I can hardly afford a meal at Wimbledon, Safin says

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MOSCOW, June 27 (Reuters) Marat Safin has won more than 13 million dollars in prize money in his tennis career but said he could hardly afford a meal at this year's Wimbledon.

The big Russian, who has never liked playing on grass, was outraged at the high prices at the All England Club.

''I try not to overstay my welcome here,'' the former world number one told the Sovietsky Sport newspaper, calling Wimbledon his least favourite tournament.

''Players complain about a lot of things in the locker room but when it comes to speaking their mind to the press they always say how nice everything is.

''But how can it be nice if you can't even buy a normal meal with our daily allowances here. A plate of spaghetti cost 25 dollars, where else do you see such outrageous prices,'' he asked.

The outspoken Muscovite also lashed out at what he saw as overzealous security, saying: ''The only thing they do is search your bags and all your pockets about 300 times a day.'' Safin meets Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi in the second round at Wimbledon later today.

REUTERS BJR RN2112