Years of patching his body together have inevitably taken their toll and the 32-year-old Croatian will bring down the curtain on his roller-coaster career at Wimbledon next week.

But the fact that he will even walk through the gates of the All England Club next Monday bears testament to his formidable belief and determination.

It is also a glimpse into the incredible love affair the hulking former champion has built up with the most prestigious tournament of all.

"Listen, Wimbledon means everything to me," he smiles, a scar the size of a large caterpillar standing proud on top of his serving shoulder.

"It is where everything began for me. I qualified there in 1988, that was the start of everything.

"I played three finals and two semi-finals and I thought `that's it'. Then I won it.

"Wimbledon...it took a lot of years from my life, but it gave me a lot, so we have a special relationship, me and Wimbledon."

Nothing exemplified that special relationships more than one magical fortnight in 2001.

Ivanisevic had turned up on the opening Monday of the tournament not on the strength of his once-formidable serve but by virtue of a begging letter.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP

A fortnight later the wildest of wildcards lay face down, trembling on the sport's most famous turf, sobbing and blinking through tears after a magical run had seen him turn that wildcard invitation into life membership of the pantheon of champions.

Three times a losing finalist at Wimbledon, the seasoned warhorse's unwavering belief in destiny carried him all the way to a surreal lunchtime final on the third Monday where he buried all his ghosts and re-wrote tennis history with a thrilling five-set victory over Pat Rafter.

A runner-up to Andre Agassi in 1992 and to Pete Sampras in 1994 and 1998, Ivanisevic had said from the start that it was his destiny to finally land the world's most prestigious tennis title.

"Never stop believing," he grins when reminded of those delirious days.

Ivanisevic has never been able to repeat that title due to injuries. This year he returns for the first time since his victory -- and it will be his last tournament, a final farewell to tennis.

"It's going to be tough when the last match is over, walking to the net and shaking hands, and that's it after 15 years," he smiles wistfully.

"No more professional tennis for me, so I don't know what kind of emotion is going to go through my head. It's going to be interesting to see."

Champion Roger Federer has the honour of opening play on Centre Court on Monday, but Ivanisevic hopes organisers may spare a thought for him in their scheduling.

"I am not the defending champion. Federer is the defending champion. I'm just undefeated since 2001, put it like that," he grins.

"It's going to be fun. I have a good relationship with the crowd and they really appreciate me.

"It would be nice to play on Centre Court. This is the most magic court I ever played on in my life, so that would be nice.

"If they don't (put me there), they don't. I just want to come to Wimbledon. I don't care what court I play. I want to walk out at this facility for the last time as a player."

Ivanisevic hopes he can give a good account of himself.

"My goal is to pass the first week. Then...who cares?" he shrugs.

"Next year I'm going to come as a member with a tie and drink the tea. But this is going to be my last professional match, and there's no better tournament than Wimbledon to end it."