Ivan Ljubicic bows out of the Monte Carlo Masters and leaves the stage of men's professional tennis for the last time at the age of 33.
Ljubicic bids fans farewell —
Ivan Ljubicic bows out of the Monte Carlo Masters and leaves the stage of men's professional tennis for the last time at the age of 33.
ATP chief Brad Drewett (L) and director Zeljiko Franulovic present the Croatian with a special trophy and gift to mark his retirement from tennis. Drewett described Ljubicic as "a true gentleman and ever popular amongst his peers."
'A true gentleman' —
ATP chief Brad Drewett (L) and director Zeljiko Franulovic present the Croatian with a special trophy and gift to mark his retirement from tennis. Drewett described Ljubicic as "a true gentleman and ever popular amongst his peers."
Ljubicic and wife Aida (holding their son Leonardo) with Slavica Radic, a fellow Croatian who is the former spouse of Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone.
Famous friends —
Ljubicic and wife Aida (holding their son Leonardo) with Slavica Radic, a fellow Croatian who is the former spouse of Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone.
AFP/Getty Images
Ljubicic -- seen here giving tips to Rocco, the son of his coach Riccardo Piatti, at the 2008 French Open -- also has a daughter Zara, who was born in November 2011.
Family man —
Ljubicic -- seen here giving tips to Rocco, the son of his coach Riccardo Piatti, at the 2008 French Open -- also has a daughter Zara, who was born in November 2011.
Getty Images
Two seasons ago, a 31-year-old Ljubicic defied critics and age to triumph at the prestigious Indian Wells Masters tournment in California. The win made him the oldest first-time winner of an ATP Masters 1000 event.
Old master: Indian Wells champion —
Two seasons ago, a 31-year-old Ljubicic defied critics and age to triumph at the prestigious Indian Wells Masters tournment in California. The win made him the oldest first-time winner of an ATP Masters 1000 event.
Ljubicic reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 in the world in 2006 -- a year in which he won three ATP titles, including this one in Vienna. "I felt like I was No. 1 because at the time it was impossible to get to (Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal). It is something I am really proud of. I felt like the No. 1 of normal people," he said.
'No. 1 for normal people' —
Ljubicic reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 in the world in 2006 -- a year in which he won three ATP titles, including this one in Vienna. "I felt like I was No. 1 because at the time it was impossible to get to (Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal). It is something I am really proud of. I felt like the No. 1 of normal people," he said.
Croatia's team of (L-R) Mario Ancic, Goran Ivanisevic, Ljubicic, Ivo Karlovic hold the Davis Cup trophy aloft for the first and only time so far after defeating Slovakia 3-2 in Bratislava in 2005.
Croatia create Davis Cup history —
Croatia's team of (L-R) Mario Ancic, Goran Ivanisevic, Ljubicic, Ivo Karlovic hold the Davis Cup trophy aloft for the first and only time so far after defeating Slovakia 3-2 in Bratislava in 2005.
The victorious team parade a replica Davis Cup trophy in the main square in Zagreb.
Rapturous welcome in Zagreb —
The victorious team parade a replica Davis Cup trophy in the main square in Zagreb.
One of Ljubicic's finest moments on a tennis court came when he and Ancic secured a bronze medal for Croatia at the 2004 Athens Olympics in the men's doubles.
Celebrating Olympic bronze in Athens —
One of Ljubicic's finest moments on a tennis court came when he and Ancic secured a bronze medal for Croatia at the 2004 Athens Olympics in the men's doubles.