His ATP debut was at Miami Masters, where he drew a wild card, but he lost in the opening round.
The highlight of his Grand Slam debut at the 2002 Wimbledon Championships was the major upset of his first round defeat of Roger Federer, the seventh seed, 6–3, 7–6, 6–3 in just under two hours.
He finished the 2002 season in the top 100 in singles.

At the ATP Indesit Milano Indoor in February 2004, Ančić made it into his first singles ATP final, defeating sixth seed Rafael Nadal and third seed Tommy Robredo.
At the 2004 Wimbledon Championships, Ančić had his best Grand Slam result, reaching the semi-finals.
In reaching the Grand Slam semi-finals, he jumped 36 places on the ATP singles ranking to No.
27.
In doubles, he teamed up with Ivan Ljubičić, and represented Croatia at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
They won a bronze medal, losing to González and Nicolás Massú in the semi-final.
He won his first ATP singles title at the Ordina Open.
His 2005 highlights also include the final at the Japan Open Tennis Championships, losing to Wesley Moodie.
His ATP debut was at Miami Masters, where he drew a wild card, but he lost in the opening round. The highlight of his Grand Slam debut at the 2002 Wimbledon Championships was the major upset of his first round defeat of Roger Federer, the seventh seed, 6–3, 7–6, 6–3 in just under two hours. He finished the 2002 season in the top 100 in singles.
At the ATP Indesit Milano Indoor in February 2004, Ančić made it into his first singles ATP final, defeating sixth seed Rafael Nadal and third seed Tommy Robredo. At the 2004 Wimbledon Championships, Ančić had his best Grand Slam result, reaching the semi-finals. In reaching the Grand Slam semi-finals, he jumped 36 places on the ATP singles ranking to No. 27. In doubles, he teamed up with Ivan Ljubičić, and represented Croatia at the 2004 Summer Olympics. They won a bronze medal, losing to González and Nicolás Massú in the semi-final. He won his first ATP singles title at the Ordina Open. His 2005 highlights also include the final at the Japan Open Tennis Championships, losing to Wesley Moodie.
Mario Ančić