“The GOAT debate for me was over a long time ago” Goran Ivanisevic lands his verdict after Novak Djokovic wins the Wimbledon 2021
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Big 3 of Tennis
Goran Ivanisevic‘s love affair with Wimbledon continues 20 years after he won the 2001 Wimbledon as a wildcard entrant at the Grand Slam. Goran retired shortly after, calling it a day in professional tennis in 2004. He played in the senior tournaments for a while before turning to coaching in 2013.
He found early success in coaching when he joined Marin Cilic in 2013 and helped his fellow Croatian to his only Grand Slam title at the 2014 US Open. He had brief coaching stints with Tomas Berdych and Milos Raonic before joining Novak Djokovic in the 2019 season and has been with him ever since helping him to 5 more Grand Slams.
Goran Ivanisevic proud of Novak Djokovic’s run at Wimbledon 2021
Djokovic came to the Wimbledon 2021 without any appearance on Grass in a Singles tournament playing only the Doubles event at the ATP Mallorca Open 2021. His title run at the French Open 2021 was the last Singles tournament he played before coming to Wimbledon 2021 where he dropped the 1st set against 18-year old wildcard entrant Jack Draper in the 1st round.
“Nobody expected in the 21st Century that would be possible, but it’s possible. We are from Balkan. People from Balkan, everything is possible. When nobody expects anything, we create everything. I have strong pills, they’re very good, haha. Like I said many times, if someone can win the Golden Slam, it’s him. It’s pressure, not easy, but at the same time it’s fun, it’s a challenge.
“I am proud as a part of the team and as a friend. Novak is writing the history of tennis. Wasn’t the most beautiful final, but a lot was at stake. The first two games of the second set were very important.
“A lot of people underestimate Novak’s volleys. We talked before the match, because Berrettini chips his return, that it’s good to come to the net and mix it up,” said Goran about Novak’s performances at the Championships this year.
Ivanisevic talks about his opinion on the GOAT debate
Goran has always been a strong advocate for Djokovic’s case as Novak often gets the flak for his ‘unconventional’ behaviour that seems to get more attention than his achievements. While Goran does support Novak for obvious reasons, he has always shown great respect for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who along with Novak form the Big-3 of Tennis.
“For me was over a long time ago. It’s just who you like more. Between these three guys, 60 Grand Slams. It’s unreal. Maybe you like Nadal, Federer more, maybe somebody else. I strongly believe that Novak will win the US Open. If he does, the story is over. This one was huge, this was for number 20,” said Goran about his take on the GOAT debate.
While the GOAT debate will certainly be the talk of the town for a while now, it’s no doubt that witnessing 3 players on 20 Grand Slams each and continuing to dominate the sport is a great privilege for the tennis fans.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)