From breaking racquets to verbal spats, Goran Ivanisevic has done it all. Yet, away from the court, the tennis legend is a quiet family person. “I am more of a quiet person who loves to be with his family. I like to play with my kids. In a couple of years, they will grow up and live their own life. My daughter is 12. In a few years, she will be 15-16. So I want to spend every moment with her,” said the 43-year-old Croat.
“I am also enjoying life as a coach. but being a player was much easier. As a coach, you have to know what to say, when to say. I learnt from other coaches on the tour. It is complicated. You need to be patient. You have to believe in your player,” he explains.
The former World No. 2 was in India for the Road to Wimbledon event with former British tennis player Henman. “I went on a drive and it surprised me that everyone here honks so much. In Europe, the guy comes out of the car and hits you if you honk twice but here everyone is cool,” said Ivanisevic.
On his success mantra in life, the he added, “I was a player who liked risks. You have to push your luck to see what is going to happen. I like guys who are bold and I am not saying one should jump from building and see what happens, but push yourself against all the odds,” the champ said.
Remembering his epic 2001 Wimbledon final against Pat Rafter, the legend recalls, “To be honest, I don’t know what happened in those two weeks. I found the sound of my racquet before the tournament which I took as a sign. After I won the second round (beating Carlos Moya), I knew I would win. The final was shifted to Monday due to rain, I probably won because it was a Monday final as I had lost three others that were played on Sundays (1992, 94, 98),” the champ-turned-coach said with a laugh.
