My two favorite players of all time. Impressive how resourceful they used to be, using the different angles of the court, something you don’t see nowadays. Good all times.
Such intensity from Safin, loved it. You can see the talent on display and the relentless ball striking. No wonder its hard to keep that level because its just like a ball machine putting back balls in play with increased pace every time the ball hits Safin's racket. Indeed 2 slams dont do his talent justice as on his day he could literally beat anyone. Most of all, the falir and personality of Marat is unrivaled amongst players of his age.
@FoX Windgrace In defense, that was the match up to 3-0 though: a few amazing points from Marat, but solid play from Marcelo, to go up 3-0 (Safin not fully dialed into the match yet). Rios was probably feeling quite comfortable up to that point (many pro players are more than happy for opponents to play occasional "Monfils" points, if in return they are up 3-0 or more, in a set).
Marat from 20 to 24 years had his crazy mind well focus on Tennis and in that period,besides having been n.1 lot of mounths, was one of the better player of that decade. Sampras knows it well, and Roger too, he was way out his biggest rival until Nadal s appear...Marat change his mind and his intensity and conviction about Tennis. His talent was tremendous genuine but he prefer enjoying life at all..it was not for him making too.much sacrifices.
Well Rios was already on downhill and Safin on a big rise. The best part of this video is a legendary comentry duo of David Mercer & Frew McMillan. I grew up listening them on Eurosport.
@@petesampras3188 As a Chilean, I advise you to disregard times when Chileans rev way this much up about the country. It’s just a way to counteract and compensate for a country which is falling into pieces due to its incredibly and unprecedentedly lazy, mediocre elite.
@@lalo4642 Wrong. Even conceding the fact that the current generation are just iconoclastic in its forms, the sole responsibility of this process lies entirely upon the lazy elite of the country which never accounted for changes that were extremely necessary to promote as to maintain political stability in the long run.
The Rally , ball speed and power they generated on this match is unbelievable in this generation / Era way too advanced for circa Y2K and this is Clay court , playing like hard court 😮
Rios was a really talent guy, a unique player I’d say, but his problem always was in his head and attitude. He failed that smash and fell apart mentally. sometimes you could see him without the will to continue playing and he just stopped competing at the level he could perform
Rios is a legend. Safin said in an interview how he idolised him. Just like many players throughout all generations did. Rios has been one of the most talented players in history, not so successful, even though he reached the top as being N1 for a couple months, won 5 M1000, reached GS final and won 18 titles. His head was too crazy, and got some bad injuries, but his raw talent was unbelievable. No one did or have done the angles he produced both forehand and backhand. He even did a couple 360* turn strokes returns and sitting on court smashes. Everyone in the tennis world knows him and revere his gifted technical strokes and incredible touch. Other legends like Borg, McEnroe, Edberg, Sampras, Agassi, Kuerten, Federer, Djokovic and all the Spanish speakers country players have admired his talent.
@@arvindvanati106 For sure Safin had a hell of an Backhand, he could go against Rios leftie topspin no problem. But I saw also Nadal versus Fognini and definitely Hamburg looks faster than RG.
@bbogdanmircea Both Safin & Rios took the ball early, and liked to hit big (Safin with considerably more overall power; Rios with more variety in his shots).
They were two unreal talents who could have achieved a lot more, especially Rios. Back in those days you could get to world No 1 without winning a slam. It all changed thanks to the big three.
wish we had more players like this outside the big three, excluding kyrgios. Many are so boring and play grinding points. i wanna watch some interesting tennis.
People think todays tennis players are way better than back in the day. I highly beg to differ. These two would blow away anyone outside the top 10 when they would be at their best. The talent you can see here is amazing
@mtklaric "Fedalovic" would always be a huge mountain to climb: but I'm sure that Safin & Rios would have many great moments at the "Big 3's" expense (assuming that all five players were playing at their peak, at the same time).
El talento de Marat era brutal. El tipo inspiraba un respeto impresionante, dentro y fuera de las canchas. Quizá el mayor talento de la historia del tenis.
@Will Smith Rios once accused the then-president of the Chilean Tennis Federation of being a "mafia boss", which was taken to court, and actually proven to be quite true ... but, in terms of tennis, Marcelo could really mess up your game: for sure!
Interesting thing is that when Safin played Nalby or Rios he didnt bother much about their exceptional talent. He just overpowered them and run them over like a truck. 😁
@Marek Yeah, Nalbandian talked about that too: he mentioned that Safin has "special abilities" that made it difficult for El Rey David to set up his points/game style properly (lots of power off of everything, plus moved very well and had great endurance). It's even more impressive, when we consider that Nalbandian is the only guy who beat "Fedalovic" in a tournament (2007 Madrid Masters).
What a wasted talent Marat!! Would have been one of the goat if only he had willed!! One of the best DOUBLE-HANDED BACKHAND ever!! Agassi Borg Wilander Djokovic can get close for me
@Martin Kristensen Fabrice Santoro was the guy who "demoralized" Marat more than anyone else (7-2): Santoro commented once, that it was all in Safin's head, as Fabrice himself thought that Safin had the game to beat him "easily".
Puede ser, pero de todas formas Marat tuvo el Nro 1 hasta el Masters en Lisboa donde pierde con Agassi en semifinales. Ganando Safin ese partido y siendo finalista, por más que saliera campeón Guga (como pasó), Safin no perdía el 1. El mismo Marat dijo, años después, que llegó a fin de esa temporada mentalmente quemado.
@Alex Meechan Well, when we all reach the age where our heroes are no longer there (usually 20+ years after they retire), that's when we all put on the "rose-colored" glasses, as will happen to all fans of "Fedalovic" in the future (but, 20+ slams each is really hard to deny, for sure).
Ya pu chino deja de hacerte campaña si ya eres pasado ademas nunca hiciste nada extraordinario fuiste numero 1 por 30 segundos cuando agassi ya usaba muletas. LA DURA NO. MAS
Every Safin backhand sounds like a canon blast. Incredible shot.
Marcelo Rios was a genius on the court.
A joke rather
Apparently not so genius
It doesn't get better than this.
Good old times.
You know what's the best thing on this video?
That majestic Yonex racket from Rios. Probably the best racket ever.
My two favorite players of all time. Impressive how resourceful they used to be, using the different angles of the court, something you don’t see nowadays. Good all times.
Back when there was more of a variety of styles and players. And when all the courts weren't super slow.
I don't think they've slowed clay courts down. I think it's more to do with a more topspin focused style these days.
Such intensity from Safin, loved it. You can see the talent on display and the relentless ball striking. No wonder its hard to keep that level because its just like a ball machine putting back balls in play with increased pace every time the ball hits Safin's racket. Indeed 2 slams dont do his talent justice as on his day he could literally beat anyone. Most of all, the falir and personality of Marat is unrivaled amongst players of his age.
Marat's backhand is awesome!
First 40 seconds: amazing Safin points.
Score: 3-0 Rios.
@FoX Windgrace In defense, that was the match up to 3-0 though: a few amazing points from Marat, but solid play from Marcelo, to go up 3-0 (Safin not fully dialed into the match yet). Rios was probably feeling quite comfortable up to that point (many pro players are more than happy for opponents to play occasional "Monfils" points, if in return they are up 3-0 or more, in a set).
Safin still won the match so whatever.
Marat Safin was my hero! He was a bit unlucky with all the injuries. Hugely talented. Should've won way more slams!
So did Rios !
He was too attractive! Way to many distractions that he couldn’t resist- like Verdasco and Cash 🙋♀️🙋🏻♀️🙋🏼♀️🙋🏽♀️
Marat from 20 to 24 years had his crazy mind well focus on Tennis and in that period,besides having been n.1 lot of mounths, was one of the better player of that decade. Sampras knows it well, and Roger too, he was way out his biggest rival until Nadal s appear...Marat change his mind and his intensity and conviction about Tennis. His talent was tremendous genuine but he prefer enjoying life at all..it was not for him making too.much sacrifices.
@ybk927 lol rios was a joke
Rios couldn't forget that point in the tiebreak of the first,but damn,Safin had a killer cross court backhand.
Well Rios was already on downhill and Safin on a big rise. The best part of this video is a legendary comentry duo of David Mercer & Frew McMillan. I grew up listening them on Eurosport.
2 amazing legends
The best tennis player that I saw was Marcelo Ríos, Genious .The best talented player in the history.
We are the best country of Chile hermano
no, not really, but he was good tho
@@petesampras3188 As a Chilean, I advise you to disregard times when Chileans rev way this much up about the country. It’s just a way to counteract and compensate for a country which is falling into pieces due to its incredibly and unprecedentedly lazy, mediocre elite.
@@lalo4642 Wrong. Even conceding the fact that the current generation are just iconoclastic in its forms, the sole responsibility of this process lies entirely upon the lazy elite of the country which never accounted for changes that were extremely necessary to promote as to maintain political stability in the long run.
The Rally , ball speed and power they generated on this match is unbelievable in this generation / Era way too advanced for circa Y2K and this is Clay court , playing like hard court 😮
This clay court is 50% faster than any hardcourt of today's tennis.
With the quality of Racquets and balls increasing,the courts were needed to slow down.
I don't think they've slowed clay courts down though. I think it's more to do with a more topspin focused style these days.
@@nishawadhwa78i90. The Prestige 600 and Yonex RD being used here, are every bit as powerful as the rackets being used today. If not more so.
@@Ihasfinger911 bingo....
@@nishawadhwa78i90 How did you reach that conclusion ?
Wow! ..Marat Safin surprised me in an interview saying how he idolized Rio's but it's also amazing how good Marat speaks spanish 😳🥴🤯😁
he spend a lot of time practicing in Spain
Rios was a really talent guy, a unique player I’d say, but his problem always was in his head and attitude. He failed that smash and fell apart mentally. sometimes you could see him without the will to continue playing and he just stopped competing at the level he could perform
Too true, sad to watch him play this way- (on some level, he beat himself).
This clay court looks faster than the USO the last 10 years.
Agreed
Trying to learn from the legends thanks tennistv for the video!!!
Omg how good is Safin's backhand?!
And he jumps in the air too- (not what you'd expect of someone that tall).
One of the best two-handers ever
It was like an improved version of del potro's backhand
@@POK2008 I believe it is the best best hand in the tennis history.
Talking about 2handed BH I havent seen a better one yet.
two of my favorite players ever
Two legends. My two favorite players of all time. 🫁🫁
Que tiempos aquellos cuando teniamos al "chino " a Gonzalez y a Massu !!!
I could watch Safin walloping those backhands all day long
I enjoy Safin's Double fistedBackhand (Both crosscourt and down the line very much).
Always amazed me how well Safin managed to play on clay, given his height and size, and how straight his shots were. Great talent.
Marcelo Rios a legend.
Rios is a legend. Safin said in an interview how he idolised him. Just like many players throughout all generations did. Rios has been one of the most talented players in history, not so successful, even though he reached the top as being N1 for a couple months, won 5 M1000, reached GS final and won 18 titles. His head was too crazy, and got some bad injuries, but his raw talent was unbelievable. No one did or have done the angles he produced both forehand and backhand. He even did a couple 360* turn strokes returns and sitting on court smashes.
Everyone in the tennis world knows him and revere his gifted technical strokes and incredible touch. Other legends like Borg, McEnroe, Edberg, Sampras, Agassi, Kuerten, Federer, Djokovic and all the Spanish speakers country players have admired his talent.
Dunno if it's an illusion, but this clay looks amazingly fast
No it’s the shots
They are all flat
@@arvindvanati106 For sure Safin had a hell of an Backhand, he could go against Rios leftie topspin no problem. But I saw also Nadal versus Fognini and definitely Hamburg looks faster than RG.
They played with different balls too, nowadays everything is slower, why, i have freaking idea, but is boring and monotonous.
@bbogdanmircea Both Safin & Rios took the ball early, and liked to hit big (Safin with considerably more overall power; Rios with more variety in his shots).
@@tungt88 And they had similar styles of play.
Rios was talented but unlucky due to injury.
Rios was something special, my old man is from Chile, said that rios led the way for South American tennis 🫡🫡.
Hard to believe with the talent Rios had that he only played in one GS final. Still that's one more than Kyrgios will play in 🙄
Cap
😂😂
Little wonder, since Rios was way more talented than Nick.
Marat Safin quizá el jugador mas talentoso de todos los tiempos.
Rios: tenis
Safin: ping pong
wow...what a pleasant sound of hitting the ball. watching the natural ease of brutal hitting from safin.... i feel nadal stands behind safin.
Yeah very true.
yeah today the sound of the technology es awful, very soft, like a digitalized sound.
Agassi, Kafelnikov, Nalbandian & Safin are the best two Handed backhand
@Soevjann Oemar Yes: very good list there.
They were two unreal talents who could have achieved a lot more, especially Rios. Back in those days you could get to world No 1 without winning a slam. It all changed thanks to the big three.
wish we had more players like this outside the big three, excluding kyrgios. Many are so boring and play grinding points. i wanna watch some interesting tennis.
Truly unreal
People think todays tennis players are way better than back in the day. I highly beg to differ. These two would blow away anyone outside the top 10 when they would be at their best. The talent you can see here is amazing
11:41 Alexander Volkov was a very talented player and Marat Safin's coach until 2007, he died 19 october 2019, aged 52...RIP Alexander Volkov
Partidazo puro talento y pedazo de palos jajaja
The point Safin plays at 2:57 could be the best point I've seen him play!
Love all-court tennis matches
A lightweight genius vs strong heavyweight that moves fast. Safin did not give up on tough angled shots and hence his success albeit being short.
I miss Safin ...😢
Me too! His game was spectacular
@@mikhailyakovlev7219 ...yes ! Safin was amazing and very handsome too 😁 !!..from 🇦🇷 , 👋 Mikhail !
@RR3-Movistar*Monsters ...Tipico Chileno haciendo comentarios inapropiados .
@RR3-Movistar*Monsters australiano wena. 🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱
Nice video👌Im happy for the video tomorrow
Different game. Ball is obviously way faster, compared to today’s heavy balls. There guys were supernaturally talented
these two would beat all the players of today...
@mtklaric "Fedalovic" would always be a huge mountain to climb: but I'm sure that Safin & Rios would have many great moments at the "Big 3's" expense (assuming that all five players were playing at their peak, at the same time).
RIOS#1 👏👏👏👏☝️👑🇨🇱
Once upon a time✌🏾👌
They were definitely geniuses on the court, but I'd say their combined IQ outside of tennis was 150. Both very dense individuals
So incredible!!
8:45 might be the best two-handed backhand ever to win a set!!
Video sponsored by Safin
Very good
before Nadal's legendary forehand, there was Rios
Safin.
amazing legends
2 guys who should’ve won a lot of slams
Safin el unico europeo con temperamento que jugaba como sudamericano
El talento de Marat era brutal. El tipo inspiraba un respeto impresionante, dentro y fuera de las canchas. Quizá el mayor talento de la historia del tenis.
Perdió ríos ese partido ,pero prefiero si hoy en día ver un jugador haci verlo perder pero ver su juego su magia su fantasía ,no hay como el
Wait....clay court? ....god speed level
I guess that the ball is the reason
So, next video is Safin Vs Kuerten final right?
Rios looks like a mafia boss lol
He's kinda' scary to watch.
@Will Smith Rios once accused the then-president of the Chilean Tennis Federation of being a "mafia boss", which was taken to court, and actually proven to be quite true ... but, in terms of tennis, Marcelo could really mess up your game: for sure!
those rackets were like guns
Interesting thing is that when Safin played Nalby or Rios he didnt bother much about their exceptional talent. He just overpowered them and run them over like a truck. 😁
It's scary how he did that.
@Marek Yeah, Nalbandian talked about that too: he mentioned that Safin has "special abilities" that made it difficult for El Rey David to set up his points/game style properly (lots of power off of everything, plus moved very well and had great endurance).
It's even more impressive, when we consider that Nalbandian is the only guy who beat "Fedalovic" in a tournament (2007 Madrid Masters).
Because he was as talented as them, even maybe more. Marat Safin is quite possible the greatest talent in the history of tennis.
What a wasted talent Marat!! Would have been one of the goat if only he had willed!! One of the best DOUBLE-HANDED BACKHAND ever!! Agassi Borg Wilander Djokovic can get close for me
Both have incredible two handed bakhands ! But Safin hace a rifle
Safrin's backhand! Fuckin 'ell!
It's funny when safin was inspired he could beat everyone when he wasnt inspired he could lose to everyone
@Martin Kristensen Fabrice Santoro was the guy who "demoralized" Marat more than anyone else (7-2): Santoro commented once, that it was all in Safin's head, as Fabrice himself thought that Safin had the game to beat him "easily".
Y creer que de haber ganado el torneo, Safin hubiese terminado la temporado como N°1 del año 200 y no Kuerten.
Puede ser, pero de todas formas Marat tuvo el Nro 1 hasta el Masters en Lisboa donde pierde con Agassi en semifinales. Ganando Safin ese partido y siendo finalista, por más que saliera campeón Guga (como pasó), Safin no perdía el 1. El mismo Marat dijo, años después, que llegó a fin de esa temporada mentalmente quemado.
Cada vez que repaso estos vídeos el chino ríos juega mejor
Safin was a fucking genius.
Con quel Safin era difficile vincere...
Creo q Safin siempre le hizo buenos partidos al chino, le costaba mucho ganarle cuando lo hizo
va ganando 3 a o Ríos y ponen solo los puntos de safín
Ahi tienen para los que dicen que jugaban mas lento que hoy
MArcelo rios. Estatura 1,75 cms😮
Marcelo Ríos masacrado
They haven’t slowed clay courts down, stop being nostalgia merchants
@Alex Meechan Well, when we all reach the age where our heroes are no longer there (usually 20+ years after they retire), that's when we all put on the "rose-colored" glasses, as will happen to all fans of "Fedalovic" in the future (but, 20+ slams each is really hard to deny, for sure).
1 minuto de video y solo jugadas de Safin?....mmm....
Made in Anti-Chino
if they had stayed healthy and more focus on tennis , these 2 monstres xould have played with the big 3 easyyyyyy
They were as good. Safin is quite possible the greatest talent in the history of tennis.
Safin le pagaba con un mazo la cagó
This two at their peaks would had smoked peak dopedal
On of them could not beat chang , the other one could not beat santoro 😁
old tenis was slower? XD
Rios must be the biggest waste of talent in tennis history, with Safin not too far behind.
you need to upload full matches what the fuck is wrong with you guys request djo vs thiem miami
lo llevaron de la mano a la escuela a rios... y tantos que lo idolatran si es muy malo
JAJAJJA malo, aprende de tenis primero, su rival supo como neutralizar nada más
Tan malo que Moya lo considera el tenista más talentoso de la historia.
el mismo safin en entrevistas ha dicho que rios es un infrahumano un genio y su idolo...palabras de safin viejo...vos jugas al trompo o que???
not first but early
first
Chino Ríos valía callampa, nunca le pudo ganar a Safin y a varios más
Mira quién lo dice
Ya pu chino deja de hacerte campaña si ya eres pasado ademas nunca hiciste nada extraordinario fuiste numero 1 por 30 segundos cuando agassi ya usaba muletas.
LA DURA NO. MAS
Ella la extraordinaria ,un Flaite más despotricando por la net
pero fue 1 aunque te harda el horto.... rios un genio del tenis...