart for the Russian Davis Cup team following the turn of the millennium, helping his country to win the competition twice. Now he’s devoting the next few years of his life to try and help a new generation of youngsters, who hopefully will go onto emulate his feats on the court.A starred-palateBy Sandra HarwittIt would be hard not to give a mention to the famed Michelin Guides when the France-Spain Davis Cup quarterfinal tie is taking place in Clermont-Ferrand, the home of Michelin.Here’s a tip there’s a common misconception that the chef receives coveted and infrequently bestowed Michelin stars. However, it’s the restaurant that is given the honour of stars. But it would be na not to think that the caliber of the chef is directly instrumental in a restaurant becoming a Michelin-starred establishment. The Michelin guide awards one-star, two-star, and three-star distinctions to restaurants and even to achieve a one-star status is an amazing feat.So, if you happen to be spending the weekend in Clermont-Ferrand like DavisCup.com contributor Craig Gabriel, who said he was in the hunt for a Michelin star-rated dining experience, there’s good news. He absolutely will be able to dine in a Michelin-starred restaurant if the players cooperate and don’t play too late into the evening. There are actually four restaurants in the area that are among the 455 one-star Michelin restaurants in France: Apicius and Fleur de Sel are new to one-star status this year, along with old-timers Emmanuel Hodencq and Jean-Claude Leclerc.Bon Appetite, Monsieur Gabriel!Tourism: hot fun in the summertimeBy Sandra HarwittWhen most people picture Moscow they think of frigid conditions, snow and ice, and people so bundled up that it’s hard to even see their faces poking out from scarves and hats. In truth, there’s something elegant about the way the icicles hang off the bare branches and the city sparkles in the snow.But be assured that Muscovites delight in their short summer months even more than most could imagine. Surprisingly, Moscow becomes a beautiful city with green parks and exquisite plants and flowers. In fact, wintertime ice sculptures in the park turn to sand sculptures in the summer. And locals unwrap from their heavy wool winter wear to miniskirts and hopes of a tan.Thinking Moscow and cold, many tourists might not think that a nice respite during a touring day would be enjoying lunch at an outdoor cafirectly across from the Kremlin. But as is the case in most of Europe, you’ll find cafes with outside seating. A perfect spot and there could be some blooming flowers in eye sight.BLOG EDITOR...Sandra HarwittSandra, an American sportswriter for longer than she's willing to admit, has travelled the world to cover tennis for major publications, such as ESPN.com, The Miami Herald, and Associated Press. Her biggest problem of late is managing to pack worldwide purchases into suitcases and still meet the airline weight restrictions.
