Goran to lead Croatian defence

Croatia’s 2006 Davis Cup defence is set to be captained by 2001 Wimbledon champion and national hero, Goran Ivanisevic.

Ivanisevic, who last played singles in 2004 in the round of 32 of Wimbledon against Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt, was due to meet the head of the Croatian Tennis Association for final talks on Wednesday.

His colourful career was cut short because of a shoulder injury to accompany years of elbow and right knee problems.

If finalised, Ivanisevic will be taking over from current captain Niki Pilic who led Croatia to its first ever Davis Cup triumph in their first ever final.

Pilic, with the backing of his players and the support of his country, named Ivanisevic in the four-man team to represent Croatia against the Slovak Republic in December’s final.

However, Ivanisevic has expressed that he will keep Pilic on to assist him in managing the team.

“As it seems, I’m likely to take over as the team captain from Pilic, who will stay on as my adviser,” Ivanisevic told daily newspaper Jutarnji List.

“I believe we will carry on with good results after this sensational triumph. It is now up to us to break with a tradition that Davis Cup winners almost regularly lose in the first round the following season,” the 34-year-old added.

In the lead-up to this year’s Davis Cup final, Pilic had suggested that Ivanisevic was destined to become Croatia’s Davis Cup captain.

Croatia begins their Davis Cup title defence against Austria on February 10.

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