Tennis: why the Federation offers the services of Ivan Ljubicic?

Jean-Baptiste Sarrazin 9:55 p.m., December 21, 2022, modified at 9:57 p.m., December 21, 2022

It is an appointment that could embody a revival in French tennis.

Ivan Ljubicic has been appointed as director of the “Ambition 2024” mission by Gilles Moretton, the current president of the French Tennis Federation.

An appointment which will aim to raise the level of French tennis which is currently going through a difficult period due to the performance of the players.

#Paris2024#JO#Tennis

The #FFT, in a program called "Ambitions 2024", calls on the former Croatian professional Ivan Ljubicic!

️ "It can only do good!"

According to our expert @BenoitMaylinpic.twitter.com/APllgqR0pz

– Europe 1 Sport (@Europe1Sport1) December 21, 2022

Exceptional guest of the 

program (every evening from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.), Gilles Moretton justified this choice: "The player has always attracted me because I like this culture of work, rigor, what we can learn from his career."

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Supervise over 14s

At 43, the Croatian will have the main task of supervising, from January 15, 2023, the high level of over 14s in France, girls and boys alike.

He will thus support Nicolas Escudé (DTN), as well as Paul-Henri Mathieu and Pauline Parmentier, in charge of the high level.

A choice made on the former coach of Federer (2016-2022) for his "hardworking" qualities.

The man was quite extraordinary both on and off the court with an attitude that was very professional, very humble, very respectful and very hardworking at the same time", explained Gilles Moretton in 

. 

Suffice to say that he was the perfect profile to revive French tennis: "we saw that he was someone very determined in his career. On young players he can bring us a lot", continued the president of the FFT .

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Lots of proposals

An agreement between the Federation and the former tennis player which took time to set up.

"First of all, it's a relationship of friendship that has existed for a few years. He came to play the Lyon tournament when I was organizing it. I told him we have a job that we started a year ago. and a half, since the start of my presidency and I think we need external resources", recalled Gilles Moretton in 

.

But nothing was done.

Because the former world number 3 is very coveted on the professional circuit.

"He had lots of proposals from other players on the circuit, from other Federations who called him. He was in the middle of thinking," explained the president of the FFT.

But it is ultimately on French tennis that Ivan Ljubicic has set his sights.

A challenge that promises to be thrilling for the one who managed to put Roger Federer back at the highest level while he was going through a difficult period. 

New year, new challenges… I am delighted to face this new challenge!

https://t.co/8jrlCbBgw0

— Ivan Ljubicic (@theljubicic) December 20, 2022

Ivan Ljbucic reacted on social networks explaining that he was "delighted to face this new challenge".