The 2001 Wimbledon title was the last of Ivaniševićs career. He temporarily retired in 2002 due to shoulder surgery. He returned to tennis sparingly in the following years but in 2004 retired after a third-round loss to Lleyton Hewitt at Wimbledon, held on the Centre Court, the scene of his greatest triumph. In 2005, Ivanišević was a member of the Croatian team for the Davis Cup final against Slovakia in Bratislava, although he did not play. Croatia won the final 3–2. He Received a Winners Medal and his name was engraved on the trophy along with Mario Ančić, Ivo Karlović, Ivan Ljubičić and Captain Nikola Pilić. In June 2006, he performed in the Calderstones Park tournament in Liverpool. In November of the same year, Ivanišević won the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions tournament in Frankfurt, defeating John McEnroe 7–6(12), 7–6(1). In 2007, Roger Federer, seeking his 5th consecutive Wimbledon title against Rafael Nadal in the final, practiced with Ivanišević. Federer said the practice session helped him against Nadal: Well, I mean, its good to have hit at least half an hour with a lefty before the finals because Ive played against six right handers. So, of course, its hard to come into a match and you play a lefty. Especially on the returns, I always feel it. The entire points are played in a different manner. Where usually you go backhand cross‑court, with Rafa I have to go backhand long line. I asked Goran yesterday if he wanted to hit with me. He said, Sure, Im around. I was very happy he did that. Ivanišević now coaches compatriot Marin Čilić.[8]
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 12:57:10 +0000
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