ATP Tour
The photo of Safin that reminds us of his feat against Federer in Australia 2005
The two met three times at Melbourne Park.
January 21, 2026
Getty Images
Marat Safin greets Roger Federer after beating him in the 5th set of the Australia 2005 semifinal.
by this ATEDIDE ATP
Marat Safin and Roger Federer met again and were photographed this week at the place where they played three chapters of their extensive rivalry, including one of the most epic matches in the history of the Australian Open.
The photo that Safin uploaded this Wednesday on his Instagram is somewhat similar to many that recorded the moment in which the two greeted each other online after almost five hours of facing each other in the incredible 2005 semifinal.
In what? The smile of both.
Two decades ago, it didn’t matter that Federer had blown leads of 1-0 and 2-1 in sets, and a match point, or that he had won more points in the match (201 to 194). Just after Safin won 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(6), 9-7 in four hours and 28 minutes, the Swiss greeted him at the net with a smile. See statistics of the duel.
And it was the first time he had lost in five months. The then No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings came into that duel undefeated in 26 matches. And in the fortnight at Melbourne Park they had not lost sets. Until Safin, then world No. 4 and his victim in the 2004 Australian final, arrived and ended his invincibility. At least at that moment.
Safin, world No. 1 for the first time in November 2000, would end up winning that Australian Open after beating Lleyton Hewitt in the final. In fact, that was his 15th and last title on the ATP Tour.
In that event he also beat Federer for the last time, who ended up leading the Lexus ATP HeadToHead 10-2 between them. Where was the last confrontation between the two? Also in Australia, but in the 2009 edition. The Swiss, then No. 2 in the rankings, won in straight sets against the then No. 27. However, none of their duels were as memorable as the one in 2005.
This week they found themselves in very different roles. Safin is one of the coaches of Andrey Rublev, seeded No. 13. While Federer was part of the exhibition matches played in the week prior to the ‘main draw’ of the competition.
