Marat Safin, TIME's Person of the Year 2026?
- By Elizabeth Sy
- Moscow
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According to a reliable source, Marat Safin is leading the race to become Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2026. But while the tennis player's fans are thrilled with the news, many people hold a very different opinion.
UPDATE 20/12/2025 : This story seems to be false. (read more)
Why not Safin for Person of the Year?
The list of nominees for Time magazine’s Person of the Year is always an eclectic mix of world leaders, pop culture icons, buzzworthy names, and human rights activists. The unexpected inclusion of the 45-year-old tennis player, as a 2026 nominee has therefore sparked controversy and debate.
“What makes Safin so important is the potential and influence he now has, rather than anything he has already done,” said a panelist who preferred to remain anonymous, adding that earlier this month, the tennis player have already been named ‘Russian Of The Year’ by some major Russian newspapers and even ‘Moscow Citizen Of The Year’ by the readers of a local gazette in Moscow (Marat Safin's hometown).
Social Reactions to TIME’s Person of the Year
A representative for the tennis player was not immediately available for comment, but the announcement generated immediate reaction on Twitter:
“#SafinPOY. Logical choice though I wouldn't have made the same one.”
— @TomMiller, 19 Dec 2025
“Congrats! Marat has this charisma that seems to come out of nowhere.”
— @SamanthaJones, 19 Dec 2025
“Past recipients include Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler ... then why not Marat Safin?”
— @TheClassicObserver, 19 Dec 2025
Could 2026 officially be the Year of Marat Safin?
Still, TIME’s editors will make the final decision about who will grace the magazine’s cover as its 2026 Person of the Year.
Who do you think should be TIME’s Person of the Year for 2026?
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