Goran on his injuries in early '99
| Here is a Goran article from Danijel that was recently
printed in Vecernji List. ***PLEASE BE WARNED*** I took the liberty of correcting the spelling and grammar errors. Each change was made as to correct minor mistakes without affecting the basic meaning and content. I am just a frustrated English teacher at heart. And very anal when it comes to grammar... --Pamela ============================ GORAN IVANISEVIC McEnroe's help? Sure, why not! [don't ask me -- ed. note] written by Mario KUSS (vecernji list) Health problems did their job. Instead of being in St. Petersburg, Russia today, Goran Ivanisevic had to prolong his Zagreb stay due to an injured neck. (something like spasms in his neck or like stiff neck, well I'd say something [similar to the injury] that made him withdraw in that Agassi match in the final of Key Biscayne in 1996 -- Danijel) And before the hurt neck, he was troubled with back pain... "It all started in Doha, and continued in Melbourne. And then with the neck. But that has been taken care of now, with the help of Nebojaa Perunovic - Pancha. Nevertheless, with all my luck, soon I'll pick up some other injury as well..." said Ivanisevic ironically. QUESTION: Let's get back to Doha, the only tournament you played this year. Good performance, and then defeat vs. Schutller... GORAN: In the third set of that quarter-final match I suffered from pain in my back, but until then I played solidly. And Schutller was in great shape; he had his week. QUESTION: You withdrew from Australia, but surely have monitored the development of the Aussie Open? GORAN: I think that the result in Australia is not unexpected. Both Kafelnikov and Enqvist are always at the top. They are great players, and can beat anybody. Semi-finals of Haas and Lapentti? Grand Slam tournaments are always a special motivation, and surprises are always possible. Except, I guess, in Wimbledon. Such miracles are rare in London. QUESTION: The battle for the No.1 spot is closer and closer. Can Sampras for the record 7th time finish the season as THE number ONE? GORAN: Of course he can. He didn't play Australia, he had a good rest and will enter the season in full strength. But I think Kafelnikov has better chances. The Aussie title is good ground to build on. QUESTION: Last year's Australian Open winner Petr Korda was hugely attacked over this doping case. You are one of the biggest opponents of doping on the Tour. GORAN: These things had to be sanctioned. The biggest error was made by the leadership of the ATP Tour. A similar case in almost any other sport would mean an automatic ban for a year or two! And here you get away with it... When one anonymous Spaniard (Jose Pepe Imazu) was caught two years ago, he was immediately punished. Korda, probably only 'cos of his name, survived. But I am sure that the next in line will not. QUESTION: In the new rankings you slipped two places, and now are at 14. The loss of last year's Split points could drag you even further downwards. GORAN: That's true, but the fact is that after that there are no points to defend until Wimbledon. And there will be chances for climbing up. After Rotterdam I will play in London, and then there's the American Tour [focusing on Cincinatti of course -- ed. note], and then back to Europe. Umag? No, we didn't make any arrangements. Nothing. QUESTION: The famous Croatian fortune teller Vera Cudina has spoken to VECERNJI LIST and announced your conquest in the final of one Grand Slam Tournament. She probably means Wimbledon... GORAN : Everything is possible. In my present situation, that seems far away to me, but there will be time for reaching form. By Wimbledon I will be in shape. QUESTION: For reaching that goal, it might be helpful to have the volley instruction from John McEnroe, which he offered a few months ago? GORAN: Yeah, I got that message. The proposition is excellent and I accept it. Every advice from such a great player is precious. Maybe we will indeed realize that cooperation... and that's all folks.... |