Croatia’s Goran Ivanišević and Spain’s Conchita Martínez, each a Wimbledon champion and former world No. 2, among their many career accolades, have been elected to receive tennis’ ultimate honor in 2020 – induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
The new inductees will be celebrated tonight in a special ceremony in Rod Laver Arena at the Australian Open, joined by many other Hall of Fame tennis legends who will gather to welcome them for the first time to the Hall of Fame.
Since retiring from competition, both Ivanišević and Martínez have remained highly engaged in tennis, with both currently coaching top players who have advanced to the Australian Open quarterfinals this week. Ivanišević coaches current world No. 2 Novak Djokovic and Martínez coaches fellow Spaniard Garbiñe Muguruza.
Ivanišević will become Croatia’s first-ever Hall of Fame tennis player, while Martínez joins fellow legendary Spaniards including Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario, Manuel Santana, Manuel Orantes, and the late Andrés Gimeno and Manuel Alonso, among the tennis legends in the Hall of Fame.
In addition to their election by the Hall of Fame’s Official Voting Group, Ivanišević and Martínez also came in first and second place, respectively, in the Hall of Fame’s Fan Vote for the Class of 2020.
This week’s celebration in Melbourne is the first public announcement and celebration of the new inductees. They will be officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in a ceremony on the evening of Saturday, July 18, 2020 in Newport, Rhode Island, USA. Tickets for the ceremony are on sale now on tennisfame.com/enshrinement.
REACTION
“We are thrilled to welcome Goran Ivanišević and Conchita Martínez to the Hall of Fame. Between their accomplishments on court and the way they’ve represented themselves, their countries, and our sport, they are undoubtedly among the best of the best in tennis and are most deserving of tennis’ ultimate honor,” stated Stan Smith, president of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Class of 1987 Hall of Famer.
“This is a huge honor. I am proud and humbled to become the first ever Tennis Hall of Famer from Croatia. I am grateful to the committee for selecting me for this honor and so thankful to the fans who supported me in the Fan Vote and throughout my entire career, especially so many great fans in Croatia. I am honored and excited to become a Hall of Famer,” said Ivanišević.
Martínez stated, “Becoming a Hall of Famer is such a great honor. To be remembered as part of tennis history and among the greatest in our sport, so many of whom I have always admired, is really special and I’m grateful for this recognition.”
Croatia’s Goran Ivanišević’s serve-and-volley style of play led him to great success on the grass courts of Wimbledon where he was a quarterfinalist once, semifinalist twice, and finalist three times, before winning the title in 2001. That year, ranked world No. 125, the big-serving lefty was granted a wildcard into the tournament. In a magical run to the trophy he knocked out three players who were former or future world No. 1s en route to a five-set battle with Patrick Rafter in the final. Ivanišević is a two-time Olympic medalist, having won a singles bronze and doubles bronze, both in 1992.
In her 15-year career on the WTA Tour, Conchita Martínez won 33 singles titles and 13 doubles titles. She was the 1994 Wimbledon champion, defeating nine-time champion Martina Navratilova in the final. She was also a finalist at the Australian Open and French Open. Martínez reached a career high of world No. 2 and spent 190 weeks ranked inside the world top 5. The Spanish great represented her country with much dedication and success. She was a key member of five championship Fed Cup teams and a three-time Olympic medalist in doubles.
In becoming Hall of Famers, Ivanišević and Martínez join an elite group of just over 250 individuals hailing from 27 nations who have received the honor, which recognizes their careers as being among the most accomplished and impactful in the history of tennis. Both are being inducted in the Player Category. This is not a year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame’s other two categories – Contributor and Wheelchair.
The Class of 2020 will be officially inducted on July 18 during Hall of Fame Weekend at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.
Tickets for the ceremony are on sale now on tennisfame.com/enshrinement.
