Ivanisevic wins over world press

Goran Ivanisevic, right, is kissed by his father, Srdjan, as he holds the men's singles trophy

LONDON, England (CNN) -- The Times newspaper calls it "one of the most emotional and astonishing triumphs" in Wimbledon's 115-year history.

It says Ivanisevic's "vulnerability filled the court ... his mess of superstitions are like a window on his soul. Every time he served an ace, he demanded that the successful ball be given straight back to him as if it contained good luck.

"And what other Wimbledon champion ever watched the Teletubbies to soothe his nerves on the morning of the biggest match of his life? The past fortnight has turned the world of tennis into Goran Ivanisevic's own personal Laa-Laa Land."

Under the headline "Ivanisevic Crashes Lawn Party", the Washington Post wrote: "The air over Wimbledon's Centre Court was so thick, so frothing with powder-keg energy … that just about anything could have ignited the frenzy, but Goran Ivanisevic kicking the net was certainly worthy flint.

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"As Ivanisevic railed and thrashed over a linesman's call, the boisterous crowd -- all the more rowdy for having slept outside to get tickets for this rain-delayed final -- absolutely erupted.

"The Australian fans screamed at the Croatian fans. The Croatian fans screamed at the umpire. Ivanisevic screamed at everyone."

The New York Times describes the game as a "Wimbledon final destined to become a folk tale."

"Hyperbole is part of Ivanisevic's personality. He loses hard, wins big. Once the Wimbledon title was his, he climbed into the players' box, hugged his father, Srdjan, then stood on the ledge to raise his arms in celebration. King of the world.

"Moments later, he was hoisting the polished winner's trophy on the Wimbledon lawn instead of the runner-up's plate. Now, Ivanisevic could drop the label of being the greatest player to have never won a major.

"He exhibited little control over his thoughts, words or actions at times during and after the match. In the fourth set, he came unraveled in his disgust. In celebration, he was unrestrained in his joy. But in the fifth set, he corralled his emotions at the perfect moment."

Britain's Sun newspaper described how "Wimbledon chiefs threw open the gates to 10,000 "real" tennis fans for the final.

"And they turned the Centre Court -- normally the domain of posh Brits who clap politely -- into a cauldron of sound."

The International Herald Tribune said: "It was a bit like the proletariat invading the summer palace. … The Centre Court was awash in colorful wigs, huge and often humorous banners ("Goran show us your tattoo") and inflatable kangaroos."

The newspaper describes how as the Croatian walked back on court after the fifth-set changeover at 8-7, "he made the sign of the cross on his chest, looked up to the ominously dark sky and prayed.

"After his 27th and final ace gave him his first championship point at 40-30, he asked for the same ball back , cradled it in both hands like a cherished infant, pulled up his socks, wiped a tear or two away and proceeded to serve a double fault.

"Three match points gone in his fourth and probably last final. Could tennis be this cruel? Could Ivanisevic really come this far against the odds and logic and lose his grip once more?

"Thankfully, for those who like their truth stranger than fiction, there would be another chance."

Britain's Guardian's newspaper reports that when Ivanisevic finally won the match, "greybeards around the press box who had presumed to have seen it all were seen wiping away tears. Few could recall such a breathtaking finale."