By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net

JUNE 29, WIMBLEDON – If Goran Ivanisevic were a multiple Grand Slam winner, he wouldn't hold the title as the Clown Prince of tennis, but would be forced to show a more dour, serious side. No all-time great has ever produced the stream of knee-slapping one liners that Goran has over the years, not participated in self-deprecating skits like he did on the BBC the other night.

If Greg Rusedski were a multiple Slam winner, he wouldn't have an 0-8 record against Goran, nor have be kissing his national media's behind in an attempt to garner more crowd support. Not even the desperate Chelsea soccer team has stooped as low as Greg did the other day, when he said that London's ridiculous tabloids – who care for nothing but selling papers through crass sensationalism – are "very supportive of the British players and very supportive of me." Sure, when your winning and when your wife shows up courtside with the lead singer from the band, Texas. The two bazooka servers will meet in the fourth round. The winner could go on to his first Championships while the loser may never again play another major role here.

This is likely Goran's last Wimbledon – or maybe not, if his rotator cuff doesn't fall out of his shoulder by year's end. The lefty Croat is treating it like one big party, choosing to interview after interview rather than hole in his hotel room after a win. Two days ago, after he clubbed Carlos Moya, he didn't set his mind to analyzing how he would upend the dangerous Andy Roddick, but did a skit on the BBC that highlighted his split personality, where two Gore's sat side by side arguing and laughing at each other. It was a hilarious rift but Goran was even more humorous on Friday, unveiling a third side of himself. Three times a Wimbledon finalist, the 29-year-old Ivanisevic admitted that he froze on match point and his legs felt like they were going into quicksand.

Asked what the inner Goran was saying to the outer Goran, Ivanisevic said: "It was then they were both nervous. I said 'Guys, Guys…' One has to be under control but they were both going a little bit. One was rushing, the other was rushing even more. Then the third one came and said 'Guys, relax, it's a lovely court, relax, just calm down."' Third one had to come. I had to call him. He's the emergency one. Emergency 911 call and he came on deuce. Calm down, two aces, thank you."

Goran, who has been plagued by a shoulder injury the last two years and was forced to ask for a wild card too get in here, has reentered the servicing zone, crushing 41 aces against the young master blaster, Roddick, who joked that maybe he should concentrated better "watching the balls go by me." Ivanisevic has reached the final three times here but his best chance came in 1992, when he blew numerous chances in a five-set loss to Andre Agassi. Even though he can appear stiff on court, Goran has serious talent beyond his serve when he's in shape. He has a very decent volley and can paste winners from both wings from the baseline. His problem is his head because he fails to merge his multiple personalities when it's time to snare key points. "It's a fantastic effort to be Wimbledon champion but it's a different story to be Wimbledon champion," Rusedski said. "It's sets you apart. If you get to 10 finals but win one major, everybody remembers the one major you won rather than the 10 you lost."

The 125th ranked Goran promises to leave the club with his held head high. "The first day I came here (this year) I said, `I want to leave this place proud of myself,''' Ivanisevic said. "So far, I can't be prouder than I am. … Nobody gave me any chance. Nobody believed I could do it, but I did,. I think I can go a long way this time.''

After dismissing Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, Rusedski said he has a good chance of ending Goran's unbeaten streak against him. "It's great that Goran is back at Wimbledon and playing so well … but hopefully not on Monday," he said.

Yet for all his Union jack flag waving, the Canadian-born Rusedski has never been completely accepted here in merry old England and has never got past the quarters here. Goran joked about it today, when he said the Brits were sure to be rooting for "an Englishman? Hmmmm."

Greg is perhaps the most effective spin doctor on his own career in tennis history. He will say that last year was a disaster, but he hasn't explained why he got off to a decent start this year and then skidded for a good three months. All he'll offer is he's playing well and is a s relaxed as he's ever been. For someone with as many weapons as he has, that should signify three '01 titles. But Greg has only captured one. Yet he too says the Championships trophy is not out of the question. "I've probably never played so well here," said Rusedski.

If he is to beat Goran and go on too the title, he'll need to drop the phony smile and get mean. Is he capable of developing the cold, killer stare of Sampras. Maybe he should consult "the other Greg" – the Canadian one.