Goran Ivanisevic has some news for Albion boss Micky Adams.

The three-times Wimbledon finalist comes to the Samsung Open in Brighton next week at the end of a nightmare year.

And the former world No.2, who once turned down Hajduk Split FC, just might be tempted to look for an alternative career as a footballer.

The colourful Croatian said: "If I don't play tennis anymore, maybe I can play for Brighton. I would live there too."

Tongue might have been in the cheek of the engaging, yet volatile crowd favourite. But he desperately hopes a breath of sea air at Brighton will help revive his career which is in a critical condition.

He said: "If I play well I have chances. I can beat anybody if I don't beat myself. I like to play in England. The people understand tennis. I think they will respect me at Brighton.

"I want to finish the year well, then go home and have a nice Christmas."

The big-serving ace is grateful the event gives gives him a final chance to rediscover how to win in 2000.

He said: "I have to say thanks for the wild card. It is nice that somebody still wants me, somebody still appreciates me."

The 29-year-old needs to rely, more often than not, on wild cards these days.

Ivanisevic might be a dangerous floater for Tim Henman, Cedric Pioline, Arnaud Clement and Greg Rusedski at Brighton, but he knows that it could be difficult to turn potential upsets into reality.

He started the year outside of the top 20 for the first time in ten years at 62 and it got worse. Ivanisevic lost his 16th first round match on the ATP Tour in St Petersburgh last week, plummeting to 98 in the ATP Champions Race.

He said: "My battery is empty, the red light is on and I do not know what to do. I cannot put my first serve in court."

His problem is motivation. He said: "My sister was sick at the start of my career. She had cancer and I played for her. Now she is fine.

"When the war was fought in Croatia, I wanted to play for my country. I was very motivated. Then somehow everything stopped. I had nothing to play for any more."

Even the thought of doing it for himself lacks appeal.

"That is a big problem. I don't like myself sometimes and then I don't play for myself."

Ivanisevic is resisting any thoughts of retirement.

He said: "I will not retire yet because I still have fun when I practise and there are still players ranked above me who shouldn't be. I shouldn't be so low.

"I still think I can play good tennis for two years if my shoulders hold up."