Wow, I had forgotten everything I loved about Ljubicic's amazing game. His backhand a work of art, and an understanding of the game like few others, total master
Ljubicic and Nalbandian were some of the most talented players to never win a GS. Both when at their best beat any player on tour. Very intelligent players with the game to match. Its always nice to see a forward player beat a baseliner.
@@usefulidiot9896 he is, his tactic is the worst among all atp players, he play defensive 90% of the time despite the fact that he can hit some of the fastest winners
Nadal started his fantastic form at the clay season, not before. Still, it was a lovely victory for Ljubicic and a redemption for that final lost in Madrid in 2005 against Rafa, as the Croatian ended up lifting the trophy unexpectedly in Indian Wells.
this is why Federer hired Ljubicic as a coach a player with a slow footwork and a one-handed backhand that still managed to beat Djokovic and Nadal just imagine what Federer, who has much better footwork and faster reflex, could do with the same technique (no need to imagine, just look at what happened in 2017)
Well, federer had amazing footwork and reflexes most of his career I believe, not only in 2017, I think it is other part of the game that he was missing to make him even better
@@jonas8993 let me help clarify a bit, Ljubicic could defeat Djokovic and Nadal with slow footwork and reflex... so imagine how his technique could help Federer, who has better footwork and reflex, improve his game
No doubt. Ivan said once (in a time when Federer had matchpoint on clay against Nadal, I think it was in Rome, and still lost the match): "If I had match point against Nadal, I wouldn´t miss". Ivan and Federer are great friends, I´m sure his influence made Roger beat Nadal in 2017 and 2019. In those years Roger was fearless on his backhand.
As tragic as it was, he still won Dubaï, Basel, Beijing (3 ATP500), won the Davis Cup and made the Quarterfinals of all 4 slams (Including USO final) in 2010. lol. Then we know what happened.
Yes definitely, he really compacted the whole swing. His new technique compared to these times definitely seems more effortless and the repeatability just seems a lot better for him to be as clutch as we know him as.
Ivan’s balance, composure, and efficiency always impressed me. No wasted energy ever. Only Federer compared. Funny to see how seemingly terrible Djokovic’s serve and strokes looked in 2010 compared to now.
Lubic had a superb one handed back hand - one of the very best ; he coached Federer back into the Gs winners circle @ the Aus 2017/18 open . Feds backhand also suddenly improved 20% under his tutorlidge
Once on one major tournament, stuff stopped Ivan Ljubicic and told him the fans can't enter that room and then he told them that he is Ivan Ljubičić.. They didn't recongize him and he was once 3rd ranked player in the world.
One of my favourite players of all time Ivan Ljubicic 👍 🎾 Wasn't the fastest defender, but had good groundstrokes and volleys. His Serve was a beast (so good). Played with one of my favourite Rackets (Head extreme). A video of his best shots and atp moments would be nice to watch too. 👍 🎾
I remember this guy putting it together towards the tail end of his career. He shortened up the points, became more agressive, and won some tournaments. Sucks that we all have to get old. He was fun to watch.
Every minute of this highlights package I was thinking he would be an awesome coach. In the comments I learnt he was hired by the G.O.A.T to coach him. What a player Mr. LUBICIC.
Oh yes. I'm from Croatia and I remember that. Best davis cup player ever. He was monster that year in single and in double. He lost onky one match that year and defeated Brian brothers in America with Mario Ančić
Really deserved that trophy. Ivan was so many times so close to get that Masters Series / Masters 1000 trophy. In 2005, twice lost a 5th set tie-breaker to Nadal (Madrid) and Berdych (Paris). Then came a very close 3-setter against Federer, all lost in tie-breaks with a very lucky winner touching the net from Rog on match point. Andy, Novak and Nadal won these titles many times already. It was Ivan's time, at least for once.
Yea I remember watching Roddick in IW and Miami that year. I was happy to see that it looked like he was rebounding from the tough loss to Federer at Wimbledon. Then over the summer he got mono and that pretty much sealed his fate for the rest of his career.
I saw this match with joker and the final and he was amazing. Ivan had the blueprint to beat Nadal before Federer could even figure it out ! Without Ivan Federer would still be losing/struggling to Nadal !
Roddick was absolutely at the top of his game here as well. He'd go on to win Miami, also beating Nadal in the semis in what I think is his greatest non-Slam performance of his life.
I remember his 2005 season. Wiki tells me he won two ATP titles and was the runner-up at another six, losing to world No. 1 Roger Federer in three of them. Those were all closely lost finals like the one in Rotterdam which i watched 7-6 in the 3rd set.
there is some time you just can not do wrong, this was the time for Ivan, not trying to take anything away from him, he was not a bad player at all. i love to read a tell-it-all book from Roger to understand the thinking of bringing Ivan on board as a coach, and like to see what Roger believed Ivan could help him.
I remember Ivan being so frustrated by loosing to Federer, that he said during the ABN Amro in Rotterdam, that if he would win the tournaments everyone would receive a free drink of him.. (He lost..)
How can Djokovic loose to someone semi-pensioner from the weak era? I don't understand. He always win over strong-era players like Berettini, Monfils, Raonic and Zverev.
