As the pictures show, the fiery Russian, twice a grand slam winner, stunned fans when he turned up late at the mixed team Hopman Cup sporting two black eyes.
But Safin recovered to beat Italian Simone Bolelli 7-6, 6-4 in his opening match.
"I won the fight, I'm good, I'm ok," the former world No 1 said.
"I got in trouble in Moscow but it's ok, I can survive."
"It's just a small problem. I wasn't in the right place at the right time," he added, without elaborating.
Safin was enjoying his New Year’s Eve celebrations in Moscow last week while younger sister Dinara Safina clearly took a step away from her brother's shadow by arriving in Perth early to prepare for the pair's doubles matches.
A bruised and battered Safin saw a doctor on arrival in Perth and asked organisers to reschedule his match.
"I wasn't sure why he was arriving so late, why he was requesting to play a day later, but now I know why," tournament director Paul McNamee said.
Safin and his younger sister also teamed up to beat Italian pair Bolelli and Flavia Pennetta 2-1 in the Group B tie.
Safin had contemplated retirement after a disappointing season, but decided to prolong his career for at least another year.
Marat Safin and Dinara Safina
Marat Safin and Dinara Safina
Marat Safin and Dinara Safina
Marat Safin and Dinara Safina
Marat Safin and Dinara Safina
Marat Safin and Dinara Safina
Marat Safin and Dinara Safina
But Safin recovered to beat Italian Simone Bolelli 7-6, 6-4 in his opening match.
"I won the fight, I'm good, I'm ok," the former world No 1 said.
"I got in trouble in Moscow but it's ok, I can survive."
"It's just a small problem. I wasn't in the right place at the right time," he added, without elaborating.
Safin was enjoying his New Year’s Eve celebrations in Moscow last week while younger sister Dinara Safina clearly took a step away from her brother's shadow by arriving in Perth early to prepare for the pair's doubles matches.
A bruised and battered Safin saw a doctor on arrival in Perth and asked organisers to reschedule his match.
"I wasn't sure why he was arriving so late, why he was requesting to play a day later, but now I know why," tournament director Paul McNamee said.
Safin and his younger sister also teamed up to beat Italian pair Bolelli and Flavia Pennetta 2-1 in the Group B tie.
Safin had contemplated retirement after a disappointing season, but decided to prolong his career for at least another year.
Marat Safin and Dinara Safina
Marat Safin and Dinara Safina
Marat Safin and Dinara Safina
Marat Safin and Dinara Safina
Marat Safin and Dinara Safina
Marat Safin and Dinara Safina
Marat Safin and Dinara Safina
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