If tennis players were to choose an alternative occupation, then Venus Williams would shine as the fashion designer, Ana Ivanovic would be the star of the cat-walk, and Jelena Jankovic would entertain us all as an actress.
The 23-year-old has already made a head-start with countless offers, including one to host her own comedy show in her native Serbia. She was even the subject of a special documentary with cameras following her every move since April of last year.
If ever there was a born entertainer on the tennis court, it is Jelena Jankovic. Smiling, flirting, dancing around, she has a natural affinity with crowds all over the world, helped by the fact that she is never afraid to show her full range of true emotions.
"A lot of people think I act on the court like a Hollywood actress or a celebrity," she said recently. "They’re probably right. I don’t mind showcasing my feelings on court. I’m not afraid to smile. I would love to be in a real movie too one day, but only outside of my tennis schedule. And I think I’m a good actress after taking all those lessons. The problem is that I want to do so much and don’t have enough hours in a week to do it ..."
Jankovic doesn’t just entertain; she has demonstrated over the last 12 months that the tennis world had better sit up and take her seriously after climbing the summit to the top of the rankings and being declared ITF World Champion. Yet one thing is still missing from her trophy cabinet … a Grand Slam title.
That elusive prize may not be far away though, as the Belgrade native arrives in Melbourne as the world No.1 and with the most consistent record across the Slams in 2008. A runner-up finish at the US Open was the highlight, closely followed by two semifinals at the French Open and here in Melbourne.
Where once there was a lack of self-belief that she could actually win one of the big four, that all seemed to vanish overnight with retirement of her nemesis Justine Henin, who beat her in all nine matches they played. With the void left by the departure of the once-dominant Belgian, Jankovic decided it was time to step up and let her tennis do the talking.
Her major breakthrough was at the US Open, where she reached her first Grand Slam final, losing arguably the best match of the year to Serena Williams. It was a match she had in her grasp at times, blowing four set points in the second set, but despite the heartbreak, it only resulted in making her determination stronger.
Jankovic packed her bags and went continent-hopping in a spectacular three-tournament winning streak in three consecutive weeks in Beijing, Stuttgart and Moscow, a run that cemented her position as the year-end number one - but did nothing for her jet-lag.
"My coach basically told me that I had to win these tournaments to have a chance at the top spot," she told Tennis Week recently. "So, I put a lot pressure on myself, went into a fifth gear, and really gave it my all."
When all the numbers were added up, Jankovic had won 65 matches throughout year, more than any other player, won four titles, and added US$3.5M to her bank balance, half the total earnings of her career to date.
"I love being in the role of the No.1 player in the world. I like that position and I want to stay there as long as it is possible," she added. "I haven't trained in my whole career as hard as I'm training now, and I hope and I believe that all this hard work will pay off."
That training included an impressive and often punishing off-season training schedule in Mexico and Florida as she tries to end her Grand Slam injury jinx and peak in time for the women’s final on Saturday 31 January. If Jankovic makes it that far, she will certainly entertain us all throughout the journey.
Five reasons why Jankovic can win Australian Open 2009:
* Rising to the top of the rankings has given her the confidence that she belongs in the Grand Slam winners club
* The US Open final proved that she is ready to claim a Grand Slam title. Only a heroic performance by Serena Williams denied her that day
* By not playing any warm-up tournaments this year, she comes into the Australian Open fresher than in previous years
* History has shown that other former world No.1s who had yet to win Grand Slam titles such as Kim Clijsters and Amelie Mauresmo eventually go on to do so
* She plans to cut her excessive playing schedule to peak for the Grand Slams in 2009
Five reasons why she might not:
* A question-mark still remains over her ability to fight her demons and win the highest prize. Has a habit of blowing big leads in matches
* Serena Williams always wins in Melbourne on odd years having won in 2003, 2005 and 2007
* Injuries - is there ever a tournament when the Serb is not injured? Some, though, think she plays her best tennis under adversity
* Still has the inconsistent ability to lose to anyone on an off day, and has too many surprising losses on her CV
* Her serve - too often she simply pushes it into court, inviting her opponents to attack the return
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