Rafael Nadal Can Break Roger Federer's Grand Slam Record: Ivanisevic

NDTV: You are the only player ever in the history of Wimbledon to have won the championship with a wildcard. How determined were you to win. Is that the best tennis you have played in your life?

Ivanisevic: I don't think it was the best tennis but it was very interesting tennis. I still don't know how I won. I had played badly, I was ranked 128 in the world, I was injured as well, It is great that I won. It was a Monday final, great atmosphere, probably the best atmosphere in the history of the final. Not the greatest tennis but the best atmosphere. I played a guy who is a great friend of mine, Patrick Rafter and luckily I won. (Nadal Slips to 5th in ATP Rankings)

NDTV: You have played and beaten the best in business. Who is the best opponent you have ever played?

Ivanisevic: (Pete) Sampras! He took a lot of years of my life by beating me twice in Wimbledon finals and other tournaments and he was a tough guy.

NDTV: Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer. Who is the greatest and why?

Ivanisevic: I love Rafa, he is a leftie and a great competitor but you have to go with Roger Federer, because he is one of the best of all time.

NDTV: Can Federer win one more Grand Slam?

Ivanisevic: I think so! Last year he played well, he didn't win a Grand Slam but he really played very good tennis. So you can never underestimate Federer. As soon as he steps on the court, you better beat him or otherwise he is not going to be easy on you and that's why I think he can still win a Grand Slam.

NDTV: Nadal has been struggling with injuries. Can he be the same force he once was. Can he break Federer's record?

Ivanisevic: I think he can do all what you just asked me. Rafa is a fighter and he is never going to give up. He will just fight and fight and if he believes he can do it then that's good enough for me.

NDTV: Your ward Marin Cilic won the US Open. How does it feel to win as a coach?

Ivanisevic: The way he played, it was perfect tennis. As a coach I am proud of him (Cilic). He proved it to the world and himself that how good a player he is.

NDTV: You have seen a bit of Indian tennis and especially with IPTL ... India have always done well in doubles, but can we expect a champion singles player someday?

Ivanisevic: Leander (Paes) and Mahesh (Bhupathi) did great things for Indian tennis. Before that, there were Vijay Amritraj and (Ramesh) Krishnan. So you did not produce the Top 10 or Top 5 but you had good tennis players. A country like India need a big tennis player and hopefully that is going to happen. But you need to be tougher. There is a lot of skill but the kids need to be tougher.

NDTV: And finally, not many people know that you also play a lot of football. How is that experience?

Ivanisevic: I love football, I am a football freak. All footballers love tennis and all tennis players love football. I am one of those tennis players who love football and it's just a lot of fun to watch and a lot of fun to play.