Ivan Ljubicic: Big Serves and Big Smiles

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: March 22, 2010

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After a career filled with expectation and hard-work, good things came to Croatian Ivan Ljubicic over the week in Indian Wells, California. Let's reflect for a moment on the tremendous achievement of the racket wielding 31-year-old during his 12 days of play in Palm Springs. 

With the perennial favorites dusted before Sunday's final, the game's elder statesman used his mammoth serve and penetrating backhand to not only defeat three top 10 players (Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Roddick), but also capture the first Masters 1000 event of his career.

The road to Sunday's glory seemed like a far-fetched dream back in 2007. A then 28-year-old Ljubicic exited the top 10 for the first time since reaching the pinnacle of the sport in 2005. Reaching a career high of No. 3 in the world in May of 2006, Ljubicic found himself with a career changing decision.

He would be offered a substantial amount of money from Head to change racket manufactures from Babolat. Although his Babolat racket had provided him with stellar results and a career high ranking, Ljubicic was far more concerned with the security of a firm contract and the future of his family.

Taking the generous offer from Head, Ljubicic's ranking and results took a significant dip. Dropping to the No. 76 spot in the world last March, Ljubicic had endured a crisis of confidence, while deciding on his future in the game. Even though retirement wasn't a sensible alternative, losing in the early stages of Tour events became a mundane and tedious chore.

Capturing his first title in more than two years last fall in Lyon, France, Ljubicic began to rebound his level. Reentering the world's top 25 after his 11th career title, Ljubicic was guaranteed a respectable seeding at the Australian Open in January.

Continuing to post decent results throughout the early stages of 2010, Ljubicic, and the tennis world for that matter, were certainly not pre...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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