Sport | Tennis
Safina gets over growing pains
Dinara Safina is in no hurry to rush her career, insisting that one or her prime aims is to stay injury-free.
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:05 February 27, 2008
Duba:i Dinara Safina is in no hurry to rush her career, insisting that one or her prime aims is to stay injury-free.
"With age I have certainly evolved as a player and as a person, and the best gift for me at the finish line of each season is to keep perfectly healthy," Safina said after her easy first-round win against Tunisian Selima Sfar.
"I take things one day at a time and much of the focus is to ensure I am still enjoying what I am doing on and off the court," said the 21-year-old Russian who now resides in Monte Carlo.
"The past few years have been enlightening for me as a person and as a player. I have learned so much about the game and about life. I get up each day and give it 100 per cent and then wait to see where it all ends."
During her initial years, Safina had a tough time living in the shadow of her famous brother Marat Safin.
"I am his sister and I have got used to it now. It really doesn't bother me anymore as we are two different individuals," she said.
Over the years, Safina has carved out a name for herself, clinching 12 career titles, including five singles crowns on the WTA Tour. This achievement, to an extent, has helped her establish an identity of her own.
"I used to get a bit worked up about it. But at the same time I wanted to show the world that I am a different person, a separate individual," Safina stated.
"I still need to go out there and give 100 per cent."
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