Tennis Legend Marat Safin Makes Coaching Comeback with Rising Star Andrey Rublev

A New Chapter for a Tennis Icon

Former tennis champion Marat Safin has officially stepped into a new role in 2025, making his coaching debut at the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters with ATP player Andrey Rublev.

Safin, a former world No. 1 who held the top ranking for nine weeks during his career, brings impressive credentials to his coaching role, including two Grand Slam titles (2000 US Open and 2005 Australian Open) among his 15 ATP Tour-level singles titles.

Early Success and Player Development

In a recent press interview in Nimes on April 4, 2025, Rublev expressed optimism about working with Safin, noting that his new coach helps him see himself honestly. Safin, in turn, emphasized that while he can show Rublev the path, the player must walk it himself.

The partnership has already shown promise, with Rublev posting strong results across North America, reaching the semifinals in Los Cabos and consecutive quarterfinals in Toronto and Cincinnati. The collaboration makes natural sense, as both share similar backgrounds, and Safin had previously supported Rublev during challenging times, particularly when the 27-year-old’s mental health was at its lowest last year.

A Legacy of Excellence

Safin’s reputation as a player was built on his explosive game style, combining blistering power with superb shotmaking and a distinctive emotional edge that made every match unpredictable. His career achievements include 15 tour-level titles, with his final victory coming at the 2005 Australian Open.

His legacy in tennis is secure as the first Russian tennis player inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Together with his sister Dinara Safina, they made history as the only brother-sister tandem in tennis to have both achieved No. 1 singles rankings.