Marat Safin does not watch tennis and he would not study a video of himself. He finds the whole thing rather tiresome, but the last person bar the present top three to win a grand-slam tournament is certain of his ability to have a final, beguiling tilt at a major championship. Why not here?

A chat with Safin on the eve of the French Open is illuminating and discouraging, as is the manner in which the conversation embraces his twin emotions - freedom and boredom. That you can never be sure which Safin you will meet is what makes the 28-year-old an iconoclast, although suggest that to him and he chuckles dismissively. “You journalists are funny, always talking such bulls***.”

It is eight years since Safin became world No1, the same year he destroyed Pete Sampras in the US Open final, and was there a more supremely unfettered fortnight than the Australian Open in 2005, which concluded with his dismantling of Lleyton Hewitt's chances of winning his home championship, from which he has never recovered? When Safin ambles on court, a thrill descends, for the outcome can be glorious or grotesque.

“I have an interesting, comfortable life,” he said. “I have everything I need. I play because I still think I can beat these guys and I would like to make it to the top ten again [he is No72], but it is not easy.

“My tennis carries a lot of risk, I play fast and if I'm not 100 per cent, it is tough. I have to be one second out and I have no rhythm. That's why it sometimes goes in and sometimes it doesn't. That's why I am dangerous. I believe I have a grand slam in me, maybe this year, maybe Roland Garros. So much depends on the draw, if I don't get Federer, Nadal or Djokovic early, things can work for me.”

Ask Safin about the state of men's tennis and he shrugs. Who excites him? “Nobody.” What about Nikolay Davydenko, his fellow Russian, who remains at the centre of inquiries over a match that raised suspicious betting patterns? “It's his life, his brain, I don't want to be in his shoes. I don't owe anything to anybody. Nobody bends me, no one can influence me. I have freedom and not everyone has that.”

What about those who govern the sport, the ATP? “There is this council, that council and basically all the big decisions have nothing to do with the players. It's the same bull****. Someone represents the players then gets $5,000 [£2,500] more and moves over to the tournament side. I don't care, whatever happens, happens.”

And what about Andy Murray? “People get p***ed with me in the locker-room when I say what I think. He's won a couple of tournaments and that's cool, but let's see what happens at a grand slam when everyone is pumped and ready to win it.

“I see him around. We don't talk much. He is very talented but it is in places like these that you show your real skills, this is where the level of your ranking is determined and the rest of the world sees if you have it in you to be the No1 in the world or not.”

Safin had it in him once and if he could find that perfect freedom on the court, there are few players in the world who could hold a candle to him. Even Roger Federer. Once more, Marat, light the flame once more.