Goran Ivanisevic, the Split personality

On Saturday here, in one of the slow courts, it was felt that Ivanisevic, seeded behind Pete Sampras, would have a regulation match against Swede Magnus Norman, notwithstanding the fact that Norman had the capability of upsetting big names in the sport.

He swore and muttered unprintables at those near him, and the linesman in particular. Later, he even refused to attend the mandatory post-match press conference which cost him upwards of $1,000, Indeed, it would be astonishing to fathom what goes in his mind when he plays some tight five-setters. Like last year, when he lost to Jason Stoltenberg in the quarter-final in another five-setter, he said he played, “ stupid, stupid tennis.”

This time, however, he wasn’t around to say something on those lines. His father, who travels with him on Grand Slams, was as livid as ever, watching helplessly as his son defeated himself.

Last year, his father hit upon an idea to calm Goran’s nerves, and had a priest travelling with him. But, according to Goran, he merely talks to the priest on all matters. Apparently, this didn’t do him much good.

Again, last year, Ivanisevic led the ATP Tour with an all-time high of 1,477 aces in 96 matches, at an average of 15.4. But what purpose does it serve if he can’t win a couple of Grand Slam titles. Therein lies the problem.

Ivanisevic is not one who would play safe on his serve. Even when he is down matchpoint, he would go all out on his second serve. Yesterday, he created a new record in The Championships for the number of aces in a single match — 46 — but in the end crashed out with another load of unfulfilled dreams.It remains to be seen how well the Croat shapes up to the challenge ahead.

If he just had to play tennis, he would have been a great champion but then there are so many imponderables which go into the making of a great champion.