Jelena Jankovic hopes advances in technology will see air-conditioning added as a feature to her footwear, helping her combat the heat of Melbourne Park’s Plexicushion courts.
The Serbian joked that her new clothing sponsor, ANTA, should help her out with such an invention following her 6-1 6-3 win over Austrian Yvonne Meusburger in oppressive conditions on Rod Laver Arena this afternoon.
Despite the heat and the burning soles of her feet – which Jankovic treated using ice – the world No. 1 looked impressive in her first match of the tournament.
“I feel fit and ready to play,” she declared.
“Always the first matches are the toughest for me, especially [given] I haven’t played for about two months. I didn’t compete. So it’s nice to get going and get off to a good start.”
Jankovic suffered from an illness in the lead up to the tournament, hampering her performance in a Hong Kong exhibition tournament. She played no lead-in tournaments in Australia either, potentially leaving her scratchy and out-of form going into the Open.
However, the 23-year-old played a solid match and was pleased with her performance.
“I played well in the first set. [In the second] a little bit, you know, [I] slowed down, lost my concentration,” she said.
“But it’s alright. You know, it comes with playing matches, getting [into] the routine, and just the whole rhythm out there. So [I’m] happy to get through, and looking forward to my next round.”
Jankovic will next face Belgian Kirsten Flipkens, an opponent she said she did not know much about. Jankovic said it would be helpful for her and her coach to scout the Belgian’s matches, but said she would be focusing on herself.
“I will just go out these playing my game,” she said.
“You try to set your rhythm and try to go your way. You don’t want to let your opponent dictate the points and play the way they want to play. You want to get on top of them and do what [you] do best.”
As well as considering opponents, Jankovic is also thinking about her outfits. Decked out in a fresh green dress with matching sweatbands and shoes (inscribed with the word “Jelena”), the Serbian said she was enjoying the chance to work with her new apparel sponsor.
“I think it’s a nice dress. You know, I like the green, it’s bright. It’s quite a comfortable dress [too]. I think it looks feminine. [And] I also like my shoes,” she commented.
“This dress I haven’t designed, but in the future I will be working with a designing team and I will have my own dresses and a whole range of clothes with my name on it.
“So it’s quite cool. I’m really, really happy about it.”
With her fashion interests, Jankovic joins Serena and Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova as players who have significant input into the designs they step out on court in.
With these women all multiple Grand Slam champions, it will hopefully be a good omen for the top-seeded Jankovic at Australian Open 2009, as she attempts to claim her first major and cement her status as the game’s premier player.
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