Goran calls it a career
WIMBLEDON, England — In the final set of his wild and crazy career, 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic was preparing to serve when a spectator cried out: “We love you, Goran!”
He paused, smiled, then smacked a service winner and pointed toward the admirer. Right before his next serve, a shout came from another section of the stands: “We love you, too, Goran!” He hit a volley winner, then pointed in that supporter’s direction.
One of tennis’ great showmen and few remaining serve-and-volleyers bid farewell at his favorite spot in the world, Centre Court at the All England Club, with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 third-round loss Friday to Lleyton Hewitt, his successor as Wimbledon champion.
“Everything was right: the weather, the crowd, the court,” the 32-year-old Croat said. “I’m happy and sad. I’m sad that I have to leave, but I’m happy that it’s no more practicing. Was really great — 15 years. I really enjoyed every moment of my career.”
So did fans, who delighted in his engaging play and personality. Some worry whether another player can provide similar entertainment now that he’s retired.
“You should wait for another Goran. Is going to come,” he said in his endearingly fractured English. “Every generation has own Goran. So I was the Goran of this generation.”
And the next generation? From the looks of things on Court 2 Friday, Andy Roddick could be that guy.
Swatting big serves, and following them to the net more than usual, the U.S. Open champion produced a nearly Goran-esque display of muttering during a 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-4 victory over 128th-ranked Alexander Peya of Austria.
Roddick’s opponent today is No. 26 Taylor Dent, another big-serving American, who defeated Stefano Pescosolido 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (3). The winner moves into the round of 16, joining No. 7 Hewitt, No. 9 Carlos Moya, No. 10 Sebastien Grosjean and — most surprisingly — No. 27 Robby Ginepri, who ousted No. 6 Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. Two other highly seeded players who aren’t as comfortable on grass as clay lost: No. 2 Anastasia Myskina and No. 3 Guillermo Coria. Myskina (2004) and Ferrero (2003) won the French Open; Coria was this year’s runner-up.
Amy Frazier, who beat Myskina to reach Wimbledon’s fourth round for the first time since 1996, next faces No. 13 Maria Sharapova, while 1999 winner Lindsay Davenport also advanced. Two-time defending champion Serena Williams, No. 4 Amelie Mauresmo and No. 7 Jennifer Capriati reached the third round.
Ivanisevic, unable to defend his lone Grand Slam title because of a series of injuries, wanted one last hurrah at Wimbledon before quitting. He made it to the 1992, 1994 and 1998 finals, losing once to Andre Agassi and twice to Pete Sampras. Then, in 2001, ranked 125th and in need of shoulder surgery, he became the first wild card to win a Slam, pounding a record 212 aces along the way.
His final match provided a wonderful contrast: Ivanisevic’s go-for-broke serve-and-volley style vs. Hewitt’s best-in-the-game returns and lobs.