MARAT Safin last night declared closed his brilliant career in Melbourne after bowing out of the Australian Open against Roger Federer, a friend he described as the greatest champion he had played.
While the Russian, who captured the 2005 Australian title stylishly, threatened one last cameo when pushing the Swiss star to a third-set tiebreaker, it was not to be and his chances were dimmed in controversial fashion.
Safin, who will play out this year, trailed 3-1 when he was foot-faulted on his second serve - not for putting his front foot over the baseline, rather for placing his back foot across the centre line while serving.
It infuriated the 28-year-old, who eye-balled the linesman and questioned him at length.
While Safin fought back to claim the lead in the tiebreak, Federer regrouped and claimed the match 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-5) with a brilliant backhand pass that cleaned the line.
"Unfortunately some people like to take five seconds in the camera. It is such a disappointment," Safin said.
"He said sorry, but it is the most stupid thing I have seen. There shouldn't be this rule, because I am not stepping on the line.
"The tiebreak was very close. For me it was a chance to win a set but then this happens. It was a small chance for me but it just slipped away."
The Muscovite, who conquered Federer in a classic semi-final before defeating Lleyton Hewitt to claim the 2005 title, embraced the Swiss champion at the net before waving good bye to the Australian crowd.
"I don't like this bye bye part. I prefer to leave this way, quietly, nice, with a great match," he said.
"I have been around too many years and I want to change now and do other things. It is enough.
"I lost to one of the greatest ones in the history of tennis tonight. I really hope he wins, because I can then tell my kids I played with him."
The former world No1 and US Open champion said he was disappointed to be leaving Melbourne for the last time.
"I had ups and downs here," said Safin, who played in three finals.
"One disappointment and then one title beating Roger and then Hewitt, but the whole thing, the whole city, the beautiful people, the people around the city love tennis and really enjoy it.
"It is always nice to come here year after year but unfortunately I doubt it will ever happen again."
The Swiss star, who fell to Safin in a classic five-set semi-final in 2005 on the same court, admitted he may have been lucky to escape with the third set, particularly given his fellow former world No1 continued to improve as the match continued.
"I thought Marat started to play really well towards the end," Federer said.
"It seemed like deja vu."
Federer, who lifted his intensity after an even opening to win the last two games of the first set to love, said the quality of his opponent had inspired a higher level of focus than normal for a third-round match.
"It felt like a little something more," Federer said. "It is always special to play Marat and I think we like to play each other. It does not matter who wins."
Federer said he was upset that he and Safin would not get to play again in Melbourne.
"That is disappointing," he said."I love playing against the guy and he brings something different to the tennis world with his character on and off the court. He is larger than life.
"If it were to be the last one at the Australian Open, we both feel good about playing each other at the Australian Open."
While the Russian, who captured the 2005 Australian title stylishly, threatened one last cameo when pushing the Swiss star to a third-set tiebreaker, it was not to be and his chances were dimmed in controversial fashion.
Safin, who will play out this year, trailed 3-1 when he was foot-faulted on his second serve - not for putting his front foot over the baseline, rather for placing his back foot across the centre line while serving.
It infuriated the 28-year-old, who eye-balled the linesman and questioned him at length.
While Safin fought back to claim the lead in the tiebreak, Federer regrouped and claimed the match 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-5) with a brilliant backhand pass that cleaned the line.
"Unfortunately some people like to take five seconds in the camera. It is such a disappointment," Safin said.
"He said sorry, but it is the most stupid thing I have seen. There shouldn't be this rule, because I am not stepping on the line.
"The tiebreak was very close. For me it was a chance to win a set but then this happens. It was a small chance for me but it just slipped away."
The Muscovite, who conquered Federer in a classic semi-final before defeating Lleyton Hewitt to claim the 2005 title, embraced the Swiss champion at the net before waving good bye to the Australian crowd.
"I don't like this bye bye part. I prefer to leave this way, quietly, nice, with a great match," he said.
"I have been around too many years and I want to change now and do other things. It is enough.
"I lost to one of the greatest ones in the history of tennis tonight. I really hope he wins, because I can then tell my kids I played with him."
The former world No1 and US Open champion said he was disappointed to be leaving Melbourne for the last time.
"I had ups and downs here," said Safin, who played in three finals.
"One disappointment and then one title beating Roger and then Hewitt, but the whole thing, the whole city, the beautiful people, the people around the city love tennis and really enjoy it.
"It is always nice to come here year after year but unfortunately I doubt it will ever happen again."
The Swiss star, who fell to Safin in a classic five-set semi-final in 2005 on the same court, admitted he may have been lucky to escape with the third set, particularly given his fellow former world No1 continued to improve as the match continued.
"I thought Marat started to play really well towards the end," Federer said.
"It seemed like deja vu."
Federer, who lifted his intensity after an even opening to win the last two games of the first set to love, said the quality of his opponent had inspired a higher level of focus than normal for a third-round match.
"It felt like a little something more," Federer said. "It is always special to play Marat and I think we like to play each other. It does not matter who wins."
Federer said he was upset that he and Safin would not get to play again in Melbourne.
"That is disappointing," he said."I love playing against the guy and he brings something different to the tennis world with his character on and off the court. He is larger than life.
"If it were to be the last one at the Australian Open, we both feel good about playing each other at the Australian Open."
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