Roland Garros Tennis Lessons:

Yesterday I was watching Roland Garros and Marat Safin playing his fellow citizen Alexandre Sidorenko and here are the things that I liked about Marats game and why I believe he should play for 3 or 4 more years.

- Marat was determined to finish the affair in 3 straight sets! Intelligent decision.

- Fought against his instinct (training from previous years) to get far behind the baseline and slip and slide in a dramatic fashion, but instead focused in getting early control of points using his large frame and power to impose himself on his opponent. Excellent!

- Stayed closer to the baseline then I ever saw him doing on clay. Good stuff!

- By Stepping inside the court he threatened in a consistent manner every single  second serve his opponent offered him. Top class!

- When given the opportunity he immediately took control of the center of the court got well inside took balls early and fired them to the corners with awesome power.  Literally handcuffing his opponent.

- When inside the court, intelligently used the drop shot to keep his opponent guessing. Good tactics.

- Balanced his service with a mix that held the right amount of power and spins without desperately seeking the ace at all costs. This allowed him a high percentage of first serves in which left Alexander very few opportunities to pressure Marat. Contained control, big weapon and well used!

- Came to the net when needed and volleyed decently. In my view with that huge service he should use 'surprise' serve and volleys even on second serves, especially when leading 40-0 or 40-15!

- Did not allow his opponent to run him around in endless rallies. Energy saving, a must on major tournaments, that is if you wish to be a contender for the title!

- Kept his terribly hot head under control.  But I like his hot head because that is what makes him a special individual even though sometimes has cost him matches he could have won.

Now, why do I think Marat would be a great loss to tennis and he should play for another 3 or 4 years more?

- Tennis needs Marat more then ever because he is charismatic and fun to watch!

- At 29 Marat is very young and if he streams down the running on his matches he can beat anyone and still win several important titles even another major!

- If he stays relaxed and focused he is one of a handful I know that can be a threat on any grand slam. Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray and 2 or three outsiders Tsonga, Simon and Gulbis.

In the video below you will be able to see the versatility of Marat:

- For a very tall person how well he moves to a short ball.

- Technically he runs correctly by releasing the racket from the now dominant hand and pumping his arms in a athletics fashion.

- As he gets to the ball from 4 choices (push the ball deep down the line or cross, drop-shot the ball down the line or cross) he chose the best the down the line drop shot which left no angles for his opponent and an easy backhand volley into the open court for himself.

This in first instance looks all easy, but for many even at the pro-level it is an impossibility.  Take for example Wayne Odesnik USA on his match against Gilles Simon (FRA) had he been able to execute these shots, today he would still be in the tournament.

Let's hope Marat keeps it simple, close or inside the baseline, uses his raw power to handcuff his opponents and gets deep into this tournament that I am sure he would love to win!

So enjoy Marat while you can and hope that he stays, he is special!

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