Twenty-third player in the world, and sharp as ever, Ana Ivanovic of Serbia (23) is back in Kockelscheuer, the place of his debut on the WTA Tour in ... 2003 and his victory in 2007.
Ana, it's good to see you in Luxembourg. How are you?
I am very pleased to be here, as always. I recovered after my retirement in the quarter-finals in Beijing ten days ago. Moreover, I am accompanied by my physio. I suffered from lower back injury is a kind of spinal degeneration, which was probably already present for some time and that is kindled, which hurts me especially when I bow my legs. It is undoubtedly an evil that will not disappear anytime soon, so I must be very careful. But I felt good, I hit the ball well and I'm pretty fresh physically and in my head
What do you feel it come back to Kockelscheuer?
It's really great to be back here. It is a great tournament. I well remember having done my first steps on the WTA Tour here in Luxembourg in 2003. I did not even appear in the ranking, and they were very kind to give me a wild card for qualifying. In return, I had made them promise to return at least four times thereafter. This is something I will never forget. After my surrender to Beijing, and during my recovery, I told my coach: "I definitely want to be in Luxembourg," as the place is full of emotions and memories for me. In addition to my first professional tournament, I also won the title here in 2007. So it is something very, very special to me.
That is correct. We began our collaboration after Wimbledon, and have pursued the same goal: to improve my game that needed more structure and consistency. Next year the goal is to re-enter the Top 10, and hopefully win another Grand Slam.
Which way do you have left there to go to achieve these goals?
I am confident that my game is there, and can allow me to reach them, I just need to learn how to handle pressure. I had many more requests after winning a Grand Slam and occupied the place of No. 1 world, and I also generated a lot of expectations. It became like a new job for me, between what I had to do left and right to meet those demands. It's very hard. But I think I got rid of all these sides to Extrasport, having found the taste of the competition and be back on track, the game itself.
Tell us a little more detail the special relationship between a player and coach of top ...
This is very special and sometimes a bit complicated. For you are very often together, full time, even with your boyfriend or your family. This is a very intimate relationship, actually. But it's fun, too, because in a sense, it is the player who is the boss. Although of course, the coach tells you what to do. With a man, this is more than friendly relationship, I think. I guess it must be more difficult to be told what to do with a girl, which inevitably affects the relationship. Women are more emotional than men, and their mood more variable. But it is not our case. We have a very good communication with Nigel, and we know that we are pursuing the same goals.
I am a very emotional, definitely. I've always been so. This is something that is in me, part of my personality. But it is also something I have to work, because sometimes, it turns against me instead of help me.
