[mr.nemo]

If I am correct, his loss to Del Potro is his last match at ATP level (not that retirement is a definite thing in tennis). How will he be remembered?

[loikrso]

The most beloved waste of talent in history.

[Anneskobsen]

An overrated, unintentionally comical player (his constant run-ins with the Chair were a "riot"), who was extremely fortunate to win 2 Slams. He wasn't that good, just a forehand and a sometimey serve, coupled with the insignificant observation, but significant to others that women found him attractive, drooling and sighing all over him at matches and on message boards.

[TobaccoNUE]

I tend to like the headcase players, and there was a time when I loved Marat. But I grew tired of him for some reason a few years ago. As I said in another thread, I won't miss him at all, but I'm sorry for the many people here who genuinely love him and won't have him tearing at their hearts anymore.

[dicemets]

An overrated, unintentionally comical player (his constant run-ins with the Chair were a "riot"), who was extremely fortunate to win 2 Slams. He wasn't that good, just a forehand and a sometimey serve, coupled with the insignificant observation, but significant to others that women found him attractive, drooling and sighing all over him at matches and on message boards.

Couldn't disagree more (though I agree with the women and the comedy). He had the best and most consistent backhand in tennis for a long time. And, there were times like Federer/Safin in Australia where he was the best ball striker alive and much more than a serve and forehand. So, I'd not say overrated (that would be Jan Michael Gambill) but a serious underachiever.

[Karinochka]

Marat

I'll remember him as one of the few male players I ever truly loved. As one of those guys who could produce some of the most amazing tennis ever, and defeat the undefeatable (Australian Open 2005 Semifinal for example) and someone who could lose to anyone.

Sadly, he did waste a lot of his talent and skills. He could and should have won more slams than he did, been at the top longer than he was. But above all, he was one of the moodiest, charismatic, and entertaining players at least of his generation.

I'll miss him and when he'd randomly drop his pants mid match.

[enurneAcourdy]

I won't miss him mainly because other than a surprise Wimbledon semi, it feels like he left the tour a while back.

But, what a talent! His best was as good as many of the best who have ever played the game.

[yxn2dC07]

I'm not ready to say good bye to Marat. I've been hanging on and hanging....This takes me back to the time when Andre dropped to 141 in the world....I just couldn't give up on him.

I would watch him and watch him and watch him...and wonder where he went once he couldn't make main draws any more and I'd always be on the look out for him....and never ever gave up on him.....I guess I was hoping to see the same comeback in Marat...I just don't want to say good bye to another favorite

And not only will I miss his tennis...but his presence, his good looks, his mouth, his passion and intensity, his antics on the court and off the court, and his arguments....I love everything Marat and I can't wait for his autobiography!

I'm going to miss Marat so much even him losing in the first round of matches he should have won with his eyes closed.

[Pashtet]

Marat was the dawn of a new age in men's tennis that we will likely see more of in the near future with Del Potro: the big man who can whack the s*** out of the ball but can still move quite well. When he was in his prime, I wasn't a huge tennis fan, but it's always fun to watch someone that can beat anyone but lose to anyone as well. I do think that he achieved about what he could have hoped for in his career. There was never a real chance that he'd consistently dominate the game. He should just be happy that he was able to win 2 slams, unlike another player who should be retiring quite soon, David Nalbandian.

[goctorsurger]

I went with the third option. When he was on, he was on. And even though Roger lost, that AO '05 was the best GS match I've watched. But the sad thing is that for the last few years, he's really been not a player to watch out for in terms of his tennis.

[Rqvtwlfk]

Marat - what can I say? A looming presence - always dependable for being undependable. Always bigger than life. -- as an aside, I thought Dinara should have been present today.

[staisacic]

Marat: Thank you for your few glorious wins. ESPECIALLY thanks for that dismantling of Sampras in your US Open final win- which I got to see live. At your best, your game was amazing to watch.

As for the rest of your life: If you do a Levi Johnston, I am there. Otherwise, please feel free to disappear. Your wackiness got REAL tiresome a long time ago.

[attackDoold]

...
As for the rest of your life: If you do a Levi Johnston, I am there. ....

Gosh, that sure would be a strange porn movie.

"Guess who Marat's new ball boy is? Find out when you order 'The Hunky Hillbilly meats Marat' for only 19.95!"

[infelconi]

I think he was an underachiever, but I can understand why people would pick the third option as well. He was a huge headcase. But when his game was on, it was great to see.

That AO semi was one of my favourite matches of his as well. Wish he would have won another slam or two, though.

[mr.nemo]

When we ran a poll on which former #1 would retire next, Marat only got two votes (we did this in June 2008, after Justine had quit). Amelie was the high choice for retirement.
Wonder who of the former number ones will be next (Lindsay retired again because of pregnancy, as we know).

[Automobill]

Not that many choices really - either Amelie or JCF. Unless we still count Moya as an active player.

[Zptmsemk]

I loved Marat.
I saw him live at the 1998 Roland-Garros qualies and I believe many people in the stands that day were sure they had seen The Next Big Thing. Of course Marat went on to beat Gustavo Kuerten and Andre Agassi. He then managed to win his third round match against a more obscure player: something that everybody thought was very promising, too. I remember being slightly worried that all that success so soon might backfire...

Unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to miss Marat much: I gave up on him long ago. Too many disappointments.

-- as an aside, I thought Dinara should have been present today.

Why? Was Marat ever there for Dinara?

[gardenerextraordinaire]

Why? Was Marat ever there for Dinara?

Ouch!

[payporanymn]

Why? Was Marat ever there for Dinara?

My thoughts exactly.

[yxn2dC07]

Why? Was Marat ever there for Dinara?

Just because Marat behaved like a butthead doesn't mean Dinara has to do the same.

Dinara being there....would say a whole lot more (positively speaking) about Dinara than it would about..the importance of Marat.