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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
this was the time i liked ivan.. his serve motion, forehand, backhand.. everything were beautiful during his time.. he was no,4 at one point with big 4 and many amazing players behind him like davydenko, nalbandian, berdych etc...
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
Look at the way Rafa accelerates to his forehand side at 3:47 and whips it down the line, that shot is untouchable but he doesn’t have that speed anymore to do that 😔
If this was clay, Rafa would have won 6-0 6-1, Rafa forgot this is a different surface, and opponent can beat him on it, because the same topspin and loopy shots, don't work!
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.
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.
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.
@@littlegamer3187 eh he still did pretty well in that time period overall. 2013 was the year of injury for him, so that wasn’t a good season. 2010 was pretty good. AO Win and another WTF title. 2011- though no slams, still a pretty good season especially the RG 11 Semifinal and clinching another WTF title. 2012- really good. Wimbledon win that involved defeating Djokovic and Murray both in 4 sets. Olympics Silver and won a very epic match against del potro that was 4.5 hours and was 19-17 in the 3rd set.
Well, he hired him after 2016, and won AO2017- still though, no one can magically make you mentally stronger, if you don't believe yourself, or are willing to adapt, the biggest cock up, was at Wimbledon in 2019, Lubricic screwed up, big time, on strategy and serve, didn't prepare him well enough, for the finals.
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
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.
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 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 !
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.
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.
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..)
With all these wins, I'm surprised he didn't work on Federer's mental game, beating his 2 big rivals! It's the big moments, that count! Can he get Federer prepared, for a better season, in 2022- we shall see!
2010 was a bit of a strange year. From 2005 to 2009 was the era of Fede Nadal. And from 2011, the era of Djokovic and his team began. 2010 was the year in between. Rafa, at his peak at the time, was great, Novak was iffy, and Roger lacked consistency.
I remember this! This was probably Ljubicic's best career run at a tournament - his magnum opus!
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
Best take ^
For sure, some good classic, old school tennis. Something that is lacking nowadays. Wished he had better mouvements but still super all court tennis.
Ljubicic has a brilliant one-handed backhand coping with high balls.
He's better than tsitsipas
a big reason behind federer's backhand improvement in 2017
@@arijanpozder5572 yup
@@zarkoostojic9063 i think he just has natural upper body strength
@@chanjiewan6823 he is also very tall.
Lol he looks like he’s been teleported to this time from the 80’s
Beating Nadal in 2010 was in and of itself a Trophy worthy claim, that was his year, he was Unstoppanadal
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.
@@saidmiranda1989 Yeah, from when he was injured in 2009 people never knew if Nadal would come back to form until he dominated Monte Carlo in 2010.
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.
Monfils was the most talented player to never win a GS imo. I think he's an idiot though. He spent his time pushing and trying to entertain.
@@usefulidiot9896 totally agree, when monfils Lets that forehand fly instead of hooking it in with topspin…
@@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
along with Davydenko and David Ferrer
if you say talent you must not forget about rios
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 😒
Federer had much better footwork and faster reflexes than Ljubicic could ever have
@@mantaishere yes and ? I think you didnt get my answer
@@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
what i love about this clip is that it also shows a few good points from ivan's opponents as well. not one sided. pretty entertaining video
Never knew he was this skilful. It’s like the master teaching all the young students. No wonder Feds got him as coach.
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.
It's great that Federer hired him , and then won 3 GS ( AO 2017, Wimbledon 2017 and AO 2018).
Ljubicic casually serving 141 Mph rockets eleven years ago haha would've loved to see this guy win a GS
That Backhand 🤤🤤
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.
I´m not a djokovic fan so correct me if I´m mistaken but his serve has changed completely over the years
Neither am I but yes
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.
Ofcourse
2009-mid 10 was his worst
He had completely lost his serve and was struggling
Even since 2011 it has evolved quite a bit
Ivanisevic improved his serve
No not completely. Its still alike but much more effective and different indeed but same spin and stuff
Elegant player
The most deserved champion of a 1000 ATP.
#Ljubicic
👏🏼🏅🎾
this was the time i liked ivan.. his serve motion, forehand, backhand.. everything were beautiful during his time.. he was no,4 at one point with big 4 and many amazing players behind him like davydenko, nalbandian, berdych etc...
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
Look at the way Rafa accelerates to his forehand side at 3:47 and whips it down the line, that shot is untouchable but he doesn’t have that speed anymore to do that 😔
If this was clay, Rafa would have won 6-0 6-1, Rafa forgot this is a different surface, and opponent can beat him on it, because the same topspin and loopy shots, don't work!
Amazing Ljubicic!! huge tennis during that Indian Wells, totally deserved!
Djokovic's service motion back then was tragic.
Wasn’t it he must have changed it in the off season cause 2011 was a very dominant year for him
Indeed. It has improved so much though.
Wowser. That racquet drop. It took a pro 1-2 years to fix
I think that was when he was struggling with his serve while working with Todd Martin on it - forgot how different it looked during that stretch!
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.
7:03 reason why Federer hired Ljubicic
In 2017 AO that worked )))
He was only 31 at this tournament. Man, he seems a lot older.
Ljubicic has always looked in his forty’s even when he was 23.
@@saidmiranda1989 Yea, its not just that he's bald. His skin is pretty rough looking.
By that era's standards, he was way old.
31 was old then.
Then came the guys like Federer.
@@alani3992 Even Federer was already 29 back then, while Djokovic just started peaking
Ljubibic looks like he’s disguised as a senior citizen lol
One of my favorite title runs ever.
What a classy player!
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.
👍 🎾
Great at volleys yeah ..understated part of his game
Ljubicic is probably the Sergio busquets of tennis. Their games lack physicality but their understanding of the game is insane.
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.
Djokovic’s technique has changed so much over the years huh, also the courts look faster
Yeah the courts got slower after the early 2010's. Wish they kept the 2000's court speed, much more fun to watch IMO
backhand was so smooth - Also that serve was massive!
Moments very very special in carrer of Ljubicic
The Djokovic service motion :3
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.
This guy is a genius with his limited athleticism
Only limited factor here is your ability to use your brain
@@dkrawk8309 Did that hurt your feelings or something?
Ljubicic: Hits an amazing winner
Ljubicic (reacts): Ah, no big deal. In fact, I could’ve done better..
Ljubo were tennis professor in previous life...dontcha ever forget that😎
His parallel backhand was art.
Bravo Liubo, una brava persona e un grande campione.
Look at forehand's speed 😳😳
Apparently he changed to Continental Grip late in his career to do more damage on the forehand side. Pretty amazing...
I like Ljubicic backhand pure art
The best week of his life. The time Novak and Rafa became drinking buddies.
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.
Roger should have hired Ivan in 2012. He would have 25 slams by now if he did.
hindsight 2020
Paul annacone did a pretty bad job 2010-2013
Lol
No
@@littlegamer3187 eh he still did pretty well in that time period overall. 2013 was the year of injury for him, so that wasn’t a good season. 2010 was pretty good. AO Win and another WTF title. 2011- though no slams, still a pretty good season especially the RG 11 Semifinal and clinching another WTF title. 2012- really good. Wimbledon win that involved defeating Djokovic and Murray both in 4 sets. Olympics Silver and won a very epic match against del potro that was 4.5 hours and was 19-17 in the 3rd set.
Well, he hired him after 2016, and won AO2017- still though, no one can magically make you mentally stronger, if you don't believe yourself, or are willing to adapt, the biggest cock up, was at Wimbledon in 2019, Lubricic screwed up, big time, on strategy and serve, didn't prepare him well enough, for the finals.
Was Ivan already doing Mirka Vavrinek at the time ?
I know Ljubicic looks 50 but he was only 31 when this tournament took place 😃
I am croatian and I thought that he was like 40 when he won Indianapolis…he retired shortly after
Uncle Fester's biggest serve at 141 mph: 8:57
31? Was thinking it was amazing a 45 year old could win such an event
Hahaha I was thinking the same
I remember that match …
I remember Ljubicic had one year where he just went off on everyone and basically won the davis cup for his country single handedly.
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
Luka Tabak Mario Ancic
@@sashoksashok8108 yes. My bad
Why is Federer's coach playing?
Federer decided to send his coach out . It's the new power play in tennis
Roddick already in 2010 playing his clay court tennis further behind the baseline than Nadal.
Perfect coach to improve Roger's backhand, Ivan's one hander is one of the best in history.
This earned him the right to coach Federer...🤣
Well yes, but mentally he didn't seem to do a good job, did he?
@@pauljohnson6019 no coach can just magically make you better mentally,
Ljubo❤️❤️❤️
Good player
Wonderful!
What a backhand of Ljubicic
After this tournament, Federer decided nice this is my guy who takes care of my main rivals!
they were actually good friend longs before, since 2005 when Ljubicic had his breakout year and was playing multiple finals against Federer
What a backhand Ivan!
one of the best runs. Notice Djokovic improves his serve a lot. his service motion was ineffective back in the days
He had troubles with serve from the summer 2009 up to summer 2010
He had a very beauty and effective service technique back in 2007-2008
I remember I really wanted Andy to win that final, but then he won Miami, which made me feel a lot better.
Roddick could have won the sunshine double and no one remembers it :(
@@Alberto-ng2gs yea, i clearly remember it
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.
7:19 what a sweet moment. Sweet revange for Madrid 2005 where he lost against Nadal and hostile crowd. Ljubicic Master of Tennis.
Novak's serving motion is strikingly different
He had issues that time for an year working with Todd Martin
Ljubo je t’aime❤️
Damn he was good
I love when Djokovic fans call Roger weak era champ then you see a video like this and Nole lose to the "weak era" 🙂
Wow what an argument lol
Djokovic has to beat strong era champions like Berretini for his slams nowadays.
WEAK ERA!
@@mohammedpasha1715 yeah dude watch out with berretini he is a threat 🤣
@@reubenrodrigues7729 no mather what you say about Roger,the fact that every one consider him the goat will not be erased 🙂
Poor Monaco only gets a 15 secs lowlight in this almost 13 mins highlights, though he only lost in the decider. 😅
Ivan 💙
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.
His racquet seems like it weighed a ton. He must've had crazy upper body strength.
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 !
This onehand backhand😎
After seeing him play now coaching roger ,seems like i m seeing federer here ! Man the shots are same as federer ?! 😳
Nalbandian, Ferrer and Davydenko were phenomenal tennis players that never got a chance to win a GS!
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.
I thought Wawrinka's 2015 shorts were the worst, but now I remember the ones Rafa was wearing in 2010.
Pretty identical shorts
Too bad Rafa didn't win the tournament with those 🩳
Bilo je to davno.
Thanks for making my believe maybe I can do it do one day... I'm already balding...
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.
is the guy in the crowd at 8:10 Sinner's coach??
Wow, Djokovic's service motion has completely changed and looks nothing like this now.
He have a nice backhand
He lost here, but Roddick was something special, also
The courts were so much faster in comparison to Indian Wells 2022!
D Monaco? Or Juan Monaco? ;)
I feel like not enough people are talking about Nadal's shorts
He wore those type of shorts a lot in late 2009 and early 2010
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.
🤭
Ha. Strong Era my ass. Only strong he has faced are Nadal and Federer.
Oh I didn't get your sarcasm at first.
He also beats Roger multiple times. Is your boyfriend worse than liubjsomething and same level as monfils?
Don’t let such secrets out 🤫
He’s hands are almost straight while hitting forehand.. no wonder why it’s massive
Love Ljubicic!!!
Ljubicic knew tennis.
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..)
It serve was so much improved because of Goran how he can't be improved in serve one of the best server of all time
Nole's service motion is very different here
Ljubicic looked like a mid 40ies Guy around that time.
With all these wins, I'm surprised he didn't work on Federer's mental game, beating his 2 big rivals! It's the big moments, that count! Can he get Federer prepared, for a better season, in 2022- we shall see!
Ivan can certainly prepare Roger for his retirement
@@stephensun7909 Roger's not retiring, any time soon.
@@pauljohnson6019 move on buddy, he's done
2010 was a bit of a strange year.
From 2005 to 2009 was the era of Fede Nadal.
And from 2011, the era of Djokovic and his team began.
2010 was the year in between.
Rafa, at his peak at the time, was great, Novak was iffy, and Roger lacked consistency.
Mike the Cleaner
Backhand of ljubicic looks lethal sometimes .... N we all know y Djokovic lost to him don't we ?? How well his game evolved over the years ...