5 reasons why Goran Ivanisevic is the coolest of the 'legends' playing in the IPTL

Goran Ivanisevic was a true-blue maverick during his professional career, and he continues to strive for more action even after retiring from tennis 11 years ago. His involvement in the game, both as a coach and as a player, shows his dedication and passion which have been the foundations of his life as a tennis pro right from the beginning.The former world number 2 endured a roller-coaster ride in the 1990s and early 2000s, experiencing some monumental highs but also some crushing lows. He famously won the 2001 Wimbledon championship against Pat Rafter, but also struggled with his game sometimes - he actually retired twice during the phase of his career. Ivanisevic's three Wimbledon final losses before his 2001 triumph were thoroughly demoralizing, but he found plenty of success in ATP tournaments, winning 22 of them. He also featured in the victorious Davis Cup Team for Croatia in 2005.Ivanisevic has always been a crowd favourite, and things were no different in the inaugural season of the IPTL last year, where he earned some of the biggest cheers from the spectators.Here are 5 reasons why Ivanisevic is widely considered the 'coolest' legend currently playing in the IPTL:

#1 The oldest in the league at 44

Goran Ivanisevicwill be the oldest player in this years IPTL

Age, they say, is just a number. For a select few sportsmen around the world, this oldadage holds good, and Ivanisevic is no exception. Despite being 44 years old, thelegend displays the same passion and vigour as he did at the beginning of his career.

For a grueling sport such as tennis, playing at the old age of 44 seems a remarkableachievement. Yet, the Croatian is a bundle of energy on the court and still makes hisopponents sweat, like he used to in his heyday.

#2 Won Wimbledon as a wildcard

Ivanisevic with the Wimbledon title in 2001

Ivanisevic is the only tennis player in history to win Wimbledon as a wildcard entrant, afeat he achieved back in 2001. This win was also significant because it came after adecade of heartbreaking losses at the All-England club - it was the Croat's nirvana.

Ivanisevic held his nerve on the Centre Court on that eventful day in 2001, beatingPatrick Rafter 63, 36, 63, 26, 97 in a nerve-racking final. He was ranked 125th inthe world before the start of the tournamentbut rose to No. 16 rank after his incrediblewin.

Ivanisevic's Wimbledon heroics will always be a source of inspiration for people all overthe world, and his genuine, heartfelt celebration after match point endeared him to thefans even more.

#3 A serve and a swagger

Ivanisevic is best known for possessing a titanic serve that put the fear of God in hisopponents, and he also has the records to show for it. With more than 10,000 aces inhis career, Ivanisevic was easily the most effective server during his heyday, along withPete Sampras.

With his mammoth first delivery and blazing follow-up groundstrokes, Ivanisevicpersonified first-strike tennis to the fullest. He was a solid volleyer too, which meant thathis opponents were often left scrambling just to get a racquet on the ball when heIvanisevic was serving.

To add to that, the Croat always walked around with a swagger on the court, wearinghis heart on his sleeve and putting on an emotional display whenever he played amatch. Ivanisevic was the quintessential 'cool' tennis player, and his legion of fanswould readily attest to that.

#4 Reality TV star

Ivanisevic was part of the reality TV showMjenjacnica

Apart from his exploits on the tennis court, Ivanisevic made a brave appearance on aCroatian reality TV show Mjenjacnica (meaning Exchange Office). The show basicallyinvolved Ivanisevic exchanging jobs with a street cleaner, and doing everything that acleaner is required to do.

As part of his tasks, Ivanisevic had to wake up at 4 am and sweep the roads in Zagreb.He later admitted that it was the hardest work he ever had to do off the tennis court.

#5 A true-blue family man

Ivanisevic with his wifeTatjana Dragovic

Ivanisevic didn't have a lot of money when he was growing up, and his family's troubleswere compounded when his sister Srdjana was diagnosed with cancer. As heprogressed through the ranks as a junior and later on the senior circuit, the Ivanisevicfamily depended on his earnings to support them through their hardships.

Not once did the tall Croat complain though. If anything, he often mentioned how hisfamily made him stronger on the court, and how he always remained grounded despiteearning a lot of success on the tour.

After his retirement, Ivanisevic has been spending a lot of time with his family, and hehas never looked happier.