Goran Ivanišević

The title of this article contains the following characters: š and ć. Where they are unavailable or not desired, the name may be represented as Goran Ivanisevic.
Goran Ivanišević
Goran Ivanišević preparing to serve the ball at Wimbledon, 2004
Country Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia[1]
Residence Monte Carlo, Monaco
Date of birth September 13, 1971 (1971-09-13) (age 38)
Place of birth Split, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight 81 kg (180 lb/12.8 st)
Turned pro 1988
Retired 2004
Plays Left-handed; two-handed backhand
Career prize money $19,876,579
  • 9th All-time leader in earnings
Singles
Career record: 599–333
Career titles: 22
Highest ranking: 2 (4 July 1994)
Grand Slam results
Australian Open QF (1989, 1994, 1997)
French Open QF (1990, 1992, 1994)
Wimbledon W (2001)
US Open SF (1996)
Doubles
Career record: 263–225
Career titles: 9
Highest ranking: 20 (6 January 1992)
Mixed Doubles
Career record: {{{mixedrecord}}}
Career titles: {{{mixedtitles}}}
Highest ranking: {{{highestmixedranking}}}

Goran Šimun Ivanišević ( IPA[ɡǒran iʋanǐːʃɛʋiʨ]; born in Split, Croatia, Yugoslavia on 13 September 1971) is a former professional tennis player from Croatia. He is best remembered for being the only person to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon as a wildcard. He achieved this in 2001, having previously been runner-up at the championships in 1992, 1994 and 1998. Ivanišević is famous for his strong serve, which is one of the greatest to date. His career-high singles ranking was World No. 2 (behind Pete Sampras) in 1994.

Contents

Career

Ivanišević turned professional in 1988 and later that year, with Rüdiger Haas, won his first career doubles title in Frankfurt.

Ivanišević made his first significant impact on the tour in 1990, knocking Boris Becker out of the first round of the French Open men's singles; he went on to reach the quarterfinals. Becker reportedly remarked about Ivanišević that "even God could not have played any better". He was also, with Petr Korda, the runner-up in the French Open men's doubles. At that year's Wimbledon, Ivanišević reached the semifinals, where he lost to Becker in four sets. Ivanišević also won his tour first singles title in 1990 at Stuttgart and helped Yugoslavia win the World Team Cup.

Ivanišević quickly became known on the tour for his strong, attacking style of play and for an extremely powerful serve. For several years, he had more aces than anyone else on the tour. Capable of beating anyone in the world when at his very best, he was also known for occasional on-court temper tantrums—usually directed towards himself—and the volatility of the standard of his play.

Ivanišević lost in the second round at Wimbledon in 1991.

In 1992, Ivanišević reached the Wimbledon singles final, where he faced Andre Agassi. Both players were attempting to win their first Grand Slam title. Agassi eventually won 6–7, 6–4, 6–4, 1–6, 6–4. In the 5th set, Goran had a break point on Agassi's serve at 3 all and did not manage to convert it. In the final game of the match, he served 2 double faults to start the game, even though he had 5 for the entire match before that. His ace count for the tournament (200+) at the time was the highest in the history of ATP. He served 39 aces that day, while Agassi had 37 for the entire tournament. It was a tough loss, but as he was only 20 years old, a bright future was predicted. Later that summer at the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Ivanišević won bronze medals in both singles and doubles representing the newly-independent nation of Croatia. He also won four singles titles that year.

Olympic medal record
Competitor for Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia
Tennis
Bronze 1992 Barcelona Singles
Bronze 1992 Barcelona Men's Doubles

Ivanišević reached the Wimbledon final for the second time in 1994, where he was defeated by defending-champion Pete Sampras 7–6, 7–6, 6–0. Ivanišević reached his career-high singles ranking of World No. 2 in July that year.

In 1995, Ivanišević won the Grand Slam Cup, beating Todd Martin in the final 7–6, 6–3, 6–4. At Wimbledon, Ivanišević lost in the semifinals to Sampras 7–6, 4–6, 6–3, 4–6, 6–3.

In 1996 he won a career-best five singles titles. He reached the Grand Slam Cup final again, but this time lost to Becker in straight sets. He set a tour record by serving 1,477 aces over the course of the season. Ivanišević also teamed with Iva Majoli to win the 1996 Hopman Cup for Croatia. That year Ivanišević also reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open, his first Grand Slam semifinal away from Wimbledon; he fell again to Sampras, in four sets.

In 1998, Ivanišević reached his third Wimbledon final. He faced Sampras once again. This time he pushed Sampras to five sets, before losing 6–7, 7–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–2.

Ivanišević finished runner-up in the French Open men's doubles in 1999 (with Jeff Tarango). However for much of 1999, 2000, and 2001, he struggled with a shoulder injury and his performance and world ranking began to slide steadily.

By the summer of 2001, Ivanišević was ranked the World No. 125. This was not sufficient to earn him an automatic place in the main draw at Wimbledon but, given his past record as a three-time runner-up, he was awarded a wildcard for entry into the singles draw. He reached the final, beating home favorite Tim Henman in a five set, rain-affected semifinal, setting-up a match with the previous year's runner-up and former US Open champion Patrick Rafter. It was Ivanišević's first singles final since 1998. In a match lasting just over three hours, Ivanišević defeated Rafter 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 2–6, 9–7. Two months shy of his 30th birthday, Ivanišević became the lowest-ranked player and the first wildcard entry to win Wimbledon.[2] His Wimbledon success was rated sixteenth at the list of 100 Greatest Sporting Moments by a British television programme.

Later that year he received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality Award.

Goran Ivanišević and Mario Ancic playing doubles during the 2004 Queen's Club Championships

The 2001 Wimbledon title was the last of Ivanišević's career. He temporarily retired later in 2001 due to shoulder surgery. He returned to tennis in 2004 but retired permanently after a third-round loss to Lleyton Hewitt at Wimbledon, held on the Centre Court, the scene of his greatest triumph.

Over the course of his career Ivanišević won 22 top-level singles titles and 9 doubles titles.

In 2005, Ivanišević was a member of the Croatian team for the Davis Cup final against Slovakia in Bratislava, although he did not play. Croatia won the final 3–2.

In June 2006, he performed in the Calderstones Park tournament in Liverpool.

In November 2006, Ivanišević won the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions tournament in Frankfurt, defeating John McEnroe 7–6(12), 7–6(1).

In 2007 Roger Federer, seeking his 5th Wimbledon in a row and due to face Nadal in the final, practised with Goran Ivanišević. He said it helped him against Nadal:

Well, I mean, it's good to have hit at least half an hour with a lefty before the finals because I've played against six right handers. So, of course, it's hard to come into a match and you play a lefty. Especially on the returns, I always feel it. The entire points are played in a different manner. Where usually you go backhand cross‑court, with Rafa I have to go backhand long line. I asked Goran yesterday if he wanted to hit with me. He said, Sure, I'm around. I was very happy he did that.

Football

Ivanišević played football for the Croatian team Hajduk Split in 2001.[3] Goran supports English team West Bromwich Albion. He became a fan after the Midland club's Great Escape from Premiership relegation in 2005 when they became the first club since the creation of the modern Premier League in 1992 to be bottom of the league at Christmas and avoid relegation.[4] He wore an Albion shirt whilst warming up prior to the 2006 BlackRock Masters final.[5]

Goran also participated in an exhibition match of the Croatian national team of 1998 versus the International football stars on 7 October 2002 in Zagreb. It was the last career match of Croatian midfielder and team captain Zvonimir Boban. Ivanišević scored the goal for 1–1 (the game ended 2–1 for the International stars).

Goran Ivanišević interviewed during 2000 Davis Cup match in Dublin.

Quotes

Trivia

Grand Slam singles finals

Win (1)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
2001 Wimbledon Flag of Australia Patrick Rafter 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 2–6, 9–7

Runner-ups (3)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
1992 Wimbledon Flag of the United States Andre Agassi 6–7(8), 6–4, 6–4, 1–6, 6–4
1994 Wimbledon Flag of the United States Pete Sampras 7–6(2), 7–6(5), 6–0
1998 Wimbledon Flag of the United States Pete Sampras 6–7(2), 7–6(9), 6–4, 3–6, 6–2

Grand Slam doubles finals (2)

Runner-ups (2)

Year Championship Partnering Opponents in Final Score in Final
1990 French Open Flag of Czechoslovakia Petr Korda Flag of Spain Sergio Casal
Flag of Spain Emilio Sánchez
7–5, 6–3
1999 French Open (2) Flag of the United States Jeff Tarango Flag of India Mahesh Bhupathi
Flag of India Leander Paes
6–2, 7–5

ATP tour titles (31)

Singles (22)

Legend
Grand Slam (1)
Tennis Masters Cup (0)
Grand Slam Cup (1)
ATP Masters Series (2)
ATP Tour (18)
Titles by Surface
Hard (3)
Grass (2)
Clay (2)
Carpet (15)
No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent in Final Score in Final
1. 16 July 1990 Stuttgart Outdoor, West Germany Clay Flag of Argentina Guillermo Pérez Roldán 6–7, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6
2. 17 June 1991 Manchester, United Kingdom Grass Flag of the United States Pete Sampras 6–4, 6–4
3. 30 December 1991 Adelaide, Australia Hard Flag of Sweden Christian Bergström 1–6, 7–6(5), 6–4
4. 17 February 1992 Stuttgart Indoor, Germany Carpet (i) Flag of Sweden Stefan Edberg 6–7(5), 6–3, 6–4, 6–4
5. 5 October 1992 Sydney Indoor, Australia Hard (i) Flag of Sweden Stefan Edberg 6–4, 6–2, 6–4
6. 26 October 1992 Stockholm, Sweden Carpet (i) Flag of France Guy Forget 7–6(2), 4–6, 7–6(5), 6–2
7. 13 September 1993 Bucharest, Romania Clay Flag of Russia Andrei Cherkasov 6–2, 7–6(5)
8. 18 October 1993 Vienna, Austria Carpet (i) Flag of Austria Thomas Muster 4–6, 6–4, 6–4, 7–6(3)
9. 1 November 1993 Paris Indoor, France Carpet (i) Flag of Ukraine Andrei Medvedev 6–4, 6–2, 7–6(2)
10. 10 October 1994 Kitzbühel, Austria Carpet (i) Flag of France Fabrice Santoro 6–2, 4–6, 4–6, 6–3, 6–2
11. 1 August 1994 Tokyo Indoor, Japan Carpet (i) Flag of the United States Michael Chang 6–4, 6–4
12. 5 December 1995 Grand Slam Cup, Munich Carpet (i) Flag of the United States Todd Martin 7–6, 6–3, 6–4
13. 29 January 1996 Zagreb, Croatia Carpet (i) Flag of France Cedric Pioline 3–6, 6–3, 6–2
14. 12 February 1996 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Hard Flag of Spain Albert Costa 6–4, 6–3
15. 26 February 1996 Milan, Italy Carpet (i) Flag of Switzerland Marc Rosset 6–3, 7–6(3)
16. 4 March 1996 Rotterdam, Netherlands Carpet (i) Flag of Russia Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6–4, 3–6, 6–3
17. 4 November 1996 Moscow, Russia Carpet (i) Flag of Russia Yevgeny Kafelnikov 3–6, 6–1, 6–3
18. 27 January 1997 Zagreb, Croatia Carpet (i) Flag of the United Kingdom Greg Rusedski 7–6(4), 4–6, 7–6(6)
19. 24 February 1997 Milan, Italy Carpet (i) Flag of Spain Sergi Bruguera 6–2, 6–2
20. 6 October 1997 Vienna, Austria Carpet (i) Flag of the United Kingdom Greg Rusedski 3–6, 6–7(4), 7–6(4), 6–2, 6–3
21. 2 February 1998 Split, Croatia Carpet (i) Flag of the United Kingdom Greg Rusedski 7–6(3), 7–6(5)
22. 25 June 2001 Wimbledon, London Grass Flag of Australia Patrick Rafter 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 2–6, 9–7

Doubles (9)

No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents in Final Score in Final
1. 17 October 1988 Frankfurt, West Germany Carpet (i) Flag of West Germany Rudiger Haas Flag of the United Kingdom Jeremy Bates
Flag of the Netherlands Tom Nijssen
1–6, 7–5, 6–3
2. 4 February 1991 Milan, Italy Carpet (i) Flag of Italy Omar Camporese Flag of Czechoslovakia Cyril Suk
Flag of the Netherlands Tom Nijssen
6–4, 7–6
3. 13 May 1991 Rome, Italy Clay Flag of Italy Omar Camporese Flag of Australia Laurie Warder
Flag of the United States Luke Jensen
6–2, 6–3
4. 17 June 1991 Manchester, United Kingdom Grass Flag of Italy Omar Camporese Flag of the United Kingdom Andrew Castle
Flag of the United Kingdom Nick Brown
6–4, 6–3
5. 30 December 1991 Adelaide, Australia Hard Flag of Switzerland Marc Rosset Flag of Australia Mark Kratzmann
Flag of Australia Jason Stoltenberg
7–6, 7–6
6. 11 September 1995 Bordeaux, France Hard Flag of Croatia Saša Hirszon Flag of Sweden Henrik Holm
Flag of the United Kingdom Danny Sapsford
6–3, 6–4
7. 26 February 1996 Milan, Italy Carpet (i) Flag of Italy Andrea Gaudenzi Flag of Switzerland Jakob Hlasek
Flag of France Guy Forget
6–4, 7–5
8. 27 January 1997 Zagreb, Croatia Carpet (i) Flag of Croatia Saša Hirszon Flag of South Africa Brent Haygarth
Flag of the United States Mark Keil
6–4, 6–3
9. 10 February 1997 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Hard Flag of the Netherlands Sander Groen Flag of Australia Sandon Stolle
Flag of the Czech Republic Cyril Suk
7–6, 6–3

ATP Tour runner-ups (37)

Singles (27)

No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent in Final Score in Final
1. 29 May 1989 Florence, Italy Clay Flag of Argentina Horacio de la Peña 6–4, 6–3
2. 21 May 1990 Umag, Croatia Clay Flag of Croatia Goran Prpić 6–3, 4–6, 6–4
3. 27 August 1990 Long Island, U.S. Hard Flag of Sweden Stefan Edberg 7–6, 6–3
4. 17 September 1990 Bordeaux, France Clay Flag of France Guy Forget 6–4, 6–3
5. 1 October 1990 Basel, Switzerland Carpet (i) Flag of the United States John McEnroe 6–7, 4–6, 7–6, 6–3, 6–4
6. 19 August 1991 New Haven, U.S. Hard Flag of Czechoslovakia Petr Korda 6–4, 6–2
7. 10 February 1992 Milan, Italy Carpet (i) Flag of Italy Omar Camporese 3–6, 6–3, 6–4
8. 6 July 1992 Wimbledon, London Grass Flag of the United States Andre Agassi 6–7(8), 6–4, 6–4, 1–6, 6–4
9. 11 January 1993 Doha, Qatar Hard Flag of Germany Boris Becker 7–6(4), 4–6, 7–5
10. 17 May 1993 Rome, Italy Clay Flag of the United States Jim Courier 6–1, 6–2, 6–2
11. 1 November 1993 Stockholm, Sweden Carpet (i) Flag of Germany Michael Stich 4–6, 7–6(6), 7–6(3), 6–2
12. 21 February 1994 Stuttgart Indoor, Germany Carpet (i) Flag of Sweden Stefan Edberg 4–6, 6–4, 6–2, 6–2
13. 4 July 1994 Wimbledon, London Grass Flag of the United States Pete Sampras 7–6(2), 7–6(5), 6–0
14. 19 September 1994 Bucharest, Romania Clay Flag of Argentina Franco Davín 6–2, 6–4
15. 31 October 1994 Stockholm, Sweden Carpet (i) Flag of Germany Boris Becker 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6(4)
16. 15 May 1995 Hamburg, Germany Clay Flag of Ukraine Andrei Medvedev 6–3, 6–2, 6–1
17. 15 January 1996 Sydney Outdoor, Australia Hard Flag of the United States Todd Martin 5–7, 6–3, 6–4
18. 26 February 1996 Antwerp, Belgium Carpet (i) Flag of Germany Michael Stich 6–3, 6–2, 7–6(5)
19. 1 April 1996 Key Biscayne, U.S. Hard Flag of the United States Andre Agassi 3–0, ret.
20. 19 August 1996 Indianapolis, U.S. Hard Flag of the United States Pete Sampras 7–6(3), 7–5
21. 9 December 1996 Grand Slam Cup, Munich Carpet (i) Flag of Germany Boris Becker 6–3, 6–4, 6–4
22. 17 February 1997 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Hard Flag of Austria Thomas Muster 7–5, 7–6(3)
23. 16 June 1997 London/Queen's Club, United Kingdom Grass Flag of Australia Mark Philippoussis 7–5, 6–3
24. 6 July 1998 Wimbledon, London Grass Flag of the United States Pete Sampras 6–7(2), 7–6(9), 6–4, 3–6, 6–2
25. 24 August 1998 New Haven, U.S. Hard Flag of Slovakia Karol Kučera 6–4, 5–7, 6–2
26. 12 October 1998 Shanghai, China Carpet Flag of the United States Michael Chang 4–6, 6–1, 6–2
27. 16 November 1998 Moscow, Russia Carpet Flag of Russia Yevgeny Kafelnikov 7–6(2), 7–6(5)

Doubles (10)

No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents in Final Score in Final
1. 2 October 1989 Palermo, Italy Clay Flag of Italy Diego Nargiso Flag of West Germany Peter Ballauff
Flag of West Germany Rudiger Haas
6–2, 6–7, 6–4
2. 19 February 1990 Brussels, Belgium Carpet (i) Flag of Hungary Balázs Taróczy Flag of Spain Emilio Sánchez
Flag of Yugoslavia Slobodan Živojinović
7–5, 6–3
3. 11 June 1990 French Open, Paris Clay Flag of Czechoslovakia Petr Korda Flag of Spain Sergio Casal
Flag of Spain Emilio Sánchez
7–5, 6–3
4. 20 August 1990 New Haven, U.S. Hard Flag of the Czech Republic Petr Korda Flag of the United States Jeff Brown
Flag of the United States Scott Melville
7–5, 7–6
5. 22 July 1991 Stuttgart Outdoor, Germany Clay Flag of Italy Omar Camporese Flag of Australia Wally Masur
Flag of Spain Emilio Sánchez
2–6, 6–3, 6–4
6. 15 June 1992 London/Queen's Club, United Kingdom Grass Flag of Italy Diego Nargiso Flag of Australia John Fitzgerald
Flag of Sweden Anders Jarryd
7–6, 2–6, 16–14
7. 17 April 1995 Barcelona, Spain Clay Flag of Italy Andrea Gaudenzi Flag of the United States Trevor Kronemann
Flag of Australia David Macpherson
6–2, 6–4
8. 7 August 1995 Los Angeles Hard Flag of Croatia Sasa Hirszon Flag of South Africa Brent Haygarth
Flag of the United States Kent Kinnear
6–4, 7–5
9. 7 June 1999 French Open, Paris Clay Flag of the United States Jeff Tarango Flag of India Mahesh Bhupathi
Flag of India Leander Paes
6–2, 7–5
10. 2 August 1999 Los Angeles Hard Flag of the United States Brian MacPhie Flag of Zimbabwe Byron Black
Flag of Zimbabwe Wayne Black
6–2, 7–6(4)

Team titles (3)

Singles performance timeline

Tournament 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Career SR Career Win-Loss
Australian Open A QF 1R 3R 2R A QF 1R 3R QF 1R A 2R A 2R A A 0 / 11 19–11
French Open A 4R QF 2R QF 3R QF 1R 4R 1R 1R 1R 1R A A A A 0 / 12 21–12
Wimbledon 1R 2R SF 2R F 3R F SF QF 2R F 4R 1R W A A 3R 1 / 15 49–14
U.S. Open A 2R 3R 4R 3R 2R 1R 1R SF 1R 4R 3R 1R 3R A A A 0 / 13 21–13
Grand Slam SR 0 / 1 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 4 1 / 2 0 / 1 0 / 0 0 / 1 1 / 51 N/A
Grand Slam Win-Loss 0–1 9–4 11–4 7–4 13–4 5–3 14–4 5–4 14–4 5–4 9–4 5–3 1–4 9–1 1–1 0–0 2–1 N/A 110–50
Indian Wells A 1R 3R 1R 1R 1R 1R A SF 1R 1R 2R 2R 3R A 1R A 0 / 13 9–13
Miami A 1R 2R A 2R 1R QF A F QF 3R 2R 3R 2R 2R A 2R 0 / 13 19–13
Monte Carlo A 1R 2R 2R A 1R QF SF 1R A 1R 1R 1R A A A 1R 0 / 11 8–11
Rome A 2R A 1R 1R F SF SF 3R SF 1R 1R 1R A A A 1R 0 / 12 20–12
Hamburg A 3R 1R QF 2R A 1R F 1R A QF 1R A A A A A 0 / 9 12–9
Canada A 1R A A A A A 2R 1R 2R 3R 1R A A A A A 0 / 6 4–6
Cincinnati A A A A A 1R A QF QF 2R 3R 1R A 3R A A A 0 / 7 9–7
Stockholm A A QF QF W F F A A A A A A A A A A 1 / 5 17–4
Paris A A 2R 2R SF W QF 1R 1R A 1R A A 2R A A A 1 / 9 12–8
Tennis Masters Cup A A A A SF SF RR A SF A A A A RR A A A 0 / 5 8–7
ATP Tournaments Won 0 0 1 1 4 3 2 1 5 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 N/A 22
Year End Ranking 371 40 9 16 4 7 5 10 4 15 12 62 129 12 243 657 266 N/A N/A

See also

Video

Notes and references

  1. Until Croatian independence in 1992, he played for Yugoslavia
  2. "Classic Matches: Ivanišević vs. Rafter". BBC Sport (31 May 2004). Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
  3. "Goran's Split loyalties", BBC Sport (14 July 2001). Retrieved on 2008-01-20. 
  4. Goran Goes for Baggies, retrieved 27 December 2006.
  5. "Baggie Goran shows his colours", Official Albion website (11 December 2006). Retrieved on 2007-08-05. 
  6. TENNIS; Sampras and Ivanišević Slug Way to Semifinals
  7. Goran sweeping the streets of Zagreb

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Marat Safin
ATP Most Improved Player
2001
Succeeded by
Paradorn Srichaphan