Marat Safin leaves Russian Davis Cup team

Marat Safin has pulled the plug early on his tennis season, deciding to leave the Davis Cup final against the US to more in-form compatriots, according to his website.

Photo: Marat Safin leaves Russian Davis Cup team

Marat Safin leaves Russian Davis Cup team

"Marat will not play in the Davis Cup Final in the US," said a statement on maratsafin.com Thursday. "Marat decided that there are four better players than him who are in form and can make sure they play to the best of their ability for Russia."

Safin also revealed to the site that his September expedition to climb a mountain in Tibet appeared to have backfired, leaving him tired and without the will to work on his game, dpa reports.

"His mountain adventure, which he thoroughly enjoyed, took him out of his rhythm and also left him with no energy," the website said. "He thought he was ready coming back (last week) in Moscow but found that his body just was not ready to cope with it. He thought he could play at a good level but it didn't happen."

Safin plans to spend three weeks off before returning to practice with his coach Hernan Gumy in Valencia, Spain in preparation for the Australian season early next year, Reuters reports.

The Davis Cup final takes place at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon, from 30 November to 2 December.

Source: agencies