Role models needed for Irish tennis star – Ivanišević

Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanišević has said more role models are needed if Ireland wants to produce an international tennis athlete.

The country needs “infrastructure” and more varieties of tennis courts, he added.

“You need to have male and female tennis players to inspire the kids”, he said and added that Ireland is a “sporty country”.

The Croatian was speaking at Templeogue Tennis Club in Dublin where he hosted a masterclass.

Speaking to junior tennis players at the club, he said: “It’s an individual sport, you need to be focussed.

“Tennis is a sport where you are going to have ups and downs and you always have to believe in what you’re doing.

“You have to try even when it’s a bad day and practice,” Mr Ivanišević.

“Practice, listen to your coach and believe in yourself, for sure then you’ll get results,” he added.

Mr Ivanišević said he thinks the sport is “70% mental”.

“It’s a mental battle on court. That’s why the top guys are the best because they’re mentally stronger,” he said.

Junior tennis player Alanna Crean said she was “bit nervous but really excited” to meet Mr Ivanišević.

Fellow tennis player John McGarvey felt the same as Mr Ivanišević is a previous winner of Wimbledon.

He won the Grand Slam tournament in 2001 and said he still does not understand how he won that year.

“When I was supposed to win in 1992, I was absolute favourite against Andrew Agassi, I didn’t…I was a wild card, ranked 128th when I won, the atmosphere was amazing,” he said.

Last March, Mr Ivanišević parted ways with Novak Djokovic after six years as his coach and said he looks back at that time “fondly”.

“It was one of the greatest experiences, he’s the best tennis payer in the history of tennis and was a privilege and honour to be his coach,” he said.

Mr Ivanišević said “nothing in particular happened” and added “‘it was time to separate”.