Goran Ivanisevic knows a bit about major closing amid advancing age.
The Croatian wild card was 29 when he defeated Patrick Rafter to win Wimbledon on "People's Monday" in 2001.
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With his 31st birthday looming a month from now, Tomas Berdych believes the time is now to make his major move.
The 2010 Wimbledon runner-up has hired Ivanisevic to get over the Grand Slam finish line. The pair begin their partnership in Cincinnati this week.
“These days I think 30 is not an old age for tennis players," Berdych told the media in Cincinnati. "If you look around, I think it’s still a pretty good time. I feel like I still have a couple good years ahead. That’s why I’m just trying to look for all the possible help and just try to improve myself as much as I can.”
Thirteen years after winning Wimbledon as the world No. 125, Ivanisevic helped Marin Cilic relocate his toss, streamline his service motion and assert his baseline aggression, all of which paid major dividends when the 25-year-old Cilic won the 2014 US Open.
Ivanisevic joins Luka Kutanjac on Berdych's coaching team.
The question is: Can Ivanisevic help Berdych improve his record against the elite?
Berdych hasn't beaten a Top 10 player since defeating then world No. 9 David Ferrer in the Madrid round of 16 in May. Since then, he's dropped 10 consecutive sets to Top 10 opponents, producing a 2-7 record vs. the elite this season.
The eighth-ranked Berdych, who parted with coach Dani Vallverdu after suffering a humbling 6-0, 6-0 thrashing to David Goffin in Rome, bounced back to reach the Roland quarterfinals and Wimbledon semifinals.
Because Berdych is a flatter hitter and not quite as agile around the court as Top 10 counterparts Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Kei Nishikori, he can struggle against higher-ranked opponents.
Berdych previously reached out to Hall of Famer Ivan Lendl, who declined to coach his Czech compatriot, then reunited with Andy Murray in June.
Berdych is a big server but his second serve can be predictable. If Ivanisevic can strengthen Berdych's second serve and reinforce his first-strike skills it could be a productive pairing. The pair already spent time together during the IPTL season last fall.
Photo credit: Tomas Berdych