( CNN ) -- Former world number one Marat Safin has swapped tennis for politics after being elected to the Russian Federal Parliament . The two-time grand slam winner will take his seat in the 450-strong Duma as a representative of the Nyzhny Novgorod region for prime minister Vladimir Putin 's United Russia party . Safin retired from tennis in 2009 after a 10-year professional career and has since competed on the ATP Champions Tour -- which pits former star players against each other in a series of tournaments . `` My life has been changing for the last two years , '' the 31-year-old told the Champions Tour 's official website prior to his election . `` All of a sudden I found myself in a situation where I had to make really serious decisions . Putin accuses U.S. over Russia electoral protests . `` It started with one small thing and it grew up to something big . I could go and make commercials left and right and pretend like I am a celebrity , but that is not me . `` I never did this , I never liked it . I had a few months of thinking 'should I do this or should I not ' but now I am pretty sure of what I 'm doing and I want to do it . '' The 15-time winner on the ATP Tour explained how his experiences on court could help him in office . `` I will be working for the next five years day after day , sitting in an office , wearing a suit , '' he said . `` I will have good days , bad days and I will have to fight once again like I 've been fighting on the court . It will be complicated . '' Russian tennis star Chakvetadze courts electoral success . Safin clinched his first grand slam title at the U.S. Open in 2000 , defeating the legendary Pete Sampras in straight sets in the final , before reaching the top of the world rankings in November of that year . It was five years until he claimed a second grand slam triumph , beating home favorite Lleyton Hewitt to claim the 2005 Australian Open . Meanwhile in other tennis news Thursday , Judy Murray has been confirmed as captain of Britain 's FedCup team . Murray , the mother of world number four Andy Murray , said the role was an `` exciting challenge . '' She will take charge for the first time in the Euro/Africa Zone Group competition from February 1-4 next year in Eilat , Israel .
Former world number one Marat Safin has been elected to Russian parliament . Safin won two grand slam titles during a 10-year professional career . The 31-year-old is a representative of former president Vladimir Putin 's party . Judy Murray appointed Britain 's FedCup captain .