The most inspirational fairy tale like sporting achievement - Ivanisevic Wimbledon 2001 or Djokovic Olympics 2024?

[Hitman]

Two of the greatest and most inspirational stories told in professional tennis, both with a script to rival anything in Hollywood, involving two of the most beloved tennis icons of the sport.

Goran Ivanisevic - Wimbledon 2001

This journey truly had the most magical ending, he had lost three Wimbledon finals before, the third one in 98 had him breaking down in tears and being inconsolable for a very long time, as he felt he lost his final chance. 2001 comes along, and the charismatic player wasn't even in the top 100, but was given a wildcard in an attempt to bring in more audiences to outside courts for the earlier rounds. Goran went onto to change the script, in what has been considered the single greatest grand slam tournament ever played as a whole, he went through one of the most brutal draws possible for him and ended up winning back to back five set thrillers in the semis and finals....to win the title on the first ever Wimbledon final on Monday. A journey that that began a decade earlier finally ended in the most triumphant way possible.....he went from being the greatest player to never win a slam to Wimbledon champion and forever immortalized in sporting history.

Novak Djokovic - Olympics 2024

Just like his former coach, Goran, Novak's journey has been nothing short of one the most heroic sagas ever seen in the sport, and across all sports. He left the court in tears back in 2008, unable to make it to the gold medal match, but he kept going for it, more tears and heartbreak followed as for the next three Olympics, he was still unable to fight for the gold medal he so badly wanted. He never hid his feelings and the importance of what winning the Olympics meant for him, making himself vulnerable to the naysayers who were already using it to put a stain on his legacy. 2024, and Djokovic had not win a single title, not a single top ten win, he gets injured in June, throwing his participation into doubt, and then take a massive loss in the W final. Despite all the odds stacked against him, at 37, on his worst surface, he defeats his toughest challenge, makes his first gold medal match and become the first man to not only win the gold without dropping a set, but the first player, male or female to win every big title possible and complete tennis. The ultimate example of the unyielding will of the human spirit, Djokovic ascended to heights never before seen in this sport.

 

[itrium84]

Ivanisevic

 

[Pheasant]

Ivanisevic easily. The dude won his only slam title and it happened to be the biggest one at the time(Wimbledon). Djoker went in with 24 slam titles and 500 big titles to his name. Winning big title #501 wasn't a true shocker. It's impressive that he bagged #501 at age 37 and 3 months. But Ivan's win was much more of a fairy tale.

Honestly, nothing that Djoker does is a fairy tale. Fairy tale doesn't mix with a guy that has 501 big titles and 400+ weeks at #1. And honestly, I won't count that guy out of any big tourney that he plays.

 

[thenewbig3]

Ivanisevic winning Wimbledon was Inconceivable : Chance of Victory pre tournament was 0%

Djokovic was Second Favorite to Win the Olympics even with Wimbledon & Knee Troubles

 

[itrium84]

You should create a poll @Hitman

 

[messiahrobins]

Two of the greatest and most inspirational stories told in professional tennis, both with a script to rival anything in Hollywood, involving two of the most beloved tennis icons of the sport.

Goran Ivanisevic - Wimbledon 2001

This journey truly had the most magical ending, he had lost three Wimbledon finals before, the third one in 98 had him breaking down in tears and being inconsolable for a very long time, as he felt he lost his final chance. 2001 comes along, and the charismatic player wasn't even in the top 100, but was given a wildcard in an attempt to bring in more audiences to outside courts for the earlier rounds. Goran went onto to change the script, in what has been considered the single greatest grand slam tournament ever played as a whole, he went through one of the most brutal draws possible for him and ended up winning back to back five set thrillers in the semis and finals....to win the title on the first ever Wimbledon final on Monday. A journey that that began a decade earlier finally ended in the most triumphant way possible.....he went from being the greatest player to never win a slam to Wimbledon champion and forever immortalized in sporting history.

Novak Djokovic - Olympics 2024

Just like his former coach, Goran, Novak's journey has been nothing short of one the most heroic sagas ever seen in the sport, and across all sports. He left the court in tears back in 2008, unable to make it to the gold medal match, but he kept going for it, more tears and heartbreak followed as for the next three Olympics, he was still unable to fight for the gold medal he so badly wanted. He never hid his feelings and the importance of what winning the Olympics meant for him, making himself vulnerable to the naysayers who were already using it to put a stain on his legacy. 2024, and Djokovic had not win a single title, not a single top ten win, he gets injured in June, throwing his participation into doubt, and then take a massive loss in the W final. Despite all the odds stacked against him, at 37, on his worst surface, he defeats his toughest challenge, makes his first gold medal match and become the first man to not only win the gold without dropping a set, but the first player, male or female to win every big title possible and complete tennis. The ultimate example of the unyielding will of the human spirit, Djokovic ascended to heights never before seen in this sport.

Nadal AO 2022, The Miracle in Melbourne.

 

[Sport]

Nadal AO 2022, The Miracle in Melbourne.

All jokes aside, and knowning he obviously benefited from the absence of Novak (which I undertand that could infuriate many fans), it's indeed a miracle he won that title. Seeing that 35 and a half years old Nadal coming back from 0-2 down and saving a 0-40 in the third set that were basically 3 match points it's indeed as impressive as it gets.

Not even the Eurosport win predictor believed in him. Incredibly display of mental strength and resiliance. One of the most epic comebacks ever in a Slam final.

 

[messiahrobins]

All jokes aside, and knowning he obviously benefited from the absence of Novak (which I undertand that could infuriate many fans), it's indeed a miracle he won that title. Seeing that 35 and a half years old Nadal coming back from 0-2 down and saving a 0-40 in the third set that were basically 3 match points it's indeed as impressive as it gets.

Not even the Eurosport win predictor believed in him. Incredibly display of mental strength and resiliance. One of the most epic comebacks ever in a Slam final.

The most Epic. But for W2008 Final, id have said that was the crowning moment of Nadal's career.

 

[Sport]

Novak winning the Olympics at his last attempt is, I believe, more emotional and "fairy tale-like" than Ivanisevic winning a Wimbledon title without even being seeded.

 

[Hitman]

You should create a poll @Hitman

OK, poll created.

 

[Galvermegs]

Novak winning the Olympics at his last attempt is, I believe, more emotional and "fairy tale-like" than Ivanisevic winning a Wimbledon title without even being seeded.

Not sure what you quite mean about seedings. I suppose you know novak was one of several youngsters to help train the low ranked goran in 2001.. and much later the old man is the coach.

 

[Mainad]

Both players won their coveted titles after many failures and on their last realistic opportunity. It was very emotional for both especially Djokovic.

I gave the nod to Ivanisevic because it was his last ditch attempt to win his only Slam after 3 failed attempts in the final and he did it as as an unseeded wildcard.

 

[JasonZ]

ivanisevic of course. gorans 2001 wimby run is untouchable.

 

[Sudacafan]

I voted for Djokovic, mainly for recency bias, and because a Golden Olympic Medal is harder to win.

 

[Cabeza del Demonio]

Two of the greatest and most inspirational stories told in professional tennis, both with a script to rival anything in Hollywood, involving two of the most beloved tennis icons of the sport.

Goran Ivanisevic - Wimbledon 2001

This journey truly had the most magical ending, he had lost three Wimbledon finals before, the third one in 98 had him breaking down in tears and being inconsolable for a very long time, as he felt he lost his final chance. 2001 comes along, and the charismatic player wasn't even in the top 100, but was given a wildcard in an attempt to bring in more audiences to outside courts for the earlier rounds. Goran went onto to change the script, in what has been considered the single greatest grand slam tournament ever played as a whole, he went through one of the most brutal draws possible for him and ended up winning back to back five set thrillers in the semis and finals....to win the title on the first ever Wimbledon final on Monday. A journey that that began a decade earlier finally ended in the most triumphant way possible.....he went from being the greatest player to never win a slam to Wimbledon champion and forever immortalized in sporting history.

Novak Djokovic - Olympics 2024

Just like his former coach, Goran, Novak's journey has been nothing short of one the most heroic sagas ever seen in the sport, and across all sports. He left the court in tears back in 2008, unable to make it to the gold medal match, but he kept going for it, more tears and heartbreak followed as for the next three Olympics, he was still unable to fight for the gold medal he so badly wanted. He never hid his feelings and the importance of what winning the Olympics meant for him, making himself vulnerable to the naysayers who were already using it to put a stain on his legacy. 2024, and Djokovic had not win a single title, not a single top ten win, he gets injured in June, throwing his participation into doubt, and then take a massive loss in the W final. Despite all the odds stacked against him, at 37, on his worst surface, he defeats his toughest challenge, makes his first gold medal match and become the first man to not only win the gold without dropping a set, but the first player, male or female to win every big title possible and complete tennis. The ultimate example of the unyielding will of the human spirit, Djokovic ascended to heights never before seen in this sport.

Djokovic's Olympic win was definitely the story of the year. One of the crowning moments of his career.

But nothing comes close to Wimbledon 2001. That's the best we'll ever get in this sport. I would love to see a Rocky-style movie made about Goran.

I'd put Djokovic's Olympic Gold in the same tier as Federer's AO17 and Agassi's RG99.

 

[metsman]

You either have to be a Djokovic fan over a tennis fan, put way too much stock into the Olympics, or not have been watching tennis in 2001 to even entertain Djokovic in this discussion.

 

[ND-13]

You either have to be a Djokovic fan over a tennis fan, put way too much stock into the Olympics, or not have been watching tennis in 2001 to even entertain Djokovic in this discussion.

Did tennis even exist before 2011 ??

 

[Galvermegs]

I voted for Djokovic, mainly for recency bias, and because a Golden Olympic Medal is harder to win.

Yes best of 3 sets, a doubles player in round 1, a hopelessly unfit rafa, and then chokers and finally alcaraz somehow playing well but not clutch. A really tough road.

Of course a medal is less easy to get due to frequency. But sampras dominating wimbledon was also pretty daunting for all comers.

If the recency bias means you havent seen ever or seen recently the actual 2001 wimbledon matches.. then too bad. That event is still one of the best of the century thus far.

 

[Galvermegs]

Djokovic's Olympic win was definitely the story of the year. One of the crowning moments of his career.

But nothing comes close to Wimbledon 2001. That's the best we'll ever get in this sport. I would love to see a Rocky-style movie made about Goran.

I'd put Djokovic's Olympic Gold in the same tier as Federer's AO17 and Agassi's RG99.

'Wimbledon' from 2004 did have several loose elements in common. The low ranked long shot. The impending retirement. The volatility. The head racquet. Even the ott father of the protagonist while not much like ivanisevic snr still was overexcited about his sons chances.

It was funny to have the lead character be british, and yet act nothing like henman etc and to be quick with the one liners and inner demon monologues like goran himself led us to believe.

At least i read that film that way. And even more fascinating was that mcenroe was promoting it subtly on the bbc in several trailers (with someone on the production side, now disgraced that i wont name). Agassi was teased as a last chance hero for wimbledon 2004 (he actually withdraw), but then another version had gorans name come up (his last official tour event).

They could do a much better film .. a sort of loose biography style with reconstructions rather than just played as drama or romcom like other efforts we have seen.

 

[djokovic the conqueror]

Djokovic's Olympic Gold medal.

He was still recovering from his knee surgery and had to overcome a 16 year age disadvantage. Djokovic turned back the clock and played one of the most clutch tennis during the tiebreaks.

 

[pirhaksar]

I will take Goran’s Wimby. Super thrilled for Novak realizing his lifelong goal but I don’t think OG carries much merit in the list of tennis must haves…and most certainly not in front of a Wimbledon third time lucky pursuit for Goran.

 

[Sudacafan]

Yes best of 3 sets, a doubles player in round 1, a hopelessly unfit rafa, and then chokers and finally alcaraz somehow playing well but not clutch. A really tough road.

Of course a medal is less easy to get due to frequency. But sampras dominating wimbledon was also pretty daunting for all comers.

If the recency bias means you havent seen ever or seen recently the actual 2001 wimbledon matches.. then too bad. That event is still one of the best of the century thus far.

Yes.

 

[NoleFam]

Ivanisevic came out of nowhere to take that and beat so many top guys in route. Most people had written him off and thought he missed his chance to win Wimbledon, and then that happened. It was pretty epic. His ranking had dropped and he had been out with injury I think. Wasn't he ranked like outside the top 100 or something? I remember that day and it carried over into a Monday. Because of how insane that was and him just catching lightning in a bottle like that, I will go with Goran. Djokovic's was awesome too, of course.

 

[KingCarlitos]

They both are different tales, One is about perseverence and doing what nobody thought you could and the other one was a story of ultimate achievement, Defying the bounds of physical human capabilities and completing tennis as a sport.

 

[Mustard]

LOL. Are you serious? Goran Ivanisevic winning Wimbledon as a wildcard and ranked 125 in the world, after failing to win Wimbledon (or any other major) in the past.

 

[Galvermegs]

Lets not forget goran won 2 bronze medals in the olympics very soon after his dissapointment at the hands of agassi at wimbledon. On clay and still best of 5. 2 medals in both singles and doubles is very impressive. Indeed goran has made several major finals in doubles.
It may seem he is the eternal bridesmaid, but he converted plenty of his finals into titles... just couldnt seem to deal with sampras, stich and a few other bad matchups.

 

[TheFifthSet]

Gotta be Ivanisevic.

Djokovic without a Gold Medal remains the consensus GOAT. Ivanisevic would have a hole in his heart if he never won Wimbledon. So many close shaves.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Deffo Ivanisevic. Even though he got lucky with the rain delays to recover 2-1 sets down against Henman in the 3-day semi-final, people were just happy for him to win the final after all his previous efforts. It was really 'written in the stars'.

 

[KingCarlitos]

Two of the greatest and most inspirational stories told in professional tennis, both with a script to rival anything in Hollywood, involving two of the most beloved tennis icons of the sport.

Goran Ivanisevic - Wimbledon 2001

This journey truly had the most magical ending, he had lost three Wimbledon finals before, the third one in 98 had him breaking down in tears and being inconsolable for a very long time, as he felt he lost his final chance. 2001 comes along, and the charismatic player wasn't even in the top 100, but was given a wildcard in an attempt to bring in more audiences to outside courts for the earlier rounds. Goran went onto to change the script, in what has been considered the single greatest grand slam tournament ever played as a whole, he went through one of the most brutal draws possible for him and ended up winning back to back five set thrillers in the semis and finals....to win the title on the first ever Wimbledon final on Monday. A journey that that began a decade earlier finally ended in the most triumphant way possible.....he went from being the greatest player to never win a slam to Wimbledon champion and forever immortalized in sporting history.

Novak Djokovic - Olympics 2024

Just like his former coach, Goran, Novak's journey has been nothing short of one the most heroic sagas ever seen in the sport, and across all sports. He left the court in tears back in 2008, unable to make it to the gold medal match, but he kept going for it, more tears and heartbreak followed as for the next three Olympics, he was still unable to fight for the gold medal he so badly wanted. He never hid his feelings and the importance of what winning the Olympics meant for him, making himself vulnerable to the naysayers who were already using it to put a stain on his legacy. 2024, and Djokovic had not win a single title, not a single top ten win, he gets injured in June, throwing his participation into doubt, and then take a massive loss in the W final. Despite all the odds stacked against him, at 37, on his worst surface, he defeats his toughest challenge, makes his first gold medal match and become the first man to not only win the gold without dropping a set, but the first player, male or female to win every big title possible and complete tennis. The ultimate example of the unyielding will of the human spirit, Djokovic ascended to heights never before seen in this sport.

Why does the Wimbledon trophy look so photoshopped lol?

 

[JasonZ]

I voted for Djokovic, mainly for recency bias, and because a Golden Olympic Medal is harder to win.

yeah, i think it is only recent bias that some people vote for djokovic.

 

[GoatNo1]

noles whole life. with nato bombing, training in the empty pool. discovered by the legend. parents who borrow from money sharks to afford him to play. always in shadows to 2 establishments darlings. always play in front of hostage audience. coming close to fulfilled his dreams but was ready to offer his whole career for principals. imprisoned, deported, banned and actually win it all and become the golden GOAT with some margin. taking the last peace after 16 years chase on his last shot.

 

[travlerajm]

I have to say W 2024 dubs was kinda fairy tale.

 

[KingCarlitos]

noles whole life. with nato bombing, training in the empty pool. discover by the legend. parents who borrow from money sharks to afford him to play. always in shadows to 2 establishments darlings. always play in front of hostage audience. coming close to fulfilled his dreams but was ready to offer his whole career for principals. imprisoned, deported, banned and actually win it all and become the golden GOAT with some margin. taking the last peace after 16 years chase on his last shot.

I agree, His whole career is a tale worthy of telling.

 

[GoatNo1]

Nadal AO 2022, The Miracle in Melbourne.

it is not for most asterisked title OP asked for

 

[NatF]

noles whole life. with nato bombing, training in the empty pool. discover by the legend. parents who borrow from money sharks to afford him to play. always in shadows to 2 establishments darlings. always play in front of hostage audience. coming close to fulfilled his dreams but was ready to offer his whole career for principals. imprisoned, deported, banned and actually win it all and become the golden GOAT with some margin. taking the last peace after 16 years chase on his last shot.

Cringe.

 

[Sudacafan]

yeah, i think it is only recent bias that some people vote for djokovic.

Yes, my 16-year recency bias was patiently built by watching how miserable Djokovic felt in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2021 when he failed to win it in those opportunities.

 

[RS]

Djokovic fans once again placing good importance on the Olympics. What does it tells us?

 

[Enceladus]

Nadal AO 2022, The Miracle in Melbourne.

This title has an asterisk due to the deportation of Djokovic, which was an unfair interference with the functioning of tennis.

 

[weakera]

The bloviating is so tiresome

 

[junior74]

I don't think it's a "fairytale" when the favourite, the guy who has been world #1 for years and years and won everything - twice - gets some extra glory.

Easily Goran, as I see it.

 

[messiahrobins]

This title has an asterisk due to the deportation of Djokovic, which was an unfair interference with the functioning of tennis.

Nadal beat the guy in the final who 5 months earlier obliterated Djokovic in the biggest hard court major final!! No asterisk at all, its Nadal who lost out as realistically the slam h2h should be 12-7 now.

 

[messiahrobins]

it is not for most asterisked title OP asked for

How is it asterisked? Or are Djokovics FO's all asterisked then?

 

[GoatNo1]

How is it asterisked? Or are Djokovics FO's all asterisked then?

why they should be? did some politically deported the biggest favorit from france when nole won them?

 

[ChrisRF]

Ivanisevic for me.

Because no matter if Djokovic is 37 and no matter if the next Olympics is only in 4 years, I still think Djokovic would more likely have another chance. For Ivanisevic it already was the one additional and unexpected "Now or REALLY never" moment.

And Djokovic was the favourite from the beginning of the tournament. If everything would go normal, only Alcaraz was seen as having a chance as well. Ivanisevic on the other hand needed several doors to open up for him, including Sampras and then Federer being eliminated in back-to-back rounds etc.

 

[messiahrobins]

why they should be? did some politically deported the biggest favorit from france when nole won them?

Djokovic didnt comply with a counties laws. While i agree with him, it was his choice. Cannot complain if you make a choice.
If you go down the asterisked route then benefitting from your closes rivals being out injured is asterisked.
I have said it many times, Djokovic fans are his own worse enemy. Its best to just stick with the numbers and leave it at that.
AO 2022 was the greatest story of all time. No question about it.

 

[GoatNo1]

Djokovic didnt comply with a counties laws. While i agree with him, it was his choice. Cannot complain if you make a choice.
If you go down the asterisked route then benefitting from your closes rivals being out injured is asterisked.
I have said it many times, Djokovic fans are his own worse enemy. Its best to just stick with the numbers and leave it at that.
AO 2022 was the greatest story of all time. No question about it.

All you wrote is wrong and a lie. Nole had a valid visa and exception. His deportation was goverments political decision. Injuries are a part of sport, political deportation is not. And nole won RG 21 beating rafa on the road to title.
It is pretty shameful to gloryfy such title.

 

[Galvermegs]

Ivanisevic for me.

Because no matter if Djokovic is 37 and no matter if the next Olympics is only in 4 years, I still think Djokovic would more likely have another chance. For Ivanisevic it already was the one additional and unexpected "Now or REALLY never" moment.

And Djokovic was the favourite from the beginning of the tournament. If everything would go normal, only Alcaraz was seen as having a chance as well. Ivanisevic on the other hand needed several doors to open up for him, including Sampras and then Federer being eliminated in back-to-back rounds etc.

I dont think the young federer was ready... would have probably lost to rafter if not goran first. He also was not fully fit after his long match with pete.

But sampras out of the way... of course. He owned mentally all the remaining major names in the draw if he somehow beat roger instead.

 

[Galvermegs]

Deffo Ivanisevic. Even though he got lucky with the rain delays to recover 2-1 sets down against Henman in the 3-day semi-final, people were just happy for him to win the final after all his previous efforts. It was really 'written in the stars'.

The first rain delay yes. The second didnt help either and henman already looked a bit shaky at times on the saturday as he played consistently but didnt get the big points going his way.

The final chance for henman was on sunday as he had 0-30. But 4 straight first serves were all too much for him. Somewhat similar to roddick not breaking federer in the 2009 final in that 5th set... despite being the 'better' player.

 

[ChrisRF]

I dont think the young federer was ready... would have probably lost to rafter if not goran first. He also wad not fully fit after his long match with pete.

I don't think Federer was ready to win the title either (as was actually shown in his match with Henman), but he matched up very well with Ivanisevic. He played him twice before on indoor courts and won all 4 sets without even needing a tiebreak. He always returned exceptionally well against servebots while still having problems in his early years against the more crafty kick-serve type of S&V players like Henman and Rafter.

So if Federer would have somehow won against Henman (he had his chances in every set if I remember correctly), I think he would have beaten Ivanisevic.

 

[Tennfan123]

Goran and by some way. He was a wildcard, had failed three times in the final and was at the last chance saloon.
Maybe if Djokovic had been ranked outside the top 20 and not won a slam for years, his OG run could be seen as a fairytale.