Mario Ancic

[fanancic]

Poor Mario...it is very long without him... I hope he will come back soon... maybe in Roland Garros but probably only for wimbledon... poor guy...

a recent photo... mario was playing an exhibition in Croatia with his sister Sanja... He seems in better form...

[fanancic]

The official statement of Mario pulling out of Roland Garros:

PARIS (AP) -- Top-20 player Mario Ancic pulled out of the French Open on Wednesday because he's still recovering from a case of mononucleosis that's sidelined him for more than two months.

"I am obviously disappointed to miss the French Open. The Grand Slams are the big tournaments we aim to do well in," Ancic said in a statement released by his agent.

"Having said that, on a more positive note, I had tests done earlier this week and everything came back 100 percent clean. The doctors have given me the green light to start training and practicing again."

The Croatian, once ranked as high as No. 7 and currently No. 16, hasn't played since stopping during the first set of a match at Marseille in February.

Ancic probably is best known as the last player to beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon, upsetting the Swiss star in the first round there in 2002. Ancic reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 2005, his best showing at a major, and made the quarterfinals at the All England Club and the French Open last year.

"I obviously will be very cautious and not rush back, but I am looking forward to getting back on the court and hope to play on the grass," Ancic said

[Annie]

Get well soon Baby Mario, we miss you

[Steph]

Omg Mario is DEFINITELY my second fav player, he lost in Cincy, I hope he gets back to playing good soon!!

[davis]

Finding Heart: Mario Ancic puts mono behind him
By Bill Scott

STOCKHOLM—Mario Ancic had never thought having a big heart was a problem until eight months ago, when a serious health scare had him fearing his career could be over.

Going into February, the 22-year-old Croatian was riding his best ranking of ninth and looking forward to a solid season after reachign the fourth round of the Australian Open and winning the title in St Petersburg the previous fall.

But a debilitating bout of mononucleosis stopped the former Wimbledon semifinalist in his tracks the following weekend as he travelled to Krefeld, Germany for a Davis Cup tie. Doctors discovered the mono had caused his heart to temporarily enlarge.

Peace of mind was hard to come by after receiving the chilling news that had he played a second Davis Cup match in his fragile state, he might never have been able to compete again at the top level. A return in August was then cut short by a shoulder injury.

"They told me I had an enlarged heart from playing with the virus," Ancic explained as he reattempted his comeback in Stockholm last week. "It could have been the last match of my career.

"Thank God I stopped playing [the next week] in Marseille and got treatment, I'd felt sick for a few weeks."

Recuperation in Croatia was far from relaxing as the world-class athlete was reduced to a near-invalid state while his battered body slowly healed. "I was in bed for weeks, until at least the early summer," he explained, and was beset by real worries about his future on court. "I was concerned that my career could be over.

"When I tried to walk I could only manage for 20 minutes, I had to start everything from the beginning," he recalled. "I'd try to run and really couldn't, it was a long, long process back. I had to start from zero after lying in bed with a fever."

After slowly trying to pick up his physical pace once doctors gave him the all-clear, he gradually regained his strength and began to consider a comeback.

But that scenario was derailed before the US Open as he won matches in Montreal and Cincinnati before the shoulder problem sent him back off court for an additional six weeks.

Healthy once again - but consulting strictly with his doctors on a regular basis - Ancic is reveling in his fresh chance.

"I missed the game so much, this is my second career," he said. "I'm still in a comeback. My shoulder is fine now, but I'm not yet back into the tennis routine. I can't yet train the way that I want. But every match I play is a bonus for me, I just want to try and finish the year with some wins, that's my only goal."

The Croatian added: "It's a tough period behind me, but it's behind me now. I believe in myself and I know I can play top tennis again. I'm glad to be over this career-threatening illness."

Ancic is not planning on any miracles for the remainder of 2007, content to slowly work his way back into form as his fitness permits.

The Injury List
April 2006 – Back injury
July - September 2006 – Knee injured during a jet skiing accident, back injury
February - August 2007 – Mononucleosis, enlarged heart
August - October 2007 – Shoulder injury

GO MARIO!!! Good luck for the rest of the season!

[syaz]

thank god hes back and healthy. been missing him play much. GO GO GO mario!

[jenhatter06]

comes back to beat PHM 1st round Paris Masters 46 62 63

woot woot Mario!

next up: Berdych (2nd on after 8pm)

[davis]

YESYESYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After yet another injury at the beginning 2008, Mario won his first ATP match of 2008 against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 75 76! ;D ;D ;D

Inspired game by the Croat. His service was impenetrable, his return game needs some refreshing - but it was enough to kick Jo's butt. ;D

Ajmo Mario!!!!!!!!

[Dina]

bambiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[davis]

And he did it again ;D ;D ;D



Mario beat Gabashvili 62 63 and reached the Marseilles Quarterfinals!!

He will meet Robin Soderling who kicked out Richie today

Come on, Bambi, let Soderling suffer for it, LMAO!

[davis]

...and he's through to the SEMIS!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

Mario beat Robin Soderling 63 67 62. Next up: Baggy or Youzhny

After more than a year of various injures, Mario fell to No. 135 in the rankings. But with this phenomenal comeback, he'll climb the ranks fast! Marat, watch and learn...

[davis]

Final, Babay!!! ;D



Hadn't realized I missed Bambi that much. Perfect comeback! I'm looking forward to seeing him in the Top 10 again - he sure plays like it!

Mucho luck against Murray tomorrow (who himself plays extremely well). Give him a good fight, Mario!

[jenhatter06]

YaY Mario!!

[helloticky]

let's go super Mario ;D

[davis]

He gave a hell of a fight but he lost steam in the end - Mario lost to Andy Murray 63 64

It was an exciting match with unbelievable ball exchanges - the result doesn't do it justice! Mary would've liked Mario today - he played serve and volley to perfection

Well done Mario, and welcome back in the Top 100! The only way is up, baby! ;D

Marseille got artsy :


And from the ceremony:



Jeeez, Andy, cut that mop!!!!!