Tennis Magazine - September 1998

by David Higdon

In July, Goran Ivanisevic reached the finals at Wimbledon for the third
time in his career (losing to Sampras). While he has yet to win a Grand
Slam, his run at Wimbledon signaled to the world that he is back.
Ivanisevic had been in a slump, finishing outside the Top 10 in 1997 for
the first time since 1991.

Q. Where have you been the last two years?

A. My name was here, but I don't know where I was. this year, the way I
played Wimbledon, the way I have kept my focus, the way I was thining, has
really been a big step forward in my tennis career.

Q. Breaking your finger (in May 1997) couldn't have helped. How did it
happen?

A. Only I could break my finger this way. I went home, but I forgot what
I went home for. So I went [back] out to the car, then I remembered what I
came for. So I went back in but I closed the car door on my finger. I
smashed it and broke a couple of bones.

Q. Did it hurt?

A. No, it was very nice. I'm going to do it again.

Q. What is your favourite word in the English language?

A. F**k

Q. What's the first word that comes to mind when I say the name Pete
Sampras?

A. Great champion.

Q. Marcelo Rios?

A. Weird guy

Q. Goran Ivanisevic?

A. Strange guy

Q. What do you think of the phrase: The best active player to have never
won a Grand Slam?

A. that hurts

Q. Would you prefer 1999 Wimbledon champion?

A. Oh yeah. But only if I beat Sampras in the final