Goran Ivanišević vs. Patrick Rafter

About

The 2001 Wimbledon final between Goran Ivanišević and Patrick Rafter was a historic match, marking Ivanišević's first and only Grand Slam title. Ranked 125th in the world, Ivanišević entered the tournament as a wildcard, overcoming significant odds to claim victory. His journey was remarkable, given his previous experiences at Wimbledon, where he had lost three finals. Ivanišević's victory was also notable as he became the first wild card to win a major title. The match itself was a thrilling five-set contest, with Ivanišević ultimately defeating Rafter 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7. The final was played on "People's Monday," a day when Centre Court tickets were sold on a first-come basis due to rain delays. Rafter, a former US Open champion, was seeking his first Wimbledon title but ultimately fell short. Despite the loss, Rafter has expressed admiration for Ivanišević's achievement, acknowledging it was his destiny to win. The match is remembered for its intensity and Ivanišević's dramatic serve, which included 27 aces.