Medal Memory: Goran Ivanisevic

Goran Ivanisevic looks back on winning bronze in both the men's singles and doubles events at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics

For me, back then in 1992, playing in the Olympics was very important, because it was the first time Croatia was in the Olympics as a country. I carried the flag for my country, and the country was having a very bad time with war. It was very important to be there and to win a medal. I won a medal in singles and one in doubles.

It was the slowest clay ever. It was so hot, but I managed to win two medals. Good times – I was very proud. When you get on the stage to get your medal, it doesn’t matter what colour it is – of course it would have been nice to win gold - but it was a proud moment.

There was no third and fourth place match, it was nice to be on the podium to get the medal – it’s very different. For tennis players, the most important things are Grand Slams, but the Olympics is different, both as an experience and as an emotion. It’s one of the proudest moments in my sports career.

I landed at 1am and there was nobody waiting. There was still a war, and a bad time in Croatia. I had to go to my next tournament, which was part of the American circuit. There was no celebration – nothing really changed when I won the medal.

I have both of my medals at home. My son plays tennis and he’s going to get them when he’s older.

Playing in Seoul was my first Olympics – it was for a different country, Yugoslavia, and I was a young boy – only 17. Nineteen ninety-two was the biggest one for me – the first one for Croatia. When you go in the stadium [for the opening ceremony], and millions of people are watching, it was a very proud time.

I always stayed in the Village, and that’s the best part – meeting other sportsmen, seeing them in the queue for food, people from other countries. Staying in a hotel during the Olympic Games would be like any other tournament – it’s not the Olympics, and no fun. Staying in the Village, doesn’t matter how far away it is, is a vital part of the Games experience. There’s always something happening, and it’s a fun part of the Games. I met a lot of interesting people, and I recommend all athletes stay in the Village to get the full experience.

Champions of Olympic Games are not always the top players. You sometimes get some unexpected winners, so it’s tough to predict. The atmosphere is different when you play for your country. You have to go with the favourites, but anything is possible. Federer is missing the Olympic gold – he’s won everything else there is to win, so if he wins he can retire!