Roman Safiullin remembers his early days taking part in tennis at a facility with two courts simply subsequent to an ice hockey area. His father, Rishat, was the pinnacle coach.
“I used to be there taking the racquets practising within the small group. Hitting with the wall,” Safiullin informed ATPTour.com. “[There were] loads of instances like this.”
Rising up, Safiullin performed some soccer and swam, however spent 80 per cent of his time taking part in tennis.
“I used to be completely satisfied to play tennis and particularly once I grew up. Then faculty began, so that you had to decide on one factor,” Safiullin mentioned. “For those who go you then go full faculty otherwise you go tennis. So I selected tennis and I’m nonetheless right here.”
Safiullin started taking tennis critically from the age of 12, when follow grew to become totally different. “Since then, I began a form of skilled profession already,” he mentioned.
The 25-year-old is No. 97 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, 9 spots off his profession excessive. He hopes to push larger, beginning along with his first-round Australian Open match in opposition to fortunate loser Denis Kudla, who was positioned within the draw when Nick Kyrgios withdrew attributable to harm.
What does Safiullin get pleasure from doing off the courtroom?
“When I’ve free time simply to go someplace with my spouse. She’s selecting some eating places or some locations the place to go to, like now in Melbourne,” Safiullin mentioned. “[During the offseason] we have been in Germany after which we flew to Bali for vacation. After which principally from Bali we went again to Europe and began [the] preseason.”
It was the second time they’ve visited Bali, Indonesia.
“It is a good place. That is why we really got here again and it is vitally good,” Safiullin mentioned. “We have been fortunate with the climate. It was not as scorching as we anticipated and generally raining.”
Loads of eyes shall be on Safiullin as he tries to make his mark on the season’s first main. The three-time ATP Challenger Tour titlist desires followers to know he’s giving it his all.
“I simply would say that I am attempting to be a prime skilled participant,” Safiullin mentioned. “It is not leading to my rating now in the meanwhile, however I am attempting and I am doing my greatest to win.”