Goran Ivanisevic was all smiles after beating Patrick Rafter to claim a first Wimbledon title. The Croat had been a loser in three previous Wimbledon finals and thought he'd never end the skid.
Ending the skid —
Goran Ivanisevic was all smiles after beating Patrick Rafter to claim a first Wimbledon title. The Croat had been a loser in three previous Wimbledon finals and thought he'd never end the skid.
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Ivanisevic climbed into his players' box to celebrate with his team, which included his father Srdjan, second from right. Srdjan had recently undergone heart surgery.
Celebration time —
Ivanisevic climbed into his players' box to celebrate with his team, which included his father Srdjan, second from right. Srdjan had recently undergone heart surgery.
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With thousands of tickets made available to the general public on "People's Monday," the atmosphere on Centre Court was "unbelievable," said Ivanisevic. Rafter had his fans, too.
Centre Court atmosphere —
With thousands of tickets made available to the general public on "People's Monday," the atmosphere on Centre Court was "unbelievable," said Ivanisevic. Rafter had his fans, too.
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As popular as Ivanisevic was, not many on Centre Court were rooting for him in the semifinals against Britain's Tim Henman. A rain delay helped Ivanisevic rally to win in five sets, with Henman never appearing in a Wimbledon final.
Henman obstacle —
As popular as Ivanisevic was, not many on Centre Court were rooting for him in the semifinals against Britain's Tim Henman. A rain delay helped Ivanisevic rally to win in five sets, with Henman never appearing in a Wimbledon final.
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By beating Henman, Rafter, Andy Roddick and Marat Safin that year at Wimbledon, Ivanisevic banished memories of painful defeats on Centre Court. Pete Sampras bettered Ivanisevic in five sets in 1998.
Painful memories —
By beating Henman, Rafter, Andy Roddick and Marat Safin that year at Wimbledon, Ivanisevic banished memories of painful defeats on Centre Court. Pete Sampras bettered Ivanisevic in five sets in 1998.
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Ivanisevic played his last career match at Wimbledon in 2004, again as a wildcard, and lost to Lleyton Hewitt in the third round. Most of the applause as the players left the court was for him, not Rafter's fellow Australian.
Adieu —
Ivanisevic played his last career match at Wimbledon in 2004, again as a wildcard, and lost to Lleyton Hewitt in the third round. Most of the applause as the players left the court was for him, not Rafter's fellow Australian.
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Ivanisevic and Rafter remain good friends and can be occasionally seen playing on the seniors' tour. Ivanisevic helps to run a tournament in Zagreb while Rafter is Australia's Davis Cup captain.
Good friends —
Ivanisevic and Rafter remain good friends and can be occasionally seen playing on the seniors' tour. Ivanisevic helps to run a tournament in Zagreb while Rafter is Australia's Davis Cup captain.
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