Ana recently gave an interview to the website of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. She won the tournament in 2008 and was a finalist in 2009.
The BNP Paribas Open is the largest combined two week event outside of the four Majors and Indian Wells Tennis Garden (IWTG) is the second largest tennis stadium in the world. What do you think sets it apart from the others? What do you like most about the BNP Paribas Open?
I love spending time in Indian Wells: it’s so peaceful and relaxing. I think that sometimes the setting of a tournament, when it’s somewhere you especially enjoy visiting, can help you play better – that’s definitely the case for me, as I’ve had some of my best results in the desert.
I like everything about the tournament: the organization, the relaxed mood among tournament staff, the weather, the beautiful scenery, the enthusiastic but well-behaved fans... Also, the venue seems very new and clean. Then there are some cool little things like a special locker room for former champions. Players are made to feel very welcome at this tournament.
You won the 2008 BNP Paribas Open, what are your memories of capturing that title?
It’s obviously a great memory for me, one of the best of my career. That was the best year of my career. I reached the Australian Open final and was in very good form, but then I got injured in Doha and struggled a bit. Coming to Indian Wells I didn’t know what to expect, but I had a great week of practice and played some of my best tennis all the way through the tournament.
You have a friendship with fellow Serb Novak Djokovic...you played the Hopman Cup with him, and were in his box at the Australian Open supporting him. Can you tell our readers something funny or wonderful about him that they don’t already know?
He likes to sleep in!
We know you love to read. What have you been reading lately, and do you have any good book recommendations for fans?
At the moment I am reading The Thorn Birds. I have so many recommendations! Here are a few: anything by Paulo Coelho; The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I am about to start reading The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton. I heard it’s very good.
You note on your website that you always have a song in your head during matches. What has been playing lately?
Recently nothing actually! But in the past it’s been songs by Beyonce and Rihanna especially.
Can you tell us what your top three meals are, or what foods you love to eat?
Asian food is my favourite. Three dishes I like especially are sushi, black cod and shrimp tempura.
