Goran Ivanisevic wins the Champions Trophy against Stich in a flashback to his former best
10 June 2006
"It is hard to keep the women happy," said Goran Ivanisevic with an ironic glimmer in his eye after the match, responding to questions about his private life. At the GERRY WEBER STADION, on the other hand, he had a rather easy match. With a few aces typical of former times, a bit of luck when he needed it and some generally great tennis, the Croat soon had the fans on his side. With his wife, he claims, it is a little more difficult. Maybe the reason is because the former Wimbledon winner is spending increasingly more time on the tennis courts of the world - last year he appeared in nine tournaments on the Senior Tour and even won the Davis Cup with his country.
This year, his shoulder is making life a little more difficult for him, which is why at the French Open, he failed to make an impression in the Men's Doubles with Michael Stich. To make up for that, however, he will be appearing at his favourite Grand Slam Wimbledon with Henri Leconte.
"I love playing on grass. I can really let loose, which is nice," explained the now 34-year-old, who regrets not having ever before played in Halle. But he has promised to return next year to make up for his absence in the past. The Croatian will remain in Germany until Tuesday, the day Croatia face Brazil in the World Cup. He also took in the opening ceremony and game in Munich, but he doesn't have time for anything else, because as soon as next weekend he has his next game - again with Michael Stich the opponent in a gala performance. There, the Croat will have the opportunity of improving his head-to-head record against the German, which before today's encounter was 2-5 against him, and maybe even earn a few more points among the fans.
Goran Ivanisevic takes part in a training session in Sibamac Arena. Eighteen months after donning his beloved Croatian football shirt and waving goodbye to the Wimbledon centre court, Ivanisevic is poised to write a final chapter in his colourful tennis odyssey having earned a surprise recall to the Croatian squad in an effort to help his infant nation win a first ever Davis Cup when they meet Slovakia in the final.
Goran Ivanisevic has committed himself to Croatia's Davis Cup cause and pulled out of November's Champions Masters at the Royal Albert Hall. The 2001 Wimbledon champion had been due in London for the Tour of Champions finale from 29 November to 4 December.
But the 34-year-old has changed his plans after a shock call-up for the Davis Cup final against Slovakia.
"This is a chance of a lifetime for me to be in the Croatian team for the Davis Cup final," he said.
"Who knows if it is ever going to happen again?"
Ivanisevic had already qualified for the Albert Hall event but it clashes with the Davis Cup final, which takes place over the weekend 2-4 December.
"I think the tournament and the spectators will understand that this is a one-time opportunity for me and I plan to play a lot of Masters' in the future," he said.
"Trust me, I will be there in London next year."
Ivanisevic was called out of retirement by Croatia team captain Niki Pilic, and may be brought in for the doubles rubber.
Ivanisevicet is nevezik a horvátok a Davis Kupa-döntőre november 22. 19:18 [MTI]
Goran Ivanisevic, a horvátok már visszavonult wimbledoni bajnoka lesz nemzeti teniszcsapatának negyedik tagja a jövő péntektől vasárnapig tartó szlovákok elleni Davis Kupa fináléban.
A harmincöt éves klasszis mellett Ivan Ljubicic, Mario Ancic és Ivo Karlovic szerepel majd Nikki Pilic szövetségi kapitány együttesében. Ivanisevic minden bizonnyal csak párosban juthat szóhoz, ráadásul ehhez az is kellene, hogy Ancic vagy Ljubicic megsérüljön.
A szlovákok a Dominik Hrbaty, Karol Beck, Michal Mertinak, Karol Kucera formációval készülnek a pozsonyi küzdelemre.
Friday 2 DECEMBER LIVE Coverage of the opening singles rubbers on the first day at the Sibamac Arena National Tennis Centre in Bratislava, followed by highlights in the evening. Sky Sports Xtra, 2-6pm, 9pm-12 midnight.
Ha hoki-csarnokra gondolsz,akkor az télleg nagyobb(kb 8000-es),de öreg,elavult létesítmény,nincs a teniszhez megfelelő infrastruktúra,és a játékosok közönségkapcsolata sem olyan jó mint Sibamacé.(nyilván ott a védőplexi)
Igen, ezen en is nagyon rajta akarok lenni! Sajna nekem Pozsony messze van, de mindenkepp vegigizgulom ezt a döntöt!!!! Tegyetek be ide, ha talaltok valamit, minden csatornat, en meg beizzitom a müholdvevömet addig :D
Szép volt,Goran!!!
Goran Ivanisevic takes part in a training session in Sibamac Arena. Eighteen months after donning his beloved Croatian football shirt and waving goodbye to the Wimbledon centre court, Ivanisevic is poised to write a final chapter in his colourful tennis odyssey having earned a surprise recall to the Croatian squad in an effort to help his infant nation win a first ever Davis Cup when they meet Slovakia in the final.