OTGT had the chance to spend a few minutes with Marat prior to his enshrinement into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
See Marat playfully wax poetic about his career and his desire to get back into tennis as well as relive some "terrible" memories. Watch the video above or read the transcript below.
Q: Marat, you’ve been out of tennis life for a while. So, what does it feel like coming here and what does it mean to you?
A: Basically, I’m back to the roots, back to basics. Completely different lifestyle, of course, now, but it’s nice to come back to tennis and to understand… really, to understand the history. It’s the first time I’m really in touch with it. I mean, the Museum, the Newport tennis stop is amazing. It’s where the history starts and belongs. So, first time I really can see it and can feel it. What it means for tennis.
To be part of such thing, it’s a huge honor to be able to be part of it. For me, especially, [as] the first Russian. Especially now, the situation in the world, it’s even funnier.
But I really appreciate it, people… I don’t know… they really like my tennis, the way I played, I’m really thankful for that. Really thankful.
Q: Is it especially important because your family has been in tennis all your life? I know your sister and your mom are here. Is it a more meaningful experience?
A: Well for us, our family, it’s a little deeper than for others, probably, because my mother was a tennis player. She tried, in Communist times, [played] a couple times French Open juniors, Wimbledon juniors, and she always wanted to… she couldn’t make it as a pro, so that’s why she wanted to achieve this. She wanted to achieve what she wanted to achieve through us. What she did, only one family, boy and girl, No. 1 in the world. So, two sisters, Williams sisters, and us.
So, I think it’s a little bit deeper because it’s also, thanks to my mother, my sister, my father, that we’ve been a tennis family and that, really, if I did not play tennis, I don’t know where I would end up.
So, yeah, basically, thanks also for my roots, that she [his mother Rausa – ed.] kept me out of trouble and she put me into tennis. I didn’t want to play tennis at all, I wanted to play soccer all my life. But my mother, she knows better, the best, of what the son needs.
Q: Going back to your career, what’s your most memorable memory?
A: Santoro matches. Disaster. But always will remember that.
Q: What about the proudest moment you had.
A: Still to come! Still to come.
Q: What are three words you’d use to describe yourself?
A: Young, stupid, fearless. [Laughs]
Q: This is now, or during your career?
A: Now I’m older. I don’t know if wiser or not. But, improving myself.
Q: If you could switch lives with one person for one day, who would it be, and why?
A: My life, to give to somebody? No way! He will makes such damage for me in one day, he will destroy my life. No, I keep my life to myself.
Q: So, you’ve achieved the highest honor in tennis. What is the next goal for you?
A: The sky is the limit is what I’m saying. I don’t know, but I would like definitely to [be] sticking to tennis. I think I can be useful in a certain way tennis-wise, in ATP, ITF, or something.
Q: And give up your political career?
A: No, afterwards! I finish my political career, so I have enough experience – what to do, how it works, and then I try to do something in tennis because it’s… it’s where I belong. It’s where the roots are. I need to improve it, to make the game better. And if I’m allowed to be a family [sic] part of the big story, I’ll be very pleased with that.
Q: We also want to ask you about your Olympic experience. Just your memories from 2004.
A: Terrible memories. Great places, good experiences, terrible results. I still do regret that I didn’t really pay attention the right way for the Olympic Games.
I told you, young and stupid. And fearless.
Interview by Mariya Konovalova