Ana Ivanovic has played tennis on top of a skyscraper in a commercial, on a desert island for a photo shoot and on top of a scoreboard at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. But it’s her efforts on centre courts around the world – not in disused swimming pools or other unexpected venues – that has propelled her to the top of the game.
A Grand Slam win and the world No.1 ranking were just rewards for a player who has looked a likely proposition since 2005 when she won her first title in Canberra.
And if the saying “You have to lose one to win one” is to be believed, then Ivanovic is a case in point when it comes to majors.
The Serbian, who resides in Switzerland, went to pieces in the French Open 2007 final at Roland Garros against Justine Henin only to return the following year and claim her maiden Grand Slam title.
In 2009 all eyes will be on Ivanovic to see if she can avenge her Australian Open 2008 final loss with a win.
Ivanovic says she is not nervous about her impending return to Rod Laver Arena where she was defeated in the 2008 women’s singles final – famously dubbed the “Glam Slam” – by Maria Sharapova.
In an exclusive interview, the 21-year-old Ivanovic revealed that Rod Laver Arena holds no demons for her.
“I’m not nervous at all, I’m excited,” says the current world No.5. “The Australian Open is probably my favourite tournament and the one that I look forward to most.
“Last year was an amazing experience. I’ve never played in front of so many big, noisy crowds before, and I received a lot of support. So I am looking forward to going back there.”
The crowds at Melbourne Park will be looking forward to it too. Ivanovic, whose love for Australia has been well documented, says that she has even thought about moving here.
“I would consider living there now if it wasn’t so far from all the tournaments,” she explains. “Because of this, it’s not realistic to live there while I am playing tennis but you never know, maybe I could live there when I retire.”
For now though, fans hoping Ana will move into their street will have to be content with her yearly visit to our shores. The former world No.1 still has much to achieve and is closer to the beginning of her professional career than the end.
At 21, Ivanovic is not yet in her prime. Since making it to the top, she admits that she feels more pressure now than she did in the past, but she’s intent on not letting it affect her.
This, however, is easier said than done. No doubt Ivanovic will be reminded of the overwhelming expectation weighing on her when she enters the Rod Laver Arena cauldron for her opening match at Australian Open 2009. Fifteen thousand screaming fans can have that effect.
The good news for the young Serbian is that the majority of the crowd will be on her side.
And there will be many more around the world cheering Ivanovic on and hoping to see her play at Rod Laver Arena on women’s singles final day and not on top of a tram, or perhaps a moving bus, in yet another media-devised photo opportunity.
Australian Open 2009 tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au or by telephone on 1300 888 104.
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