Goran Ivanisevic Interview

Tennis Magazine - October 1998
Passing Shots: 9 Questions with Goran Ivanisevic

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Interviewers - black
Goran - sage.

IN JULY, GORAN IVANISEVIC REACHED the finals at Wimbledon for the third time in his career (losing to Pete Sampras). While he has yet to win a Grand Slam, his run at Wimbledon signaled to the world that he is back. Ivanisevic had been in a slump, finishing outside the top 10 in 1997 for the first time since 1991.

Where have you been the last two years?

My name was here, but I don't know where I was. This year, the way I played at Wimbledon, the way I have kept my focus, the way I was thinking, has really been a big step forward in my tennis career.

Breaking your finger (in May of 1997) couldn't have helped. How did it happen?
Only I could break my finger this way. I went home, but I forgot what I went home for. So I went (back) out to the car, then I remembered what I came for. So I went back in but I closed the car door on my finger. I smashed it and broke a couple of bones

Did it hurt?
No, it was very nice. I'm going to do it again.

What is your favourite word in the English language?
F***

What's the first word that comes to mind when I say the name Pete Sampras?
Great champion

Marcelo Rios?
Weird guy

Goran Ivanisevic?
Strange Guy

What do you think of the phrase: The best active player to have never won a Grand Slam?
That hurts.

Would you prefer 1999 Wimbledon Champion?
Oh, Yeah. But only if I beat Sampras in the final