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Volatile Russian Marat Safin says he will be back to Melbourne - even after a US$2000 fine for using the "f" word in his explosive exit from the Australian Open.
In his first defeat at Melbourne Park since losing the 2004 final to Roger Federer, Safin succumbed 7-6 2-6 6-4 7-6 to sixth-seeded American Andy Roddick in a drama-charged third-round match on Friday.
Safin at times found himself battling three opponents and was fined for swearing at French umpire Pascal Maria as well as facing sanctioning for a venomous attack on tournament referee Wayne McKewen.
The 2005 champion was incensed at McKewen for forcing play to resume after a 10-minute rain delay between the third and fourth sets, despite the Russian's assertion the courts were still wet and dangerous outside the doubles lines. Safin continued his barrage at the post-match press conference. "They just have been so pathetic on this subject. It was a joke... they are so blind, they don't want to see anything, and I'm just going to say it in front of everybody because it's a nonsense for me.
"Why I have to play? Why I have to put my health in doubt? We're using all the court and if I slip and if I get injured and if something happens... 'no, you have to play', (McEwen said).
"The guy never played tennis in his entire life. He comes with the shoes that aren't even tennis shoes and he's telling me and I'm professional and I know when it's wet and when it's not wet, and he's telling me it's not wet.
"How ridiculous and how the person just can be this way?
"If I am saying something with the 'f' word or something he doesn't like, then I get a fine and I'm getting the warning and then the penalty point.
"Eventually, of course, I've got a warning because he says I said F word. I said, 'yeah, whatever'. Anyway, it was really pathetic what they did."
"It's not like I'm trying to prove something. Just I don't want to play when it's wet. It just takes two minutes to dry. Safin then took aim at Maria for censoring him for swearing, despite the umpire escaping scot-free for making an incorrect over-rule against the Russian.
'Despite leaving Melbourne an angry man, the three-time finalist was encouraged with his performance against Roddick after missing most of last season with a serious knee injury. "I'm trying to be positive, after this match. I've been very close to winning it and it could be the other way around, that's for sure."
