They had been dubbed Marat Safin’s blonde fan membership — or the Safinettes — they usually acquired virtually as a lot consideration because the Russian dangerous boy as he went all the way in which to the 2002 Australian Open closing.
That yr’s version of the Melbourne grand slam wasn’t overly memorable.
Two-time reigning champion Andre Agassi missed the event with a wrist damage and the highest two gamers on the earth — Lleyton Hewitt and Gustavo Kuerten — had been each shocked within the first spherical.
It opened the door for Safin — who misplaced in 4 units to shock packet Thomas Johansson — and the fiery baseliner definitely captured the creativeness of the general public. But it was as a lot together with his off-court entourage as together with his play.
Safin’s “harem”, as they had been referred to as in a newspaper article on the time, included no fewer than eight blondes, which labored out to at least one for each spherical of the event, plus a spare simply in case.
“Marat never has difficulty finding female supporters. His little black book would be pretty impressive,” a tour insider advised the Herald Sun.
The trio who acquired the nod for the ultimate had been two Moscow fashions — Anna Gorski, 22, who was learning advertising at Monash University, and Katya Bestojeva, 21. They had been joined by Newcastle monetary analyst, Di Vekosa.
Ms Vekosa was launched to Marat and different gamers on the circuit through — you guessed it — Mark Philippoussis.
“I’ve got to know Marat over the past few years, and he’s a really nice guy,” mentioned Ms Vekosa. “I’ve been watching from the players’ box all tournament. It’s great to be able to support him like this.”
The 22-year-old Safin had a popularity as a playboy, however Ms Vekosa was fast to reject speak of romance. “Offcourt, Marat’s a great guy and really down to earth, but there’s nothing going on there,” she mentioned.
Ms Bestojeva met her countryman at a Moscow event final yr.
An extended-term good friend, however nonetheless no spark, it appears. “She’s not his girlfriend, just a friend,” mentioned Ms Gorski.
The girls turned a spotlight of the Channel 7 broadcast throughout Safin’s matches and his on-court interviews.
“I have to say thank you to all my family sitting over there,” he mentioned to centre-court laughter as he gestured to the unmissable misses.
But not everybody was a fan of their presence.
Former Alex Metreveli, who was in Melbourne commentating for Russian tv, pointed to these within the field for Safin’s downfall after main by a set within the closing.
He mentioned the issue with Safin’s sport was that he doesn’t know who to have round him.
“They are friends for a week while he is doing well,’’ Metreveli said.
A photo of the player box went viral on Twitter just a few days out from this year’s tournament and Aussie star Thanasi Kokkinakis couldn’t help replying with a “goat” emoji.
— with Herald Sun
