Ivanisevic is Likely Candidate to Replace Prpic

Written by: Staff on 21st November 2011

Ivanisevic is Likely Candidate to Replace Prpic

Former champion Goran Ivanisevic on Centre Court for the men's semi finals of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 01 July 2011. EPA/KERIM OKTEN |

(Above: Goran Ivanisevic)

Like its equally successful Balkan neighbor Serbia, which has replaced its federation boss, Croatian Davis Cup tennis is undergoing a sifting of emphasis, marked by the surprise resignation of longtime captain Goran Prpic.

The former player from the 1990s era who always stood in the shadow of flamboyant 2001 Wimbledon winner Goran Ivanisevic stepped down for unknown reasons, with the national federation giving nothing away in the affair.

Prpic was in charge of the Davis Cup side for four years and also worked with the country’s women for more than a decade.

The exit leaves 2005 Davis champion Croatia searching for a skipper in time to pull together a team for the February 10-12 first-round Davis tie against Japan.

Smart thinking indicates that popular national tennis hero Ivanisevic will now step into the prestige post. The new captain will face the same limitations as did Prpic, who was unable to cal upon veteran Ivan Ljubicic – he has retired from Davis Cup – and must count on the intermittent form of available players including Marin Cilic and newcomer Ivan Dodig.

Ivanisevic holds the record for most Croatian doubles wins with a 13-5 record.

“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”

Topics: Goran Ivanisevic