Ivanisevic soon to be named Croatia's Davis Cup Captain

[raftermania]

Ivanisevic's naming as Croatia Davis Cup captain delayed

ZAGREB, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Croatia's Tennis Association (HTS) has delayed until January the appointment of former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic as their new Davis Cup captain, state news agency Hina reported on Wednesday.

Local media said earlier this week that Ivanisevic would succeed Niki Pilic, who led Croatia to their first Davis Cup title this year, after Wednesday's meeting with HTS president Radimir Cacic.

An HTS official told Hina that Cacic and Ivanisevic had agreed to meet again on Jan. 16 to define the future roles of Ivanisevic -- who retired in 2004 due to a shoulder injury -- and Pilic.

However, Pilic told Hina that everything was practically agreed.

"I will cede my post to Ivanisevic, but will stay on with the team to help as an adviser," he said.

Croatia beat Slovakia in the Davis Cup final earlier this month. The 34-year-old Ivanisevic, who won Wimbledon as a wildcard in 2001, came out of retirement for the final and was on the team but did not play.

Croatia will begin the defence of their title against Austria in Graz in February.

 

[pero]

now, it's putted on delay untill january...

but it's almoust 100% that goran will be caaptain and pilic will also stay with team

 

[armand]

Why mess with succees? Why fix something that ain't done broke? Can someone explain that to me?

 

[Andres]

I don't like it
I prefer him IN the team, so at least there exists the chance he could play

But it'll be great just to see him everytime

 

[bigserving]

It is good for the game that popular players hold high profile positions in the game. His title may change, but I doubt that Pilic's role will the team will change much. He did play an integral part of the win over the US.

 

[Tchocky]

I don't think Goran will make a good captain. Didn't Pilic use to coach the German Davis Cup Team? I saw him coaching Becker against Agassi in 1989. What gives? Don't you have to be a citizen of the country you're coaching?

 

[croatian sensation]

It is good for the game that popular players hold high profile positions in the game. His title may change, but I doubt that Pilic's role will the team will change much. He did play an integral part of the win over the US.

something like that..it's not yet official, so Pilic is still the captain, but when they put Goran, I agree...Pilic will still be important and I think it's good. IMO Goran is (or at least was as a player) too unpredictable and not enough calm to be a captain.
Tchocky...don't know how it works in tennis...but look at other sports, for example soccer- a Swedish guy leading England, a Dutchman leading Japan...I don't think it's the citizenship that counts...although Pilic has been living in Germany for a long long time..maybe he has double-citizenship

 

[pound cat]

Not in 06!

Goran Ivanisevic still wants to captain the champion Croatian Davis Cup team, but he will have to wait a little longer for the inevitable to happen.

The popular Croatian, now 34-years-old, said last month he could take the post from current captain Nikki Pilic. However, he was quoted by a Croatian sports daily on Tuesday as saying that “things didn’t work out.”

“I thought it over and over and consulted with people whose opinion I respect,” Ivanisevic told the Jutarnji List.

“Niko [Pilic] must lead the team in 2006. When he decides to leave, my time will come. I will certainly be the captain, but not this year.”

Pilic, behind some outstanding tennis from Ivan Ljubicic and Mario Ancic, led the team to an inspiring 3-2 finals win over the Slovak Republic in Bratislava.

Ivanisevic was a non-playing member of his country’s famous Davis Cup-winning team, but insisted he was prepared to play if called upon.

With Ljubicic finishing 2005 with some remarkable form, Ancic gaining in confidence and becoming a genuine contender, and Ivo Karlovic building his reputation as a giant killer, it is no wonder that being captain of the Croatian Davis Cup team is a sought after job.

“It is certain that I will not lead the team in 2006, but it’s equally certain that I will lead it one day.”

When Ivanisevic eventually takes over the reins, it will simply be another chapter to his colourful tennis odyssey.


Herald sun

 

[Aykhan Mammadov]

First, I don't understand why to change existing captain with a new one if the team won Davis CUP ? It could be ashaming and insulting fact for the existing captain. And it will be very bad behavior from Ivanicevic side if he agrees with this change.

In the second, being a captain doesn't IMHO so much influence to a teams' results. It was not captain's merit that they have in their team such a great player as Ljubicic who won Agassi, Roddick and etc.. before they reached the final. IMHO captains mean not so much, it is for show off, simply Ivanicevic maybe wants to be seen publicly more than he is seen now.

 

[pound cat]

I think it was wishful thinking on Goran's part and likely his idea, maybe thinking that Pilic would be retiring. Goran seems like a super energetic person, and seems to miss the excitement of tennis, the crowds, the applause being interviewed and being the centre of attention.

 

[pound cat]

I guess the Goran for captain vote got a NO!

I will not sleep on it, I will not change it," Ivanisevic told sports gazette Sportske Novosti on Thursday, before leaving for Monte Carlo.

The 34-year-old had said he wanted to be his country's next skipper after they beat Slovakia to win the Davis Cup for the first time in December.

Media reports suggested Ivanisevic would take over from Niki Pilic in time for their first round tie against Austria in Graz in February.

On Thursday, however, he said he was leaving Croatian tennis and would focus his attention on the Senior Tour and "doing something else outside tennis".

"I was probably wrong to reactivate for the Davis Cup," he said. "But there is no anger, no bitterness. I bear no one any grudge and wish the guys and Pilic all the best, may they repeat the Davis Cup success," Ivanisevic said.

Pilic told the Jutarnji List daily he would lead the team least against Austria, although he did not commit himself on a longer-term basis.

"That's as far as we agreed for now. We have yet to see how to proceed," said Pilic, the only captain to have won the Davis Cup with two different nations, Croatia and Germany.

Ivanisevic, who won Wimbledon as a wildcard in 2001, came out of retirement to be part of Croatia's four-man team for the Davis Cup final against Slovakia in Bratislava, although he did not play.

 

[Andres]

At least, he'll be playing
Good for him! (and us )

 

[pound cat]

This is curious. What does it all mean? Is eurosport confused again?


Croatia's Davis Cup captain Niki Pilic has resigned, state radio reported on Thursday, one month after guiding them to a first title. Media reports have said that 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic would take over before Croatia's first round tie against Austria in February.





Ivanisevic said last week he would not take the position and that was his final decision.

State radio said the main candidates to take over were former players Goran Prpic, who heads the FedCup team, and Sasa Hirszon.

 

[raftermania]

Very interesting situation, STAY TUNED!!!

 

[croatian sensation]

A very common Croatian situation...for the press to make an affair out of nothing...and then the real affair starts. I just don't know why Pilic resigned. Actually, I do. Some of the media insinuated it was Pilic's fault Goran refused to take the place (because how it had been planned Pilic would have been Goran's "advisor" and Goran refused to take the place under these conditions-although it hasn't been said, that was the main reason for Goran's no). I don't think it was Pilic's idea- that "advisor" thing.
Anyway...Ancic and Ljubicic stated that they only want Pilic or Goran as their captain so we'll see how this goes.
So we're the DC winners without the captain, a month from the DC season round 1.
Oh my dear Croatians...how I love you Just hope this doesn't mess up our game.

 

[Andres]

A very common Croatian situation...for the press to make an affair out of nothing...and then the real affair starts. I just don't know why Pilic resigned. Actually, I do. Some of the media insinuated it was Pilic's fault Goran refused to take the place (because how it had been planned Pilic would have been Goran's "advisor" and Goran refused to take the place under these conditions-although it hasn't been said, that was the main reason for Goran's no). I don't think it was Pilic's idea- that "advisor" thing.
Anyway...Ancic and Ljubicic stated that they only want Pilic or Goran as their captain so we'll see how this goes.
So we're the DC winners without the captain, a month from the DC season round 1.
Oh my dear Croatians...how I love you Just hope this doesn't mess up our game.

It doesn't matter who's your DC captain, sensation darling. Your game won't be messed up. Too bad u're going down in QF

 

[croatian sensation]

Latest news on the subject...LJUBICIC WILL BE OUR PLAYER-CAPTAIN for the match against Austria. Crazy. They held a press-conferention a few minutes ago at croatian tennis association. The good news is that Goran agreed to meet with the president of the association on Saturday so he could be our captain in the following rounds.

 

[Andres]

So... there's no chance Goran could play in the next rounds?
What a pity.

Anyway, it's always good to see him there

 

[raftermania]

A player and a captain? Has this been done before??? Kevin Patrick, where are you???