Wimbledon 2026 marks 25 years since Goran Ivanišević's improbable run to the title as a wild card ranked world No. 125 — still the most unlikely Grand Slam triumph in tennis history. Here's what's relevant this year, both for Goran's current work on tour and for fans revisiting 2001.
Goran Ivanišević at Wimbledon 2026
This year, Goran Ivanišević heads into Wimbledon as coach to French rising star Arthur Fils, a partnership that began in February 2026 at the Qatar Open. It's the latest chapter in a coaching career that has included Marin Čilić, Novak Djokovic, Elena Rybakina, and Stefanos Tsitsipas — making Wimbledon a significant test for both player and coach as their partnership develops on the grass where Goran made his own history.
25 Years Since 2001
It has been a quarter-century since Ivanišević beat Pat Rafter 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7 in one of the most emotional finals in Wimbledon history, becoming the first and still only wild card to win a Grand Slam singles title. The anniversary has brought renewed attention to the match, with fans and media revisiting the "People's Monday" final and Ivanišević's improbable run from world No. 125.
Goran's Wimbledon Record
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 1992 | Runner-up (lost to Andre Agassi) |
| 1994 | Runner-up (lost to Pete Sampras) |
| 1998 | Runner-up (lost to Pete Sampras) |
| 2001 | Champion — defeated Pat Rafter as a wild card, world No. 125 |
| 2004 | Final Wimbledon appearance as a player, reached the fourth round |