Ivanisevic bows out in style
By Caroline Cheese
BBC Sport at Wimbledon
After his final match at Wimbledon, Goran Ivanisevic suggested he
was merely the Goran of his generation and there would be another
just like him along soon.
If only he were right.
In reality, Wimbledon has waved a last goodbye to a cherished character.
It was only right that Ivanisevic played his final match on
Centre Court, the scene of his emotional triumph three years earlier.
And though his exit against Lleyton Hewitt was surprisingly tame,
given the drama he has provided over his 15-year Wimbledon career,
he ensured his final moments were memorable.
He spent several moments speaking with Hewitt at the net before donning
a Croatia football shirt and saluting an adoring crowd.
And later he told an avid audience in Wimbledon's main press room that
he could not have written a better script for his last tournament.
"It was a victory for me," he said.
"Everything was perfect - the weather, the court, the crowd.
I had bad luck against a player who was playing too good but it was
worth it.
"Two years of therapy and struggling, to come back here and finish
my career at Wimbledon. I couldn't ask for any better."
Ivanisevic's career had been heading for a vastly different ending
three years ago.
Having failed in three previous Wimbledon finals, the first in 1992
to Andre Agassi, the Croat had fallen on such poor form that he was
forced to request a wildcard for the 2001 Championships.
Against everyone's expectations, including his own, Ivanisevic put
together a remarkable run, making headlines both for his dramatic
return to form and some hilarious post-match news conferences.
It was surely fate that rain delayed the final until Monday, meaning
Centre Court was packed with dedicated fans of Ivanisevic and
Pat Rafter who had queued on the pavement all night to get in.
The match itself has gone down in history as one of the best ever,
while Centre Court is unlikely to experience an atmosphere of its
kind again.
At its climax, Ivanisevic finally got his hands on the trophy at the
14th time of trying.
Injury prevented him from returning in 2002 to open play on
Centre Court as defending champion, but he cobbled his shoulder
back together to return this year and cap a fairytale turnaround
from gallant loser to champion.
As his career reached an end on Friday, Ivanisevic himself put into
words exactly why that victory was so popular.
"Even when I won Wimbledon I stayed the same," he said.
"Sometimes I don't know what I'm saying and sometimes it's bad,
but who cares? I always try to say what I mean.
"It's me. I like myself. It's OK."
If the public will miss him, the world's press may miss him more for
the torrent of quotes and stories he has provided over the years.
He was asked on Friday if he would come back to Wimbledon.
"Sure, I come to support our boys (from Croatia) and have a little
tea," he replied.
What did he say to Hewitt as they shook hands at the end of the match?
"I told him 'You kick my ass very well'.
"He said it was an honour for him to play with me and when somebody
like Lleyton says that, I'm proud of myself and everything I did in
my career."
When the questions finally ran out, his audience broke out into
applause, but Ivanisevic had the last word.
"I'm going to miss you," he said.
"Thank you for writing good, writing bad, for writing whatever you write.
"I had fun, you had fun. Enjoy."
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