January 28, 2020 - Former World No. 2 tennis player Goran Ivanisevic will be inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2020 on July 18 this year.
24 Sata reports that the legendary Split tennis player Goran Ivanisevic, 48, will become the first Croatian to be admitted to the Hall of Fame, the organization announced on Monday.
“This is a great honor. I am proud and humbled to become the first Croatian in the Hall of Fame. I am grateful to the committee for choosing me as well as the fans who voted for me in the poll, but also those who have supported me throughout my career, especially the many fans in Croatia. I am honored and excited to be a Hall of Famer,” said Ivanisevic.
Ivanisevic played 599 ATP tour matches from 1991 to 2004 and won 22 titles. The whole tennis world remembers Ivanisevic winning Wimbledon in 2001 against Patrick Rafter as the 125th player in the world, and as a wildcard entry, in his fourth attempt in the final. Recall, Goran had lost in 1992, 1994, and 1998.
Ivanisevic is also a two-time 1992 Olympic bronze medalist (in singles and doubles with Goran Prpic). With him, Spanish tennis player Conchita Martínez (47), the Wimbledon winner of 1994, will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.
The @TennisHalloFame has announced that former World No. 2 & #Wimbledon champion ?? Goran Ivanisevic will be inducted as part of its Class of 2020.
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 28, 2020
Goran is the first Croatian to receive this honour. @wildcard2001
“We are thrilled to welcome Goran Ivanisevic and Conchita Martínez to the Hall of Fame,” Smith said. “Between their accomplishments on court and the way they’ve represented themselves, their countries, and our sport, they are undoubtedly among the best of the best in tennis and are most deserving of tennis’ ultimate honor,” said International Hall of Fame President Stan Smith.
Ivanisevic is currently a part of 16-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic’s coaching team. The Croatian joined Djokovic's team last year before Wimbledon.
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