Željko Krajan
Encyclopedia
Željko Krajan (ˈʒeːʎkɔ ˈkrajan) (born February 3, 1979) is a Croatia
n tennis coach and former professional tennis player.
Krajan, a native of Varaždin
, began playing tennis at age six. His greatest success as a junior player was winning the Orange Bowl
doubles tournament with Ivan Ljubičić
in 1995.
Krajan started his pro career at the ATP Tour in 1997. His highest ATP ranking was No. 88 in August 2002. In 2003 Krajan was sidelined following a shoulder surgery. In 2004 he suffered a serious quadriceps tear, which ultimately caused his retirement from professional tennis in 2005.
From 2005 on, Krajan turned to coaching, at first working with Saša Tuksar, a young Croatian tennis player, and then with German junior players as Heinz Günthardt
's assistant coach. In 2006 and 2007 he played in the German Regionalliga Süd-Ost for TC Ismaning. In October 2007, upon recommendation by Ivan Ljubičić
, he became the coach of Dinara Safina
, who was at the time at a psychological low point of her career, ranked No. 17 in the world, and close to retiring from tennis. Under Krajan's lead, Safina scored good results in the early 2008 season and placed runner-up in the 2008 French Open
. After the 2008 French Open, Krajan was joined by Dejan Vojnović
, retired Croatian Olympic sprinter, who became Safina's fitness coach. Her continued string of good results earned her the 2008 WTA Most Improved Player award, and the World No. 1 spot in April 2009.
Safina described Krajan as "totally different from any other tennis coach" due to his patience and positive approach, as opposed to preoccupation with correcting flaws in one's game.
Safina and Krajan parted ways in May 2010.
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
n tennis coach and former professional tennis player.
Krajan, a native of Varaždin
Varaždin
Varaždin is a city in north Croatia, north of Zagreb on the highway A4. The total population is 47,055, with 38,746 on of the city settlement itself . The centre of Varaždin county is located near the Drava river, at...
, began playing tennis at age six. His greatest success as a junior player was winning the Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl (tennis)
The Orange Bowl is an annual college football bowl game. Orange Bowl may also refer to:* Miami Orange Bowl, a demolished stadium formerly in Miami, Florida* One of two tennis tournaments, one for juniors and the other for youth...
doubles tournament with Ivan Ljubičić
Ivan Ljubicic
----Ivan Ljubičić is a Croatian tennis player born in Bosnia and Herzegovina . His career-high ATP ranking to date has been no. 3, and he stands at no. 37....
in 1995.
Krajan started his pro career at the ATP Tour in 1997. His highest ATP ranking was No. 88 in August 2002. In 2003 Krajan was sidelined following a shoulder surgery. In 2004 he suffered a serious quadriceps tear, which ultimately caused his retirement from professional tennis in 2005.
From 2005 on, Krajan turned to coaching, at first working with Saša Tuksar, a young Croatian tennis player, and then with German junior players as Heinz Günthardt
Heinz Günthardt
Heinz Peter Günthardt is a former tennis player from Switzerland, who won five singles titles during his professional career, including the Rotterdam WCT in 1980....
's assistant coach. In 2006 and 2007 he played in the German Regionalliga Süd-Ost for TC Ismaning. In October 2007, upon recommendation by Ivan Ljubičić
Ivan Ljubicic
----Ivan Ljubičić is a Croatian tennis player born in Bosnia and Herzegovina . His career-high ATP ranking to date has been no. 3, and he stands at no. 37....
, he became the coach of Dinara Safina
Dinara Safina
Dinara Mikhailovna Safina , born April 27, 1986 in Moscow, is a Russian professional tennis player of Tatar background. Safina's career high ranking is World No. 1....
, who was at the time at a psychological low point of her career, ranked No. 17 in the world, and close to retiring from tennis. Under Krajan's lead, Safina scored good results in the early 2008 season and placed runner-up in the 2008 French Open
2008 French Open - Women's Singles
Justine Henin was the defending champion, but retired from the sport on May 14, 2008.Ana Ivanović won in the final 6–4, 6–3, against Dinara Safina. This is Ivanovic's Third Grand Slam Final, Second French Open Final, and her First Grand Slam Singles Title...
. After the 2008 French Open, Krajan was joined by Dejan Vojnović
Dejan Vojnović
Dejan Vojnović is a retired Croatian sportsperson. He started his career as a sprinter specializing in the 100 metres run, and competed at the 2000 Olympic Games. Some years later he took up bobsleigh, participating in the 2006 Olympic Games...
, retired Croatian Olympic sprinter, who became Safina's fitness coach. Her continued string of good results earned her the 2008 WTA Most Improved Player award, and the World No. 1 spot in April 2009.
Safina described Krajan as "totally different from any other tennis coach" due to his patience and positive approach, as opposed to preoccupation with correcting flaws in one's game.
Safina and Krajan parted ways in May 2010.