Safin to give up Russian parliament seat

Moscow - 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.