Ana Ivanović
Okay, ladies and gentlemen, and everybody else who likes talking tennis. This is my first preview of certain player and it is my pleasure to introduce to you lovely Ana Ivanovic, from country of yours truly. This is also a part of my second column, so I hope you will enjoy it.
I’m certain that many of you celebrate November 6, the day on which this beautiful girl was born. She also has younger brother. Both of them are children of Miroslav and Dragana Ivanovic.
In order not to sound as many TV commentators, I’ll skip the part that we already know – started playing tennis at age of five, idol Monica Seles…
The most important thing to discuss about Ana is certainly her success at Roland Garros 2008, where she claimed the singles title and no. 1 spot as 17th queen of tennis. It is also important to mention that young Ana is 7th youngest tennis player in woman’s competition to climb top of WTA list.
However, I must say that in a certain way I was glad to see Ana win French Open as her first Grand Slam. Not to jinx her, Monica Seles (also one of my top 3 favorite players of all time) did the same before conquering the world of tennis (not to mention that lucrative sponsorship with Yonex). However, young Ana is totally different player in terms of technique, but again, you must admit that you can see a bit of Little Mo’s spirit when Ana is hitting the ball harder and harder.
But let’s talk tennis. I must say that Ana’s performance only confirms what we can except from this young lady in future. First of all, Ana’s ground strokes are so hard to return on clay and imagine her doing the same on green grass of Wimbledon. We were all amazed (especially Jelena Jankovic and later Dinara Safina) by the strength of her forehand. In this moment, I think that Ana is ‘the one’ of woman’s tennis. First of all, she finally became ruthless when it comes to winning on court – I simply love how she out strengths her opponents – I must say it again – ruthless! The fact that she became No. 1 before winning the French Open gave her the necessary confidence to reach the final goal – her first grand slam. When you look it this way it really does sound like fairytale – she got it all, didn’t she? Let’s face it, she is the one that will definitely be holding Wimbledon singles title. One of the reasons is certainly the fact that not many can stand up to her. Ana will lose only if she makes a lot of unforced errors. I do not think that will happen, especially as she is now new tennis queen.
I can only imagine what it feels like to see Ana’s strokes passing next to you while you run to at least catch with the frame of your racket. The serve. Fantastic! Forehand. Even better. Backhand. Needs improvement, but yet again, it’s very good weapon. Volleys… I must say I am a bit disappointed that Ana is not playing doubles. I can understand that she wants to be number one in singles. I have always admired Martina Hingis for that. She played tennis like no one did. What she could do with the tennis ball?! I can honestly say that Ana would do for woman’s tennis, what Roger Federer did for man’s play – be a complete player in every way – she could with ease finish every match. Slice. I love Ana’s slice, but somehow, it always places her in trouble. However, I do love that she is playing more backhand, with much more killer stroke. I do not like the fact that she will go around the ball and play forehand instead of backhand. This is something new this year for Ana. This is my only remark on Ana’s game.
Wimbledon. As junior, Ana played final year before she entered the WTA. She has many beautiful memories from that period. This time, Ana is coming hard. She will be player to beat. She was ruthless on clay, but she will be even more ruthless on grass (yes, I just like saying that over and over again). When you look on the top 10 players, or any player that will be seeded, who can outgun Ana in this moment? Sharapova… Dangerous and loud opponent. JJ? Last year’s mixed doubles winner is constantly injured, but she always manages to win and somehow always ends in semis. This time, she will be probably seeded no. 2, so she will meet Ana in final. That means that Ana will certainly have a difficult job on year’s third slam. I would like to see Ana playing (and beating) sisters Williams, Sharapova… on her way. It would give her even more confidence and strength to prove her and us that she really is the one.
The first «Focus on» is a bit of mix of my two columns that you will be able to read on one or two weeks basis. After Wimbledon, we will introduce new player to be watch on, a new blog covering all major matches that have taken place during Wimbledon. Do not forget to read «Tennis and the city», which will be posted on every two weeks covering major happenings in tennis – on court and off court.
Kind regards to all of you,
Branko
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