I would like to win another grandslam: Ivanovic

MANILA: One of the glam divas of tennis, Ana Ivanovic loathes attention and prefers staying away from the limelight. Her tennis pitchforked her into the headlines eight seasons ago, when she made three Grand Slam finals in eight months, winning one of them, and climbing to the top of the WTA rankings.

Life has not been easy for the Serbian ever since, as she failed to reach the last eight in the next 17 majors and her ranking dropped to 65. She returned to the top 20 three years ago, but her real resurgence began in 2014 when she beat Serena Williams for the first time. A key player for the UAE Royals in IPTL 2, the articulate Ana spoke exclusively to the TOI on Sunday. The only question she didn't want to answer was whether she goes to see boyfriend Bastian Schweinsteiger play for Manchester United.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

Ques: You were a budding tennis player in early teens when Yugoslavia broke up after ethnic wars. How difficult was it for you during that time?

The country was going through an economic crisis... Growing up wasn't easy. Our parents protected us a lot and did their best, but you could feel that the existing problems still affected the family. Once I succeeded, it drove me to work harder and get better to prove that difficulties could be overcome.

Ques: What did you learn from those trying times?

When I look back, it really keeps me calm and humble because I know where I came from and what I did to get where I am today . It helps me appreciate that I am a fighter and a hard worker.

Ques: You reached the Wimbledon semifinal at 19 and won French Open at 20. Did Grand Slam success come too early for you?

To be honest, you don't expect to be Grand Slam champion. You work hard for it, you dream about it, you want it badly, but you never know when it will happen. I am fortunate to have achieved so much at a young age. I thought after I started on the pro Tour, I was improving and that was reward for my hard work.

Ques: You made 3 Grand Slam finals in a span of eight months, rose to world No 1 but then your form took a nosedive. What went wrong?

Till that point, I was enjoying my tennis. It was a game for me. Then all of a sudden, I struggled a bit.There was pressure and it became more like a job. The passion was gone because it was work and work, and I wanted to play, play and play .

It took me a while to get back to that mindset to once again start seeing tennis as a game and enjoy it.

Ques: It took you a long time to turn things round...

Another reason is that I am a very shy person. I was even more so when I was young. So, for me to be in the spotlight was very, very awkward. I didn't want all the attention I was getting and really struggled ...wanted to run away from it all... So I was lost for some time. But I'm glad I always had my family and friends who supported me no matter what.

Ques: After being on the Tour for a decade and a half, don't you feel like slowing and settling down in life?

It is very hard to be constantly on the road for 12-13 years... Having done that for so long, it is difficult to find the inspiration and motivation for another long journey... You have to keep doing the basics right and think of the passion for the game that I still love very much...And find the time for the little joys of life in between, like having a coffee, do some shopping or go to dinner with friends...

Ques: How much of an influence has Monica Seles been on your career?

I used to see her on TV when I was very young. What attracted me was her solid and powerful game.Then I met her a few times, and she came across as a very sweet and humble woman, and I could make out that she was a very good human being, too.

Ques: Did you get any advice on tennis from her?

She was very friendly and came up to talk to me, but I was too shy and embarrassed to ask her about my game.

Ques: Now that you are close to your best form, what are your goals? Where would you like to see yourself, say three-four years from now?

I would like to win another Grand Slam. I have won one and also been world No. 1, but at the end of the day people remember you for the titles you won, not so much your ranking.Any Grand Slam would be great, but I would like to win the Australian Open and Wimbledon. The Olympic Games are a big motivation too. It would be great if I can win a medal for my country .