Wimbledon: Goran - One match and I'd retire happy

Goran Ivanisevic will gladly pack away his rackets for good if he wins a first Wimbledon title at the fourth attempt.

And final opponent Pat Rafter could well do the same if he adds the Wimbledon crown to his two US Open victories.

Both players have waged long battles against injury, Ivanisevic putting off a shoulder operation even though he suffers pain every time he serves.

Rafter meanwhile is battling with an elbow problem and has long hinted that he will retire at the end of the season, come what may.

"If some angel comes in my dreams and says 'OK Goran, you're going to win Wimbledon but you are not able to touch the racket ever again in your life,' I say 'OK I rather take that and then never play tennis again in my life," Ivanisevic said after ending Tim Henman's dream of becoming the first British finalist since 1938.

"It means everything to me. If somebody one month ago told me, 'Here is the paper to sign that you are going to be in the final of Wimbledon but you have to lose,' I say 'Give me the paper and I will sign.'

"But you know I don't want to get another plate, I already have three plates. That would kill me."

"This is my destiny," added Ivanisevic, who is the first wild card to reach a Grand Slam final.

"This is God wanting me to win this year."

"I think only because of Him I'm in the final. He just gave me another chance.

"He say 'Man you were so annoying always asking for another so OK I give you another chance. We see can you do it or not."

Ivanisevic admitted that he was in deep trouble on Friday night when Henman led 2-1 in the fourth set and conceded he probably would have lost.

But he came through a fourth set tie-break on Saturday to level the match and held his nerve yesterday to seal an amazing win.

"If somebody told me that two months ago I would tell him 'Man you're crazy, you're not normal.' Now I'm in the final," added the 29-year-old who lost to Agassi in the final in 1992 and Sampras in 1994 and 1998.

"I'm playing a guy who is a good friend of mine. But he says he is going to retire. How's he going to come to defend his title on Monday next year?

"I'm available next year on Monday. Nothing better to do you know.

"I have to return against Pat like I did against Henman. If I return like I did a couple of days ago, then I'm going to be in big trouble because he's a great volleyer.

"I hope my father's heart can stand another match. I really gave him enough trouble for the past 12 years. I will be playing for his heart!"

Rafter meanwhile has had the luxury of watching all the drama of Henman and Ivanisevic's 3-day epic unfold after completing his semi-final victory over Andre Agassi on schedule on Friday.

The 28-year-old Australian practised at the All England Club on Sunday and will start the final as favourite to go one better than last year when he lost to Pete Sampras having taking the first set and led 4-1 in the second set tie-break.