NEW YORK: Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, once one of tennis’ hottest talents before being engulfed by heartbreaking personal trauma, reached her first Grand Slam last-16 in 15 years yesterday, describing it as the best day of her life.
Now 32 years old, Lucic-Baroni had the world at her feet when she was a teenager.
In 1997, she made her US Open debut at just 15 and at the same age, she teamed with Martina Hingis to win the 1998 Australian Open women’s doubles.
In 1999, at 17, she went to the Wimbledon semi-finals where it took Steffi Graf to beat her.
But always in the background was tough, demanding father Marinko who, Lucic-Baroni later revealed, dished out regular beatings although he described them as “slaps” that were “best for the child”.
Eventually, in desperation, Mirjana, her mother Andelka and four siblings fled their Croatia home in the dead of night for the sanctuary of the United States of America.
The drama, however, put the brakes on a journey which should have led to fame and fortune as severe financial problems left her career in cold storage. Instead, Lucic-Baroni disappeared from professional tennis for most of the 2003-2010 period before slowly feeling her way back.
And after stunning world number two Simona Halep 7-6 (8/6), 6-2 to reach her first last-16 at a major since her 1999 Wimbledon run, she was overcome as she faced the media, breaking down in floods of tears.
“It’s been really hard. Sorry. After so many years to be here again, it’s incredible. I wanted this so bad,” said the German-born, 5ft 11in (1.81m) blonde.
“I feel like I’m born again. This is the best day of my life.”
“I feel goofy right now. I feel like I’m 15 now. I feel so excited. It’s crazy. I’m 32.”
Lucic-Baroni believes she has plenty of life lessons to pass on to today’s teenage generation.
“Coaches and agents and everybody wants more success always. Especially for young girls you still have to realize you’re a little kid and you still have to want to improve,” she said.
“But it’s important to be grounded. Grounded I think is the biggest importance.”
AFP
