Safin Elected To International Tennis Hall Of Fame

Former World No. 1 Marat Safin has been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The Class of 2016 induction ceremony will take place on 16 July, during the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships.

Safin, the first Russian player to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, said, “I’m very happy to be inducted to the Hall of Fame. I want to say thank you to everyone who helped me and supported me throughout my tennis career. To be part of a Hall of Fame is every athlete’s dream. I am really honored to be inducted and proud to represent Russian tennis alongside the greatest champions of tennis history.”

Safin won 15-tour-level titles, including the 2000 US Open (d. Sampras), the 2005 Australian Open (d. Hewitt) and five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophies. He helped Russia clinch the Davis Cup in 2002 and 2006. Since retiring in late 2009, Safin has served on the Russian Olympic Committee and has worked with the Russian Tennis Federation. In 2011, he was elected to serve in the Russian Federal Parliament.

Former WTA No. 1 Justine Henin, a winner of seven major titles, Yvon Petra and Margaret ‘Peggy’ Scriven will also be inducted.

“It is a pleasure to announce the induction of Justine Henin and Marat Safin into the International Tennis Hall of Fame,” said Stan Smith, who serves as the International Tennis Hall of Fame President and Chairman of the Enshrinee Nominating Committee. “Justine and Marat committed themselves to the sport and worked relentlessly at being champions of the highest calibre.

“As a result, they achieved extraordinary careers with world No. 1 rankings and Grand Slam tournament victories. They led their nations to victories in Fed Cup and Davis Cup. They are rightfully a source of national pride in Belgium and Russia, and we are looking forward to welcoming them as the very first Hall of Fame inductees from those nations.”