Sometimes all it takes to part the clouds of self-doubt and let the rays of confidence shine through is for Novak Djokovic to lose at the Australian Open.
Djokovic does not have bad days, especially at the Australian Open. Since the beginning of the 2019 tournament, he had not lost a single match in the tournament (33 straight wins). He had lifted the trophy in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. (The reason 2022 is missing from this list is because he was deported from Australia at the peak of the pandemic for refusing to get vaccinated.) The 2024 tournament was looking like another Djoker victory till a certain Jannik Sinner decided to spoil the party.
It is rare to see Djokovic play poorly. It is rarer to see him get obliterated by the opposition.
I had been in a bit of a funk that week. The problem with being hyper confident (thanks, dad) and having solid self esteem (thanks, mom) is that an unforeseen bout of doubt can occasionally really floor me.
As the camera panned away from a dejected Djokovic to the crowd in attendance – I spotted his coach – a silver-haired man in his 50s and a former world #2. Rush’s Tom Sawyer instantly started playing in my head (do yourself a favor and listen to the song in the background as you read the rest of this email). As a teen, this man is who I wanted to be when I grew up. When people think of tennis in the 90s they think of Agassi and Sampras. Not me. I was not just an ordinary fan but a super fan of this left-handed, 6ft 4in tall Croatian. Think of the choicest expletives from your favorite language and say it loudly with me:
Goran <expletive 1> <expletive 2> <expletive 3> Ivanišević!
“Wait” – you say. “You like Ivanišević?” “Who is he? I have heard of Agassi and Sampras. Who is Goran?”
If you are not a tennis fan then you are forgiven, gentle reader. But if you profess even an iota of love for the game of tennis then your lack of knowledge about our lord and master Goran Ivanišević is anathema to me.
Which Ivanišević would you like to learn about today?
Goran of the thunderous and unplayable serve. In the 1996 season, the beast hit 1477 aces (the most in a single year). For almost two decades he had the most number of aces at Wimbledon. (A certain Mr Roger Federer broke that record in 2019.) He also hit 213 aces in the 2001 Wimbledon tournament on his way to the … (more on this in a bit).
Goran of the glorious fury. You never knew which Ivanišević was turning up on the court. There were days and sometimes even entire tournaments where he was his own worst enemy. His anger was seldom directed towards others (except for the aces he hit). There was only one true target for his fury – himself. Everyone else was competing with the player across the net. Goran was competing against himself.
Goran of the long hair that had a life of its own. A teacher once threatened to cut my shoulder-length hair in high school as it was against school rules. I fought back – “I will cut my hair when Ivanišević cuts his”. This was my one and only rebellion as a teenager. In my 40s, I still keep my hair long once every few years. It is my tribute to the great Goran.
Goran who lost 3 Wimbledon finals. 1992, 1994, 1998. Agassi, Sampras, Sampras.
Goran who defeated his demons. You are about to go under the knife for shoulder surgery. At 29, your tennis career is almost over and you have been written off by the experts. Once ranked #2 in the world you are currently ranked #125. You don’t even qualify for the 2001 Wimbledon. But the crowds love you. That serve still packs a punch. You are given a wildcard entry to the tournament. And that is when you decide to overcome your demons and perform a miracle on grass. No wildcard entry had ever won the Wimbledon (or has since then). You decide to create history. While hitting 213 aces you face and defeat: Carlos Moya (former world #1), Andy Roddick (future world #1), Marat Safin (at that point ranked world #3), Tim Henman (the great British hope) and finally, Pat Rafter (in his second consecutive Wimbledon final).
Goran who coaches the GOAT. So dominant has Djokovic been over the last few years – especially since 2019 when Ivanišević took over as his coach – that a loss like the one in the Australian Open semi-final is a true rarity. When Ivanišević did not win the ATP tennis coach of the year in 2023, Djokovic quipped: “Goran, I guess we need to win 4/4 Slams in order for you to maybe (just maybe) be considered coach of the year. Winning Year End #1, 3 GS [Grand Slams] and WTF [World Tour Finals] and making history of this sport is not enough, my dear coach.” ‘Nuff said!
Thinking about Goran Ivanišević is what helps me overcome doubt. I think everyone needs to find a Goran in their life. I am still trying to be like him.