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Apologies in advance for Spoiler. About to add to DC Worldwide thread, got distracted, started new thread.
Ivanisevic to contest Cup place
By Martin Herman in Split, Croatia
September 26, 2005
FORMER Wimbledon champion, Croatia's Goran Ivanisevic will come out of retirement to play for a place in December's Davis Cup final with Slovakia.
The left-handed powerhouse, who quit in 2003 with a nagging shoulder injury, will take on compatriot Sasa Tuksar for a place in the final squad, Croatia captain Niki Pilic said after today's (AEST) semi-final victory over Russia.
"I'm telling everyone now for the first time that there will be a one-off match between Goran and Sasa at my club in Munich," said Pilic.
"It will be held on a fast rebound ace court at 500m altitude, and that will help Goran," he added with a smile.
"Whoever wins will be the fourth player. But if Goran loses he will still be with us for the final. If Goran wins Sasa will also still be with us."
Croatia's assistant coach and unofficial chief cheerleader, Ivanisevic led the celebrations at Split's Gripe Sports Hall after Ivan Ljubicic capped a superb weekend by beating Nikolay Davydenko 6-3 7-6 6-4 to give the host a decisive 3-1 lead over Russia.
Ivanisevic, who won Wimbledon as a wildcard in 2001, confirmed he is ready to play in the final.
"It's not for me to decide, I'll be there as fourth player or as assistant coach, whatever, I'll be there," said the 34-year-old Croatian sporting hero.
"I know this team can win the Davis Cup."
Ivanisevic paid tribute to the 26-year-old Ljubicic, who has won nine out of nine matches as his country beat the United States, Romania and now 2002 champion Russia to reach its first Davis Cup final.
"This should be called the Ljubicic Cup not the Davis Cup," said Ivanisevic. "It's unbelievable to win nine matches in a row, not easy matches either.
"(Andre) Agassi, (Andy) Roddick, (Andrei) Pavel, (Victor) Hanescu, now Mikhail Youzhny and Davydenko, he won all three doubles, he's a real hero.
"For us to be in the final is great for the sport, the country, it's unbelievable."
Ivanisevic, who won 33 Davis Cup rubbers for Croatia, said playing is far easier than sitting on the sidelines.
"It's much tougher watching," he said. "You want to help but you can't, you have to sit, you can't get out of your seat.
"When you're playing you can control the situation, your emotions, but when you're sitting you can only yell and scream."
Pilic said leading Croatia to the final beats the feeling of his three successes with Germany in 1988, 1989 and 1993.
"For me this is much better," he said. "We are a small nation with four million people. It's a fantastic achievement for Croatia, I'm very proud of my guys. "I really believe we have a very good chance of beating Slovakia in Bratislava."
Agence France-Presse
Ivanisevic to contest Cup place
By Martin Herman in Split, Croatia
September 26, 2005
FORMER Wimbledon champion, Croatia's Goran Ivanisevic will come out of retirement to play for a place in December's Davis Cup final with Slovakia.
The left-handed powerhouse, who quit in 2003 with a nagging shoulder injury, will take on compatriot Sasa Tuksar for a place in the final squad, Croatia captain Niki Pilic said after today's (AEST) semi-final victory over Russia.
"I'm telling everyone now for the first time that there will be a one-off match between Goran and Sasa at my club in Munich," said Pilic.
"It will be held on a fast rebound ace court at 500m altitude, and that will help Goran," he added with a smile.
"Whoever wins will be the fourth player. But if Goran loses he will still be with us for the final. If Goran wins Sasa will also still be with us."
Croatia's assistant coach and unofficial chief cheerleader, Ivanisevic led the celebrations at Split's Gripe Sports Hall after Ivan Ljubicic capped a superb weekend by beating Nikolay Davydenko 6-3 7-6 6-4 to give the host a decisive 3-1 lead over Russia.
Ivanisevic, who won Wimbledon as a wildcard in 2001, confirmed he is ready to play in the final.
"It's not for me to decide, I'll be there as fourth player or as assistant coach, whatever, I'll be there," said the 34-year-old Croatian sporting hero.
"I know this team can win the Davis Cup."
Ivanisevic paid tribute to the 26-year-old Ljubicic, who has won nine out of nine matches as his country beat the United States, Romania and now 2002 champion Russia to reach its first Davis Cup final.
"This should be called the Ljubicic Cup not the Davis Cup," said Ivanisevic. "It's unbelievable to win nine matches in a row, not easy matches either.
"(Andre) Agassi, (Andy) Roddick, (Andrei) Pavel, (Victor) Hanescu, now Mikhail Youzhny and Davydenko, he won all three doubles, he's a real hero.
"For us to be in the final is great for the sport, the country, it's unbelievable."
Ivanisevic, who won 33 Davis Cup rubbers for Croatia, said playing is far easier than sitting on the sidelines.
"It's much tougher watching," he said. "You want to help but you can't, you have to sit, you can't get out of your seat.
"When you're playing you can control the situation, your emotions, but when you're sitting you can only yell and scream."
Pilic said leading Croatia to the final beats the feeling of his three successes with Germany in 1988, 1989 and 1993.
"For me this is much better," he said. "We are a small nation with four million people. It's a fantastic achievement for Croatia, I'm very proud of my guys. "I really believe we have a very good chance of beating Slovakia in Bratislava."
Agence France-Presse
