Wimbledon Memories: Goran's Golden Moment

For every tennis fan who believes that nothing could better the atmosphere and tension during the 2008 "Match of the Century" between Federer and Nadal, remind yourself of the last game when one Goran Ivanisevic served at 8-7 for the championship.

Believe me, no sporting moment is arguably worth recounting more.

Looking at a scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, even the most ardent of Goran's fans could have been forgiven for thinking that Rafter would seal the deal; the memories of his previous year's defeat to Sampras a lot harsher and fresher than Ivanisevic's three finals.

For Goran, the glass was less than half-empty. It was almost over.

His time had come and gone - those three finals spanning seven years now more than a distant memory - a harshly vague reminder that some people just don't have what it takes to be a Champion .

Ah! That most elusive of titles which tend to irrevocably define careers, legacies and histories.

Goran Ivanisevic might never  have it.

He would have come agonizingly close four times and fallen short. He would perhaps get over it by convincing himself that some things were never meant to be and that he still had a fulfilling career as a tennis pro. 

And then he remembered that saying - when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it . 

And he prayed for it.

And he willed it.

Serving for the championship at 8-7, Goran volleys a weak Rafter return off his second serve inches outside the baseline. It's a routine volley but the pressure makes it twice as hard.

0 -15 .

The pressure now telling on his worried face and the noise reaching a deafening crescendo, he shrugs his shoulders and serves again.Rafter returns a high backhand lob on his first serve which Goran chases back all the way to the baseline. Much to his relief it falls wide!

15 - 15 .

On crucial point number one, perhaps the greatest server of his generation hits his first serve into the net and not wanting to do it again, promptly hits his second serve a couple of feet wide! Double Fault!

15 - 30.

With broken rhythm on his famed serve, Goran slaps the first one into the net and hits a net cord on his second serve. Unperturbed by the prospect of another double fault, he aims down the T and executes perfectly! Second serve ace followed by his request for the same ball to serve next with!

30 - 30.

Knowing all he needs are two more points, a daring Goran tries to take his fate into his own hands. He goes down the T again and executes the ace perfectly. Rafter doesn't have a chance and Ivanisevic has a championship point! On his own serve!

40 - 30.

Now's the time. The moment has seemingly arrived, when a sportsman looks deep within himself and then searches long and hard for the champion hidden somewhere inside of him. Goran wants to do that. He wants that ace that will seal the deal forever and bring closure to his years of ruing missed chances. He asks for the same ball again, the crowd loves it and loves him.

He goes out wide for the ace and misses. The crowd scream in anticipation but it's short lived. It's a fault. Wanting to play it safe, Ivanisevic goes for a kick serve in the center of the service box. Unbelievably, he misses by three feet! It's deuce!

40 - 40.

His father can't bear to watch and neither can half the crowd. If Goran has his way, he probably wouldn't watch it either but he's in it. And he has  to win it.

He serves down the T again and Rafter slices a backhand return that barely touches the net. Another championship point!

Ad - 40.

First serve into the net again. Deep down inside, everyone knows what comes next. Smacked down the T, the ball hits the tape of the net and falls backward. Another double fault! Back to deuce. Does Goran not want this enough? Or maybe he wants it too bad. Nevertheless, he pulls up his socks and goes back to righting his wrong...

40 - 40.

First serve followed by a charge to the net where he volleys to Rafter's backhand. In horror, he watches as a slice goes sailing by him only to land just inches off the baseline. It's out! And it's followed by a silent prayer with a father-son-holy ghost action. God's playing games with him. He grimaces; some think it's a wry smile and a harbinger of what is to transpire next.

Ad - 40.

Another first serve and Goran charges to the net. He volleys it back deep to the Rafter backhand and then looks on helplessly as a picturesque lob sails over his head and lands well into the court. It's back to deuce and Ivanisevic seems destined never ever to win Wimbledon.

40 - 40.

First serve down the T and wide. Ivanisevic Sr. can't bear to watch so he puts his head down. Somewhere inside of him he manages to sneak a peek thinking that it might help his son. He's seen it all and he's living it. It's hurting and frustrating him just as much. Second serve down the T again and this time Rafter hits a backhand drive into the net; it seems a part of Rafter wants Goran to win too. In typical Goran style, he requests the same ball.

Ad - 40.

Goran goes for the ace out wide to Rafter's backhand and hits it wide. What he needs is an error, a miracle, a gift from God.

Five seconds later, he gets it.

A kick serve to the Rafter forehand and he sees the return hit the net, failing to cross over.

It's over, it's done and a new champion is crowned!

The tennis world will never forget that in 2001, a thirty year old veteran Croat wildcard by the name of Goran Ivanisevic completed one of the most storied fables in Wimbledon lore when he defeated repeat finalist Patrick Rafter in a cliff-hanger of a five setter. 

His story ended there. The fairy tale had been completed with a "happily ever after" and his ultimate dream as a tennis professional had been accomplished.

And the sight of a teary-eyed Ivanisevic scampering into the stands to his father, his eyes wide in disbelief continues to remain the most poignant moment in Wimbledon history.

Wimbledon is like that. It has this endearing ability to convert the unknown into the champion and turn heartbreak into eternal glory. In recent memory, it has been home to a pugnacious McEnroe, a gracious Edberg, a charismatic Becker and an ever-composed Sampras. 

And then it has been home to the most unexpected champion of them all. It doesn't matter what nationality you were that fateful day. It doesn't matter who you supported or who you wanted to win or lose. It just doesn't matter.

If, at the end of the day, the sight of a gracious Rafter, a stunned Goran and a disbelieving father didn't get you that lump-in-throat feeling then nothing will ever come close. 

Sampras has his seven and Federer might end up with as many or more. 

But that one solitary championship in the glorious summer of 2001 meant more to Goran Ivanisevic than it ever did to anyone. 

Somewhere in that twilight at SW19, the tennis Gods must have been smiling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PBPyrx8c8w