mtenis.com.pl

At 26, the soaring highs are in the past, and, hopefully, so are the plummeting lows. Ana Ivanovic has spent the last four seasons bumping around in the WTA’s second tier; she hasn’t won a title since 2011, but she’s kept herself in the Top 20, and thus not totally irrelevant.

Ivanovic is always looking for a fresh start, and she’ll have another when she begins 2014 with a new coach. She should start well; she has been a finalist at the Australian Open, and last year she reached the round of 16. But her ever-leaner frame has left her with less power. That’s fine against the players who don’t have her ball-striking skills, but it makes her vulnerable to the bigger hitters. Ivanovic reached the round of 16 at three of four Grand Slams last year, but she recorded just one win over a Top 10 player.

Ad-In: At this point, hanging around within reach of the Top 10, avoiding the top players for as long as she can at the majors, and winning a couple of rounds each week may be all you can ask of Ivanovic. But she has won big before, and a victory over a highly-ranked but less-than-intimidating player like Sara Errani, Angelique Kerber, or even Agnieszka Radwanska could give her a spark. Tennis is, after all, for late bloomers these days.

Ad-Out: With a new coach comes the possibility of a working relationship that doesn’t work. Ivanovic has had her share of them in the past, but at 26 she can’t afford to waste much time or take another tumble in the rankings. The game, slowly but surely, will get younger than her.

Q. Your opponent struggled with conditions on court. How did you find them?
ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, it was a bit warm. But I'm used to them. And coming to Melbourne you expect it to be hot.

So I didn't really feel the heat. You know, I was just trying to get my rhythm out there today. I struggled more with that than the heat today.



Q. Winning Auckland, how is that confidence going into the Australian Open for you?
ANA IVANOVIC: Obviously, it was a great start to the year. It meant so much to me. I couldn't have asked for a better start.

This is a new week, new challenges. First round is still a first round, so just really happy with the victory.



Q. How do you feel you played today?
ANA IVANOVIC: It was not a great match. I mean, it was a little bit obvious. We had a lot of breaks, a lot of shaky points. I really felt I struggled with my first few steps towards the ball today.

But, you know, it's something to improve on to the next match, to get the level. Like I said, first round is never easy, especially playing opponent I haven't faced before. I didn't know much about her.

I'm just thrilled to be through and move on to the next round.



Q. How did you find the pace of the court?
ANA IVANOVIC: I found it similar to previous years. When I was practicing, I felt it could be a little bit faster, but actually today I found it, you know, just the same. At the moment even slower.

You know, I think it really depends which week you come into here. Yeah, but for me it seems similar.



Q. When you set new goals for the new season, is getting back to the top 10 your biggest goal for 2014?
ANA IVANOVIC: In this year I really want to make Singapore, the Championships. That's my big goal. I'm aware I have to work hard towards it.

I had a good start, but still plenty more weeks of tennis. Still many, many matches to come.

But that would be my biggest goal for this season.



Q. Serena Williams is obviously a hot favorite leading into this tournament. Is there belief with you and some of the other girls that someone else can maybe win the Australian Open this year?
ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah. I mean, you never know. You know, you go out there and you give your best. We all thought that last year, too. Then, you know, she got knocked out by Stephens.

It's tennis. It can go either way. I mean, she's definitely hot favorite. She's been playing amazing tennis. She's on top of women's game, there is no doubt about that.

But I think a lot of girls are out for a challenge. I think, you know, you just want to go out there and give your best and you never know what can happen on any given day.

Q. What are your thoughts on the problems of playing in the heat?
ANA IVANOVIC: Well, it's obviously hard because sometimes you do lose a little bit of concentration and focus. I think that's the downside. But, you know, it's the same for everyone. You just have to toughen it out.

Sometimes it's hard to catch your breath. You have to find a way to cool yourself and stay hydrated. We've been playing in this heat for years now. Not every year we had this many days in a row. But it's something you expect to face when you come over here.



Q. Fairly straightforward win today. Talk about your confidence going into this tournament with the title. Seems you're in a good head space these days.
ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, it was very good way to start the year for me. It was something that I really wanted for long time, to win a title again. It's been a while.

I really felt comfortable in Auckland, played some really good tennis in the final. It was a great match, too, and great challenge. We played many times and I only once prevailed, so it's a very nice win.

It does give me confidence for this week, too. It's a new tournament, new matchups. But I'm enjoying as well competing. I have good and positive team around me. They're very supportive which means a lot.



Q. Are you doing anything different this year, or is everything a progression of trying to improve?
ANA IVANOVIC: Well, we did work a lot in off season, in gym, also just to get my base level a little bit higher. My coach really understands tennis well. We really see where my game should be at.

You know, we work hard over that. It's also, like I said before, they're very positive and that's something I was lacking in the past. Because as a player, even if you have tough loss or so, you doubt yourself lots of times. But they're very supportive and they're pushing me forward. That's where I want to be.

We really work well together.



Q. You're the one who has to be positive during matches on the court.
ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, definitely. It's pattern. Whether it's positive or negative, you create patterns. I really feel I broke out of that little negative spell.

I just feel happy competing. I find strength and I enjoy having long points, long rallies, long games, and tough matches. That's what I was lacking in the past.

These kind of matches, you know, opponents can see as well. That sometimes gives you an edge.



Q. Looking back on your coaching situations ever since 2008, it looked like you were hiring almost designer coaches almost. You have a bit more of an understated team now. Do you think maybe there was too much pressure before?
ANA IVANOVIC: It's actually a very good question because many times, I try to explain to people, not every coach is good for every player. Sometimes coach can look good on paper. But when you team up with someone, it doesn't work out that way.

I really tried to also listen to lot of people's advices. It wasn't always the right choice. I made some mistakes because of this. But I learned. Now, you know, many people were doubtful. But I had confidence, and I still do.

Communication, it's at a much higher level. They understand the sport. They understand the game. You know, it's just so different to anything I'm used to.



Q. Is the communication better because you can speak in Serbian?
ANA IVANOVIC: Definitely. They can also understand. There is no secret. Every country has its own mentality, its own way to see things and to do things.

We can really understand each other with less words. Even when I'm in doubt, I can express myself better and they can answer me better.



Q. You said many times you like challenges. Now you have a big challenge in Sam ahead of you. The winner of that will play Serena. Almost like you're at the end of a Grand Slam.
ANA IVANOVIC: The draws haven't been that great for me. It's for them the same. They can look at it that way, too. No secret it's going to be a tough match. I had two tough matches last year against Sam. I lost one, won one. She's tough player, has very strong game. I have to raise my level in order to beat her.



Q. How much will you enjoy the experience? Rod Laver Arena, night match, the crowd getting into it.
ANA IVANOVIC: I really do. I enjoy coming here and competing. I had great matches and great memories from Rod Laver Arena, especially in 2008. Also I remember we had also third round match in 2006 or '7 against Sam. It's going to be great atmosphere I hope. I hope it's going to be good match.



Q. Was it difficult for you to break out of the pattern of going with the big name coach, go with your new team?
ANA IVANOVIC: It's like every decision. It was not an easy one. But I felt inside that I had to do it. In the past I've been listening too much to what people are saying, what advices they were thinking, what they thought was good for me. I didn't really listen to my inner instincts or what my gut was telling me.

You know, this time I really thought, This is my career and I have to turn towards me and just see what works out for me. I made that decision. I didn't regret it with one moment.



Q. Are you more the boss now, then, in the relationship? You've had prior coaches who were much older.
ANA IVANOVIC: It's really like a team. It's actually good thing that I have young team with me. My coach is a little bit older than my fitness coach and me. He's sometimes an authority. Sometimes he'll joke around.

It's nice to have that balance, yet we all have respect for each other, which I think is vital.



Q. What are you reading these days?
ANA IVANOVIC: Actually I've been not reading that much last few days. I've been reading this book by Jeffrey Archer. It's trilogy. I'm on the third book.

Q. For the matches you played so far this year, was that the most satisfying victory for you?
ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, it was one of. I mean, the final against Venus was another very special one for me. I thought was great quality match today. Just really happy after losing the first set to still stay composed and play some good tennis and win.



Q. You're always animated. You seemed to be excited with the things you were doing tonight.
ANA IVANOVIC: I think at the end of the match I made the longest scream ever.

It was very exciting match I think for everyone. It was such a high level of tennis from the first moment on. The crowd was really into it. I got into it, too, and I enjoyed it.



Q. Did that make it feel a bit like a final, playing Sam at her home Grand Slam on center court?
ANA IVANOVIC: Actually, I didn't think about the occasion. I just really enjoyed it. I was playing, you know, my game. They were singing.

But, you know, I think it was all in a good manner and I think they were still very well behaved and supportive. So I just enjoyed the whole experience.



Q. We've heard you say you enjoy different experiences, different matches. It really looked tonight you actually were. You were smiling on court. Is that a reflection of where you are mentally?
ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, definitely. I'm really happy with the way things are going, just with my team I really have good relationship and good time, you know. I feel I worked so hard and I know what I'm doing on the court. So that definitely helps me relax. Just more embrace the moment.



Q. Your next match is going to be a fair test for you.
ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, definitely. I mean, Serena is on top of the game for so long now. You know, she's someone we admire actually. It's going to be very tough task.

But I look forward to that challenge. I've been playing some good tennis all summer. It's going to be nice test to see where I'm at.



Q. You often say everything is a process, that the last few years have been a process. What part of the process did this match play?
ANA IVANOVIC: I think you learn, and you learn about yourself through each experience you have. Over past few years I did learn a lot. Like I was talking the other day, I made some choices and some mistakes that were not necessarily my decision. Now I really realize that it's about me and it's about my career.

I'm more forward in my opinions and the decisions I have to take. You know, I really now am confident more about those decisions, and also the way everything is. I can be more mature player on the court.



Q. For many young Serbians here in Australia, they are starting their tennis career, you're a role model. What do you think about that?
ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, I mean, it's a great honor for me to be a role model for any kid. I start playing tennis because of Monica Seles. I always try to encourage kids to play tennis or any other sport for that matter. I think it's very important in today's world just to stay active and follow their dream and their passion because many people will try to influence them, maybe force them to play, or forbid them to play.

I think it's just important they follow their own instincts, what they love. That's what matters at the end of the day.



Q. Is it the hard part?
ANA IVANOVIC: Definitely. There is no easy part in anything you do. Every job you take, every challenge you take, it's always hard. But it's worth it. All the hard work just in matches and moments like this, it pays off.



Q. What is the most important thing for you when you take the court against Serena?
ANA IVANOVIC: I mean, many things are going to be very important. She's obviously a great server. For me, it's going to be very important to hang in her service games and try to make her play, you know, and make more returns. Then again on my service game, to try and stay composed, you know, and serve well, yet be aggressive.

So it's going to be finding the balance between being aggressive enough but yet not rushing.



Q. Will it be good to get back on Rod Laver Arena? Do you enjoy it?
ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, I do. I have some great memories. It's always nice. Like I said today the atmosphere was great. I really look forward to that match.



Q. At the end you did two great lob shots.
ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, I mean, it's not the shot I make very often. In my previous match and today also I made some very important lobs in important moments. I might start using it a bit more.

Q. Surely one of the best wins of your career.
ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, definitely. I mean, she's such a great player, you know. Going on to the court today, I really just tried to give my best. I tried to make it a good match. I was very competitive till the last moment, and I'm just very thrilled, obviously.



Q. What was the difference between this match and the previous meetings?
ANA IVANOVIC: Well, I actually believed. I had some confidence coming into today's match. I really did certain things extremely well, you know, and I kept her under pressure I felt throughout the whole match.

I just, I think, you know, I just stayed in the moment physically. I didn't think much about the occasion and who I was playing, because it can get overwhelming.

You know, I just stick with my things and it paid off.



Q. That the difference for you now, you avoid getting sort of brittle in that crucial moment?
ANA IVANOVIC: Just to stay and believe in my game and what I worked on. Because I'm kind of player that I like to control the points and I like to also be aggressive, you know, and I just have to believe in it.



Q. How did you do that? How did you not think about who you were playing? What did you tell yourself?
ANA IVANOVIC: It's hard. I had to remind myself all the time, you know, just to stay in the moment. Because there were moments in the match where it could have gone either way.

I could have, you know, just made few more errors. But I really just believed in my game and stepped up when I needed to. You know, I had to break a spell, fourth round, and what's the better place to do it than here against such a champion?



Q. How aware were you of her back injury she's been suffering?
ANA IVANOVIC: I didn't hear about it. I mean, I think she didn't serve as fast as in her previous matches, but, you know, I really hope she can recover fast.



Q. You served both your last two service games out to love. In the circumstances, how pleased are you with that kind of finish of such an important match against a player like Serena?
ANA IVANOVIC: Very pleased with that. But not only in last two games, but also throughout the match, you know, because she's someone who likes to impose. You know, she likes to step in and strike the ball hard.

You know, I felt I was serving pretty well throughout the whole match. That also kept her a little bit under pressure. Just in the last service game I just tried to do the same things I had been doing throughout the whole match.



Q. You said after you won your third round beating Venus in Auckland gave you confidence for Serena. Obviously they are different places right now. You haven't had that much success against the Williamses. Do you think that one win made you think this one is possible?
ANA IVANOVIC: Definitely. And I kept thinking and going back to that match. I felt in Auckland Venus was serving a lot faster than Serena today. That definitely gave me confidence for today's win.



Q. How does this win taste for you? Is it just fish and chips or lobster with champagne? I know it's a Happy Meal, but I'm not thinking about McDonald's.
ANA IVANOVIC: That's a funny question (Laughter.)

It's amazing. I mean, this victory means so much to me. And, you know, I worked so hard and all the hard work, you know, it's paying off.

Like I said, you know, I had very tough fourth round matches in a Grand Slam, and this was probably the tough of toughest. I just went out there to play. I had nothing to lose, as well.

I just kept swinging. Even when I made errors I really, you know, believed in it. So to have that victory, you know, it's amazing. We all know what kind of champion she is. When we were starting the match and they were talking about all her Grand Slam titles, it was quite impressive (smiling).



Q. Almost exclusively Serena doesn't lose Grand Slam matches when she wins the first set. Can you talk us through your mindset sitting at your chair a set down? Mentally, how did you turn it around?
ANA IVANOVIC: It was a little bit hard, because the only reason was because I felt I had some chances in that first set that I didn't use. Towards the end I just made few loose errors, and I was very frustrated about this.

But, you know, thinking about the statistics, we don't do at all. I know that's your guys' job, and you all talk about that. I actually didn't think about it at all. I just tried to play, you know, like another match, like a new start like the same way I did against Sam.



Q. So you're full of confidence now. Can you go all the way? Can you win the Australian Open?
ANA IVANOVIC: I mean, you know, I still want to take it and play like I have been playing. The only goal I set for myself is to keep this level and to give my best every match possible. There are tough opponents, dangerous opponents each round.

I'm just so thrilled to reach quarterfinal here, first time since 2008, and it means so much to me to do it in this manner, too.



Q. In the third set you hit her backhand a lot. Is it something you identified in the preparation for the match?
ANA IVANOVIC: Well, I spoke to my coach obviously about tactics before I went on the court. And that's something, you know, I tried to focus on a little bit more.

But, you know, throughout the match I was mixing up a lot because I felt I had to play the shots I felt most comfortable with, you know.

And, you know, towards the end I just, you know, tried to do the same basically. Maybe a little more there, but just to swing freer.



Q. Was this a more a triumph of kind of your mental strength being able to close out the match the way you did, or execution? You littered up the stat sheet with winners and you didn't face a break point after the first set.
ANA IVANOVIC: I think it was both, you know. Because last year I had few occasions when I was really close beating top players, you know, and I didn't quite done it. And now, you know, I just believed and I didn't even think about that. I just tried to step up and play my game, be aggressive.

You know, even if you make a mistake, you know, it was in your hands, and that's you know, you can sleep sound at night.



Q. It's been many, many years struggle for you, ups, downs. Now is Ana Ivanovic ready to win the Australian Open?
ANA IVANOVIC: I think all the struggles were just for moments like this. You work hard and you never know what's going to happen, you know. I just really enjoy competing.

Like I said, I'm not afraid going deep against these top players. You know, I feel ready, and I want to challenge, you know, everyone out there. I know there are going to be a lot of tough matches.

It might not be quarterfinal; might be maybe second round, third round, but you always get tough matches. I'm ready for the battle, and hopefully I can show this game all the way.



Q. You have already played one hometown hero in Sam. You could play another one, Casey Dellacqua, if she wins tonight. How do you feel about that?
ANA IVANOVIC: I would love that matchup. Casey is such a lovely girl. I know her since juniors. I'm really happy to see her do so well. I hope she can do well tonight. It's going to be amazing experience I think for both of us, actually.

You know, on the other hand, Bouchard, she's very young. We had tough match in Wimbledon last year. So, you know, it's just future of tennis. So, you know, I look forward to whoever I'm going to play.



Q. Is there a sense that when Serena is out of a Grand Slam it's a very different Grand Slam? Because so much is concentrated on her as the dominant player that when she's out, it just makes the whole event seem somewhat different?
ANA IVANOVIC: It definitely does. You know, like we spoke before, I think she's done so much for the sport, and she's still doing it. She's such a great athlete, and, you know, great person to have on tour.

I'm sure she will win, you know, more majors and she will be around for a while. We want her, because it creates it pushes us, you know, too, and it creates good challenges for us to challenge and to see how far we can go.



Q. Are you keeping up the same superstition, having the same food every morning?
ANA IVANOVIC: I change it up a little bit (smiling).



Q. You're now unbeaten since the start of the season. Did you do anything different in the off season, preparations, physical, mental?
ANA IVANOVIC: I have now Serbian team with me. I'm really happy with the way everything is going, and we did work very hard in the offseason. I spent two weeks here in Melbourne training before I went down to Auckland.

But, you know, just really worked hard in the gym and on the court just trying to get lots of consistency and believe, you know. And I really feel that the team that I have now it's really behind me and they believe in me.

I went through the tough times when maybe I doubt, you know, they don't. That means a lot to me.



Q. Extraordinary support today, as we could hear. Does it make it any more special? Any connections to the city?
ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, it definitely does. It's great to have so much support, and they also push you in a way, you know. And I'm really happy I managed to play a couple of really good matches on Rod Laver, and hopefully they enjoy it, too.



Q. A match is never over until the final point, but did you have any sense out there what was the time when you had a sense that, Hey, I could finally beat Serena? Was there a moment or time when you sensed that?
ANA IVANOVIC: You know, actually when we started the match, and it was beginning, you know, maybe 2 All, and then I went actually to break her, I really felt I was in the match.

I felt if I keep doing the right things I have a shot at this. And even though I lost that first set in a manner that I was a little bit disappointed at, I kept believing and I kept fighting and looking for my moments.

I really felt I was returning well, which is the key against her.



Q. When you netted that forehand to lose the first set, you gave a sign to your team, but it was an unbelievably calm sign. What was the message you were communicating? You felt you were still in the game?
ANA IVANOVIC: Well, you know, when I missed, I felt I was lacking a step forward. I just kept thinking more technical and tactics stuff rather than the moment, you know.

I just looked up and I said, you know, I went for it. Like I spoke before, you really want to take your chances, because against players like Serena, if you give her opportunities she's going to take it.

So I was still aggressive, you know, and I missed. It was a little bit unfortunate, but I went on to serve the good serves. I just tried to basically stay in the moment and keep playing and keep being aggressive.



Q. Last time you made the final here you were wearing a blue dress. Looks a lot like this one. Are you superstitious?
ANA IVANOVIC: A little bit. I was very happy when I saw the color (Laughter.)



Q. What's been the low point since '08 and after when you were so high in the world and just to struggle? Was there a moment you remember as being sort of the darkest?
ANA IVANOVIC: There were a few of those moments. It's very hard, because for me, I'm still a little bit shy, so for me it was very overwhelming with all the success and attention I got.

I kind of wanted to get away from it a little bit. And then when I was away, I didn't want that. I wanted to still work hard.

But then I was in a little bit, you know, not the best place, you know, in my mind. 2010 was a little bit hard beginning, you know. But just, you know, you keep fighting because this is what I love to do and this is what I'm best at.

You know, I still am so young and I deserve better chance and better shot at it.



Q. Sometimes is it difficult when you win a slam when you're very young, because you aren't able to manage all the things that come with it?
ANA IVANOVIC: It was a new experience for all of us. And now looking back at it, I would have done few things differently. I maybe took a few different or good or wrong advices.

But, you know, it's just a road, you know, and we all have to pass through certain parts, you know, and mature in the way.

You know, I feel I'm different person and player now, and I enjoy much more. Maybe these years make me appreciate much more these kind of wins.