Tennis is mostly for robots now. You see it every day—perfectly tuned athletes with clinical diets and spreadsheets for backhands. But then there’s Goran Ivanisevic. Honestly, if you were around in the 90s or early 2000s, you know he was the antidote to all that. He was a man who famously claimed he had three people living inside his head: Good Goran, Bad Goran, and 911 Goran.
When people talk about Goran Ivanisevic today, they usually bring up 2001. It's basically the greatest "last dance" in sports history. But the story is much weirder and more stressful than just one lucky tournament. He was a guy who could hit 40 aces in a match and still find a way to lose because he got into an argument with himself about a line call.
The 2001 Wimbledon Miracle: What People Get Wrong
Most folks remember that Goran won Wimbledon as a wildcard. That's true. He’s actually the only man to ever do it. But they forget how truly "finished" he was before that fortnight started.
By June 2001, Ivanisevic was ranked 125th in the world. His left shoulder was a mess—basically held together by tape and stubbornness. He’d lost in three previous Wimbledon finals ('92, '94, and '98), and the general consensus was that he was a "choker." Pete Sampras had spent a decade ruining his life.
The All England Club gave him a wildcard mostly out of pity. It was a "thanks for the memories" gesture. Then, the madness started. He took down Carlos Moya. He blasted past a young Andy Roddick. He survived a three-day, rain-delayed semifinal against Tim Henman that nearly gave the entire population of Great Britain a collective heart attack.
The People’s Monday
Because of the rain, the final against Pat Rafter happened on a Monday. They opened the gates. The "snobs" in the fancy suits were gone, replaced by thousands of screaming Croatians and Aussies who had queued overnight. It felt more like a soccer match than a tennis final.
The match was a five-set nightmare. 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7.
When it came time to serve for the match, Goran fell apart. He double-faulted. He cried. He crossed himself. He looked like a man who was about to be the first person in history to spontaneously combust on live television. But then Rafter hit a forehand into the net. Goran collapsed. At 29, with a broken shoulder and a wildcard, he finally had his trophy.
The "Three Gorans" and the Racket Massacre
You can't understand Goran Ivanisevic without talking about his temper. It wasn't mean-spirited like some players; it was just... chaotic.
In 2000, at a tournament in Brighton, he did something no one else has ever done. He was defaulted from a match because he smashed every single racket he owned. He literally ran out of equipment. He told the umpire he had nothing left to play with.
🔗 Read more: Errol Spence Jr: Why The Truth Is Still One of Boxing’s Biggest Question Marks
"At least when I've finished playing tennis, they'll remember me for something. They'll say, 'There's that guy who never won Wimbledon, but he smashed all his rackets.'"
Fortunately, he did win Wimbledon. But that quote tells you everything about the pressure he felt. He was a perfectionist who couldn't always handle his own talent. He was also incredibly funny. Once, an umpire kept mispronouncing his name. Goran looked at him and said, "Wrong, wrong, wrong—Ivanišević!"
From Chaos to the Coaching Box
If you told someone in 1995 that Goran Ivanisevic would become the most successful coach of the 2020s, they would have laughed in your face. "The guy who smashed his rackets is going to teach discipline?"
Well, he did.
Goran has this weird, intuitive way of understanding big servers. He coached Marin Cilic to a US Open title in 2014. Then, he joined Novak Djokovic’s team in 2019. Think about that. The most emotional, volatile player of his generation became the right-hand man for the most disciplined, clinical player in history.
It worked. Under Goran, Djokovic’s serve became a genuine weapon rather than just a way to start the point. They won nine Grand Slams together before splitting in early 2024. Most recently, Goran signed on to coach Elena Rybakina starting in 2025, proving that his "serve magic" is still the most sought-after commodity in the sport.
Why He Still Matters
Goran Ivanisevic is the reminder that sports aren't played on paper. If they were, he never would have won a Slam. He represents the "messy human" element.
- The Ace King: He held the record for most aces at Wimbledon (1,377) for years until Roger Federer finally passed him.
- National Hero: When he returned to Split in 2001, over 150,000 people filled the streets.
- The Only Wildcard: His 2001 run remains a statistical anomaly that will likely never be repeated.
If you’re looking to improve your own game based on the "Goran Method," don't start smashing rackets. Instead, look at his resilience. He lost three finals. He was written off. He kept showing up until the universe finally blinked.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Players
- Watch the 2001 Final: If you haven't seen the 5th set against Rafter, go find it on YouTube. It's a masterclass in how to win when your nerves are failing you.
- Focus on the "Second Serve": Goran’s victory came off a 109 mph second serve. It was a massive risk, but it shows that being aggressive under pressure often beats playing safe.
- Embrace the Personality: In a world of PR-managed athletes, Goran’s honesty is refreshing. He proved you can be yourself—flaws and all—and still reach the top.
Goran didn't just play tennis; he survived it. And in doing so, he gave us the most human story the sport has ever seen.
Next Steps: You might want to look into the specific technical changes Goran made to Novak Djokovic's serve toss, which many experts believe extended Novak's career by several years.