Former world number one to give up Russian parliament seat

pulse

May 25, 2017 5:55 PM

Safin said that as a member of the sport's Hall of Fame, he would not have enough time to carry out his political duties.

Russia's Marat Safin of the Japan Warriors hits a return against Spain's Carlos Moya of the Singapore Slammers during their men's singles match at the International Premier Tennis League in Manila on December 6, 2015

Former world number one and two-time Grand Slam winner Marat Safin announced Thursday that he was stepping down as a lawmaker in the Russian parliament after six years.

Safin, who retired from tennis in 2009 after winning the 2000 US Open and 2005 Australian Open titles, said that as a member of the sport's Hall of Fame, he would not have enough time to carry out his political duties.

"Yes, I sent a request to return my mandate (as an MP)," 37-year-old Safin told news agency TASS, confirming a story which had appeared on the Fontanka new site.

Safin represented ruling United Russia in the parliament after first being elected in 2011.

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