Goran Ivanišević, legendary Croatian tennis player, is famous for his unmatched serve and winning Wimbledon as a wild card. His courage and skill inspire fans worldwide.
Goran Ivanišević
Goran Ivanišević, born on September 13, 1971, in Split, Croatia, is a former professional tennis player known for his powerful left-handed serve.
He won a total of 22 ATP singles titles during his career, including the prestigious Wimbledon Championship in 2001.
Goran Ivanišević is the only player to win Wimbledon as a wild card, achieving this remarkable feat when ranked No. 125 in the world.
Before his 2001 victory, Ivanišević was runner-up at Wimbledon three times—in 1992, 1994, and 1998—housing incredible persistence.
He once held the Wimbledon record for most aces served, with 1,377, a record later broken by Roger Federer in 2019.
Goran reached his career-high ranking of World No. 2 in July 1994.
He competed in four Olympic Games (1988, 1992, 1996, and 2000), winning two bronze medals at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Ivanišević was the Croatian flag bearer during the opening ceremony of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
After retiring in 2004, Goran became a successful coach, mentoring players like Marin Čilić and Novak Djokovic.
He famously coached Novak Djokovic from 2019 to 2024, helping Djokovic to win nine major titles during this period.
Goran Ivanišević is known for his emotional on-court displays, including kneeling and praying during his 2001 Wimbledon final.
He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2020, cementing his legacy in tennis history.
During the 2001 Wimbledon final, he defeated Pat Rafter in an epic five-set match, winning 9-7 in the final set.
Almost 200,000 people gathered in his hometown Split to celebrate his Wimbledon win, highlighting his national hero status.
Goran Ivanišević also has a foundation, “Help Children in Need,” aimed at assisting children in Croatia.
