Q&A WITH ANA IVANOVIC ON HANGING OUT WITH BABSI

How did your life change when you started to win Grand Slams and reached world number one?
It was intense. I was 20 when I won a Grand Slam and then became number one. In that one moment, everything changes from the pure joy in training and joy in the competition and figuring out how to win matches – to all of a sudden you have to win or you won’t be number one anymore. I didn’t like that, I just wanted to play tennis that I love. You are in the spotlight. But reaching number one wasn’t my dream, my dream was to just play tennis, enjoy it and just win matches and tournaments. It was kind of hard to adjust.

Who was your toughest player on tour?
You have some players who you like playing against and some other that you don’t really like and you find really tough. When I first started out I had the toughest fights with Patty Schnyder, I will never forget these fights. I remember Berlin in a quarter-final match. I won’t forget it. I always had amazing battles against Svetlana Kuznetsova. But over my career the hardest opponent to play against was Karolina Pliskova. The last two years of my career we played quite a few times and to read her serve and to not expect a shot to be coming one side – she could really disguise her game very well. I love to read the game, and I love to play the game – that’s why I love playing on clay – but with Pliskova it was always very difficult. You don’t get into rallies and she serves very, very well.

What match would you like to replay from your career? 
I would like to replay the final of the Australian Open against Sharapova in 2008. It was a tight first set, 4-4, and 30-30 and she was serving. I had an easy finish on my forehand and I hit a drop shot and it went into the net. I lost that point, got distressed, lost the set 7-5 I think. I could not let go of that point in my head. Normally you forget and move on and go for the next point, but somehow I could not forget that point. I was playing so well in that tournament, so that’s the one I would probably like to replay.

Is there someone you would have liked to have played against that you didn’t during your career?
I would have like to have played Monica Seles, our careers just missed each other. I have met her a few times after she retired and is very down to earth, very shy and very humble. I wish I had played her. She is such an amazing person.

How much did fellow Serb Novak Djokovic influence your career?
We grew up in Serbia together and we started playing tennis at similar times – me a year later. Then we got to 10 or 11 years old we played a lot of small tournaments in Serbia. Later on in the tour we became very close friends. Over the years he had his own path and I had my path but what he has achieved is really amazing.

Do you think Novak can finish his career with the most men’s Grand Slam titles?
Probably because he has time on his side. He still definitely has at least two years left to do that and that’s one of his big goals.

What are your thoughts on Kim Clijsters returning to professional tennis?
Kim has been such a mentor to me because when I first started on tour, I spent a lot of time talking to her. She helped me settle in on the tour. We became friends, she then had Jada, she came back and won a Grand Slam. It’s amazing what she achieved. I still respect her so much, it’s just difficult to imagine now after having three kids and being out for so long to make a comeback – not because she’s not fit, but because your body just reacts differently. When you are out of competition you realise how much fine-tuning is necessary and she has been out for a while. I have been watching some of her matches and she has been striking the ball amazingly well, but I really hope she can get back to that level to play like she used to. Personally, I don’t think it’ll be easy after being out for so many years.

Do you think Serena Williams can win one more Grand Slam title and make into the history books?
I think with Serena it’s more the thought of winning that extra Grand Slam rather than if she is able to. With Serena she has made so many Grand Slam finals since giving birth, it’s just the emotional side of making that step and actually winning the title.

Who will this extended break favour the older, more experienced players, or the younger players?
I think it is very challenging. I wouldn’t want to go through that. I was out injured for two months and it was hard enough. Some players find it easier to get used to. Some players get injured for a few months, come back and they are as strong as before. It is very individual but you would think it would favour the younger players because it would be easier to get match fit and into match rhythm.

Is there anything you miss from your tennis career?
I miss the competition. It’s funny because when I started playing like I did when I was 15 or 16 years old I was dreading playing on the centre courts. I didn’t like to be in the spotlight. Now I miss it and it’s kind of strange. When I watch my friends play and when I watch tournaments I really wish that sometimes I could be there and compete because I like that part. I like the travelling, I like meeting friends and going all over the world. But then you think of everything else that goes with it, I’m pretty happy.

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