ATP: Maradona as a youth idol

Goran Ivanisevic is considered one of the best players of all time and now gives intimate insights into personal experiences and secrets.

The 1.93-metre giant from Croatia celebrated great success on the ATP tour. In 2001, he won his only Grand Slam title in the Wimbledon final against Patrick Rafter.Goran Ivanisevic is one of the most renowned and famous players of all time.After his career end in 2004, Ivanisevic was a coach in Marin Cilic’s box from 2013 to 2016.Together with his compatriot he won the US Open in 2014.

The 46-year-old now gave an interview on the ATP Champions Tour website to give an insight into his private life.For example, when it comes to cooking, the ex-professional gets into a sweat:”I’m not good at everything.I can make eggs.Can you let it pass for cooking?”, Ivanisevic joked.

In his career, the service specialist played more than 1000 matches and consumed some string pictures.Ivanisevic left the stringing of his rackets to others who could do better:”The last time was about 35 years ago.I was really bad at it and I haven’t done it since,”the Croatian confessed.The 22-time tournament winner also revealed the hardness of the strings.At the beginning of his career, he had his rackets punctured with 24/23 kilograms, over time the hardness had risen to 27/26 kilograms and at the end of his career to 28/27 kilograms, according to Ivanisevic.

The 46-year-old can remember for a moment in the 90s – at that time “Zec” met his childhood idol:”I met Diego Maradona sometime in the 90s.The second time I saw him at the 2012 FIFA World Cup.”

Ivanisevic also admitted that his popularity has one or two advantages:”When I need a table in a restaurant, it works – whether in Croatia or London,”explained the man from Split.When it comes to booking a tennis court,”Zac”, his nickname in his homeland, doesn’t seem as easy as it seems,”I had to rent a court in Split once when I was playing with my son.I also had to buy balls,”Ivanisevic added.