"How many roads must a man walk down, Before you call him a man?" goes the lyrics of one of Bob Dylan's famous songs titled 'Blowin in the Wind.' If one were to paraphrase that famous line from the song for former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic's chase for Wimbledon title, the lyrics would read "how many years must Goran wait, before you call him a champion?" The answer, in his case, would be 11 years. The retired Croatian player, who first reached Wimbledon final in 1990, only to lose in five sets against Andre Agassi, won the Wimbledon 2001 title under the most extraordinary circumstances. And for those 11 years, he breathed, lived and dreamt of winning Wimbledon despite multiple defeats and fought the biggest nemesis of a sports person: Self-doubt.

Having endured heartbreak, dejection, even contemplating retirement after being denied the Wimbledon trophy by two of the best players of his generation and all time greats, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, the Croatian never went through every possible emotion before finally winning the Wimbledon in the year 2001.

Goran first lost to Agassi in the final in a five set thriller in 1990. He was then defeated by Pete Sampras in the final of Wimbledon 1994. Finally, it seemed that Goran would taste success when he kept everyone on the edge of their seats in the 1998 final against who else, but Pete Sampras. But alas, Goran was denied again! He called the defeat, the "worst moment of his life."

Everybody must have thought that it's the end of Goran Ivanisevic's career and certainly his dream of winning the Wimbledon. But then, Goran was not the one to give up. And in a classic example of fortune favoring the brave, the Croatian received a wild card entry in the year 2001, when he was ranked the 125th player in the world. And what he did in the 2001 Wimbledon, apart from his wild and eccentric celebrations, is the stuff legends are made of. Watch the video below, to relish the magic of hope, that kept Goran Ivanisevic's dream of winning a Wimbledon alive. And made it come true!

Goran Ivanisevic retired in the year 2004. The year he won Wimbledon, 2001, was also the year when a little known Roger Federer beat Pete Sampras in the fourth round to announce himself to the world of Tennis. However, it was Goran's year, and will forever be remembered as one. "I don't care now if I ever win a match in my life again. Whatever I do in my life, wherever I go, I'm going to be always Wimbledon champion," said Goran after his victory. History has proven him to be correct.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2018 02:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).