Sunshine Coast Daily interview official website

Ana this week gave an interview to the Sunshine Coast Daily in Queensland.


 The interview, headlined "Aussie Ana' sweats on Coast", focuses on the 24-year-old's off-season preparations.


 The following is a reproduction of the story, written by Greg Dawkins:


 FOR most people, Christmas holidays spent on the Sunshine Coast would be the ideal getaway.


 But for Serbian glamour Ana Ivanovic it has been the location for her to lay the groundwork for the 2012 season, which she hopes will return her to the top of women's tennis. 


 "I came to Queensland for some intense physical preparation," the world No. 22 said yesterday.


 "Just like I did two years ago, I did a lot of running through Noosa National Park, swimming and many other outdoor activities. 


 "I can't think of a more beautiful place to train and it definitely helps keep you motivated.


 Ivanovic begins her Australian summer assault at the Brisbane International, which starts tomorrow, followed by the Sydney International (January 8-13) and Australian Open (January 16-29). 


 The newly upgraded Brisbane tournament has attracted its best women's field, including 13-time major champion Serena Williams, reigning Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters and Australian No.1 and US Open champion Samantha Stosur. 


 "I definitely hope that training in Queensland can give me an advantage, because I am obviously very used to the conditions here," 


Ivanovic said. "It's going to be an exciting start to the season.


 So many great players at this tournament, and we all want to start the year well. 


 "I'm sure it's going to be tough competition.


 "I think when you go into the first tournament of the season, every player is extra excited to be back on court and everyone is very sharp.


" Despite hovering around the top 20 for the past three seasons, Ivanovic has struggled emotionally and physically since her break out year in 2008, when she won the French Open and claimed the world No.1 ranking.


 This year almost went by without a title, until she celebrated her 24th birthday in November with a successful defence of her WTA Tournament of Champions title in Bali - her 11TH tournament win.


 "It was a great end to the season and it was a big boost for me," Ivanovic said. "I really didn't want to go the whole season without winning a tournament, so better late than never.


" Off the court, Ivanovic has made some major changes to her entourage this year.


 Back in her corner is Australian golf star and boyfriend Adam Scott and she has enlisted British coach Nigel Sears as her mentor.


 "I came to Australia straight from Bali, actually, and spent time with Adam at tournaments in Sydney and Melbourne" Ivanovic said.


 "Nigel arrived about a month ago and I moved my focus from physical preparation to tennis.


 "Nigel comes to the court with many clear ideas and we have a very similar opinion about how I should play. 


 "I think it has gone very well and I'm playing some very good tennis in practice." Ivanovic has also split with Australian strength-and-conditioning trainer Scott Byrnes. 


 "I think I've got very good structure this year," she said. "Although Scott and I stopped working together (this month), we had already completed the main fitness block and we were moving on to tennis."


 Affectionately known as "Aussie Ana", Ivanovic feels at home in this country and wants nothing more than to improve on her past performances - runner-up at the 2008 Australian Open and semi-finalist at the 2010 Brisbane International.


 "Oh, I love it here," she said. 


 "I definitely feel at home here. The 'Aussie Ana' thing is funny and good fun. 


 "I feel most pressure from myself because the Australian Open is probably the tournament I want to win the most."


Source : Official Website 

Ana on Press in Brisbane

Ana Ivanovic happy to take 2012 as it comes

World number 22 Ana Ivanovic will be looking to go one step further in her third appearance at the Brisbane International.


 Having made the quarterfinals in the tournament’s inaugural year, she then advanced to within one match of the final in 2011 and will be hoping that upward trend continues at this season’s event.




 “I love this tournament, I’ve played it a couple of times already,” she said at a Queen Street Mall press conference.


 “I had practice outside on Pat Rafter Arena this morning and it’s been really nice. It’s been good to be around the tournament again.


 “It’s lots of fun, I’m looking forward to this week.”


  However with the Brisbane International set to host its toughest field in the tournament’s history, winning through to the final will be no easy task.


 Following the release of the draw on Saturday morning, the Serb is in line to face fifth seed Kim Clijsters in the second round, with a potential quarterfinal match-up against Australia’s own Sam Stosur also on the cards.




But Ivanovic said she hasn’t yet had the opportunity to run a keen eye over any future contests.


 “Actually I haven’t [seen the draw], I’ve been practising this morning and the draw has just been done but I know there is lots of good players out here this year. 


 “It’s a stronger event [than last season]. 


 “It’s a good preparation and a good way to track exactly where you’re at. 


  “If you want to get deep in a tournament you have to face them at some point so, you know, why not sooner?


”Her relationship with Australian golfer Adam Scott has seen her take to the fairways in support – fans can expect to see Scott return the favour from the stands at Pat Rafter Arena.


 The two often practise together and, according to Ana, Scott can more than hold his own with a racquet in hand.“He’s actually a really good tennis player. 


He can hit winners, he aced me a few times, so he was happy about that,” she said with a laugh.


 Ivanovic will be looking to send down some killer serves of her own when the tournament’s main draw kicks off on Sunday.


Source: Brisbane Official Website 

Ana on her Brisbane Draw

Ivanovic, the 2008 French Open champion and former No. 1, has been training on the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane this month after spending Christmas with boyfriend and pro golfer Adam Scott.


 She will play Austria’s Tamira Paszek in the opening round before a possible meeting with Clijsters in the round-of-16. 


 “It doesn’t get harder than that, but it’s a good preparation for the Australian Open,


” Ivanovic said of her draw.“It’s a good way to check where you’re at and if you want to get deep into a tournament, you have to face them at some stage, so why not sooner?”


Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Ana training in Brisbane 2012 Photos

Album here

Ana in Brisbane 2012

All ready for Brisbane 2012 : Main Draw

Ana has been draw to face a Tamira Paszek in opening round of Brisbane Internacional  , which begins on monday . She is not seeded


In round two Ana would meet either Five seeded Kim Clijsters or Simona Halep . Top seed and US Open champion Samantha Stsour is a posible quarterfinals opponent


Were she to reach the semi-finals . Ana could face either four seed Serena Williams or Eighth seed Dominika Cibulkova


The seeded players in the Bottom half of the draw, whom Ana cannot meet until the final are , No2 Andrea Petkovic , No3 Francesca Schiavone  , No6 Jelena Jankovic and No7 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova  , among others


In last year Ana did not play but the best results Brisbane 2010 reaching semifinals losing Justine henin


Main Draw here

Ana from her Facebook "Happy new year"

Happy New Year!


Facebook 

Message from Ana in your Website

It's almost here! I can't say I was bored during the off-season, because I have really enjoyed my time in Australia so far, but I've really missed competing.


 I came to Australia straight from Bali actually, and spent time with Adam at tournaments in Sydney and Melbourne. I also visited my family in Melbourne.


 Then I came to Queensland for some intense physical preparation. We really took advantage of the beautiful surroundings: that was a big reason for me to train here. Just like I did two years ago, I did a lot of running through Noosa National Park, swimming and many other outdoor activities. I can't think of a more beautiful place to train and it definitely helps keep you motivated!


 Nigel arrived about a month ago and I moved my focus from physical preparation to tennis. It was great to see Nigel's excitement, and that also got me pumped. This is the longest time we've had together away from tournaments, so we've been able to work on many things and I'm really happy with how it's gone. 


 The Brisbane tournament starts in just a few days and I can't wait. I'm nervous and excited at the same time.I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Happy New Year. I hope we can all achieve our goals in 2012 :) 


 LoveAna


Source : Official Website 

Ana's Shoes for Australian Open 2012

The adidas Women's Adizero Tempaia All Court Tennis Shoes deliver lightweight performance and speed on all surfaces, featuring adizero 3-Stripes speed lines and a women-specific fit.


Upper: Perforated synthetic mix for comfort and ventilation. adiTUFF protects the toe from abrasions and an EVA tongue adds comfort. Midsole: Extended Torsion System provides arch support, and feathered construction allows for maximum performance.


adiPRENE in the heel and adiPRENE+ in the forefoot deliver superior shock absorption and propulsion. Outsole: adiWEAR 6 provides extreme durability in high abrasion areas.


 Color: Running White/Ultra Bright/Core Energy

Ana's Jacket for Australian Open 2012

Ana from her Facebook

The new season will be here soon! I can't wait. Any New Year's resolutions?

Facebook 

Ana most athlete from Serbia

On the list of 30 world athlete whose name most times searched on "Google" our player takes eighth place with 12.3 million hits.

Ana Ivanovic is by far the most popular in Serbia sprostikinja judging by the results of a search on "Google". 


The list 30 athlete of the world whose name is searched the most times on the popular website once the best player on the planet occupies the eighth place with 12.3 million views! Most wanted athletes to "Google" the players. 


In the first place is Serena Williams, with 125 million hits, followed with 54.7 million Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki, with 37,200,000, with 36,700,000 Anna Kournikova and Venus Williams with 30.5 million.


Source : www.novosti.rs

Australian Open 2012 Dress Photos and Description

The dress comes with a coordinating compression short and sports bra. Dress also features a scoop neck, contrast mesh tank straps and insets on body, mesh racer back, contrast stripes on coordinating short, and a printed adidas logo on chest. 24" length from underarm to hem. 


Content: 100% Polyester mesh 
 Ventilated ClimaCool technology keeps you cool and comfortable in even the warmest conditions by actively expelling heat and sweat away from your body.


 ForMotion technology follows every curve of the athlete's body for a better fit and greater comfort while in motion.


 Colors:Ultra Bright (light orange) w/Core EnergyWhite w/Core Energy

New season preview

Ana begins her 2012 season on Sunday with the Brisbane International. Newly upgraded to Premier status, the $655,000 event has attracted its best ever line-up of players.


 Among the field will be 13-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, reigning Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters and Australian No.1 and current US Open champion Samantha Stosur. Former world No.1 Maria Sharapova has withdrawn through injury. 


 “It’s going to be an exciting start to the season,” said Ana. “So many great players at this tournament, and we all want to start the year well. I’m sure it’s going to be tough competition"


 From Brisbane Ana will head to Sydney for the Apia International, which takes place during January 8-13. It will be her first appearance at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre since she reached the semi-finals in 2008, the year she went on the finish runner-up at the Australian Open. 


"I was really looking forward to playing Sydney last year,” Ana explained. “But unfortunately I got injured at Hopman Cup and it wasn’t to be. I love playing there and I think my family may come to watch me too.”


 January will be a busy month for Ana, and she hopes to be in action during all four weeks. From Sydney she will travel to Melbourne for the Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam, which takes place during the third and fourth weeks of the month.


 Ana said: “It’s definitely one of my goals to do better at the Grand Slams next year. I believe I’m on the right path, I have confidence in my coach Nigel and he has confidence in me, and hopefully I can go far.”


Source: Official Website

Vanidades Photos : Official Website

Source: Official Website

Ana have a new Profile on Facebook

It was time for a new profile pic!


Facebook 

New Racquet : Ezone XI Photos and Descriptions

The racquet of choice for Ana Ivanovic, the Yonex E-Zone Xi 98, offers the new Yonex Xi technology (Extra Isometric) which expands the sweetspot towards the top of the frame and, according to Yonex, provides a bigger sweetspot and more power with less impact vibration. Also new is the Yonex SD IS Grid shaft. 


A shock absorbing Grid mesh sheet is inserted into the shaft to absorb the impact vibration between the 2 tubes inside the grip. Yonex also improved the OPS System in the shaft, providing a stable, yet flexible, soft feel. 


The E-Zone Xi 98 offers excellent power and a flexible, forgiving feel and impresses from all areas of the court. From the baseline the racquet feels very maneuverable allowing easy access to fast swings for power and spin generation.

At net the racquet provides the player with all the feedback needed for confident and crisp volleys. There is ample feel for all the touch and finesse needed on drop volleys and angles. On serve the Yonex E-Zone Xi 98 provides some nice power thanks to its firm and responsive flex. 


The 16x19 string pattern really helped in adding plenty of bite to slice and kick serves. All in all the E-Zone Xi 98 is a great offering in the player's racquet category and well worth a demo for intermediate level players and above. 

Ana and Yonex extend partnership

Ana and her racket partner Yonex have extended their co-operation. The 24-year-old signed a four-year contract in January 2008, a deal believed to be one of the most lucrative in tennis history, and recently penned a new contract.


 As racket changes go - Ana used Wilson equipment at the start of her professional career - it was one of the most successful of all-time, with Ana winning her first Grand Slam and ascending to No.1 in the rankings within the first six months of the switch.


 "I'm delighted to sign this new agreeement," said Ana. "Yonex is a fantastic company. They make, in my opinion, the best rackets, and they're so supportive and fun to work with."


 Ana is currently using the Yonex EZONE Xi racket.

Source: Official Website

Ana nominated onthebaseline.com awards

Ana has been nominated in no fewer than five categories in the annual onthebaseline.com Player Awards, the popular website fan poll
.
 The 24-year-old is shortlisted in the following categories:


 *Comeback Player of the Year
 *Fan Favorite of the Year
 *Humanitarian of the Year
 *Facebook Fan Page of the Year
 *Best Official Player Website
 *Ana's coach Nigel Sears has also been nominated in the "Best Coach of 2011" category.


 Ana swept the board at last year's awards, winning in five out of six categories. This website has won the Best Official Player Website award every year since the accolades have been handed out.


 Click here to vote

Ana Ivanovic working with boyfriend's physio

Former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic has been working with renowned golf osteopath Tina Maio of Australia, who also works with the Serbian’s boyfriend, golfer Adam Scott,
TENNIS.com has learned. Ivanovic has been spending the off-season in Australia with Scott.


 Maio owns her own practice in Melbourne and has also worked with golfers Stuart Appleby and Ian Poulter. She is a part-time consultant to the Victorian Institute of Sport and is said to have a "particular interest in the prescription of exercise to overcome injuries and to rectify imbalances caused by poor posture and bad habits."


 It is unclear whether Ivanovic will hire a new full-time fitness trainer, but she has been working with a so far unidentified person on at least a temporary basis. - Matt Cronin


Source: http://Tennis.com

The trainer Scott Byrnes leaves Ana Ivanovic

It’s been confirmed by Matt Cronin that Ana Ivanovic is no longer working with fitness trainer Scott Byrnes. The news was first reported by Miguel Seabra earlier today, and then became apparent when Scott Byrnes was no longer listed part of Ana’s team on her website. According to Cronin, Scott Byrnes left Ana’s team earlier this month.


 Ivanovic is currently in Australia with her boyfriend, golfer Adam Scott. It is unclear at this time whether she will hire a new trainer.

Girls need to lighten up: Ana Ivanovic

"That was really refreshing ... getting to play alongside Novak and seeing how differently he functions," the former world No.1 said.


 "It was interesting to watch how much fun he had and how much he enjoyed his tennis."You could just tell he was going to have a great year.


 "That's why we all play the game, but sometimes with the pressure and stress that gets forgotten."Maybe we (women) would perform much better if we could relax a little more and let it go.


 "The things with men's tennis is that it's set up a bit differently and I feel it's more relaxed. They just don't seem to stress about the small things.


 "That might also be a difference between guys and girls generally. Girls take everything so personally. Everything is more emotional for us.


"Ivanovic nominated Romanian rival Sorana Cirstea as her best friend on tour, but wished the atmosphere was more conducive to getting to know other females better on a personal level.


 "The key is trying to find a balance and men seem to do that better," she said.


"I think the guys do hang out more - they spend more time together than the girls do.


 "It might be hard for us to support each other because the tour can be very competitive. Maybe it's getting a bit better than when I started. The girls are a bit more relaxed, but it's still not the same as the men's side of things.
 "Novak for example, he hangs out with a lot of the guys.


 "It's a shame in a way. We spend so much time together on tour throughout the year. We travel and work together."But we don't get to know each other or spend a lot of time as people or have girls' talk about fashion or whatever.


"Having ridden an emotional and injury-punctuated roller-coaster since she won the title at Roland Garros three years ago, Ivanovic is well versed in just how mentally challenging the modern game can be.


 Before settling with current mentor Nigel Sears in July, she went through a coaching conga line to arrest her plummeting ranking and suffered serious doubts about her long-term form. Now steady at No.22, Ivanovic is in a much-improved frame of mind as she prepares for next month's Apia Sydney International on the back of a season-ending title in Bali.


 "It was really frustrating because I was in good form, but the results weren't there," she said.


 "To finish on such a high is exciting and inspirational heading into the new year
.
 "Sydney is always a tough tournament but it's going to be especially challenging this year with so many top players.


 "You could play a grand slam quarter-finalist in the first round."


Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au

Ana Ivanovic lands Mr Right, Adam Scott, on and off the court

RICH? Tick. Famous? Tick. Handsome? Tick. Outrageously talented? Tick. His pedigree is the bane of every average bloke, but that's not what netted Australian golf star Adam Scott the most gorgeous girl in tennis.For Serbian stunner Ana Ivanovic, it's the little things Scott does away from the gala dinners and red carpet that have courted her a second time.


 "I like the relaxed, laid-back Australian mentality," Ivanovic confessed. "And I also feel like he's very helpful around the house.


 "When we're together he offers to do things and help - much more than Serbian men would."He hasn't cooked yet ... but he has promised to make me a dish.


"Ivanovic and Scott resumed their relationship this year to re-claim the undisputed crown of sport's most glamorous couple.


 According to Ivanovic, their break-up was a chance to re-focus on their careers. 
 "It was tough times for both of us," she said.


 "Sometimes you need time apart to figure things out. We felt there was so much more we could achieve with our careers.

 "In the end, it has all been for the good. It has been really nice for both of us.


"But deciding on Mr Right hasn't been the only challenge in Ivanovic's life. 


 She's also spent most of her career searching for a right-hand man to inspire the form that took her to world No.1 three years ago.


 Ivanovic's subsequent struggle with injury and mental demons has seen her flick through several coaches before settling on British guru Nigel Sears in July. 


 She and Scott rekindled their romance around the same time, and Ivanovic - now ranked No.22 - this week declared she has not felt as comfortable since notching her lone grand slam triumph at the 2008 French Open. 


 "This might be the first time I've felt good since I became world No.1," she said. 


 "When that happened, I was really motivated and inspired to stay there. Then I went through a really tough patch with injury and some bad losses.


 "That played on my mind and I lost my way a little bit 


... probably more than a little bit."Ivanovic suffered from analysis paralysis - a condition common to sports stars who heed the advice of every well-wisher rather than a single wise head. 


 The 24-year-old is now confident Sears, the former women's head coach at the Lawn Tennis Association, can fulfil that vital role.


 "I went to a lot of people for advice and tried to listen to them all, but sometimes it was the wrong advice," she said. "Everyone had my best interests at heart, but it doesn't all work.


 "I just spent too much time thinking and talking about the best way to approach getting back to the top. There have been lots of moments when I was trying too hard.


 "Looking back, it would've been better to just take a month off and get away from it all rather than try over and over and over again.


 "All you can do is learn and realise from your mistakes. I've also done many good things and I can't let myself forget about those.


 "I really feel now that with Nigel, with his trust and commitment, I can get there.


"After claiming her first title of 2011 at the season's final event in Bali, she slipped into her off-season alongside Scott in Australia with a little more pride. 


 Renowned for her jaw-dropping photo shoots and fashion spreads, Ivanovic admitted that she had felt guilty posing for the paparazzi whenever her on-court form dipped.


 "I want to be recognised for what I do in tennis," she said. 
 "The photo shoots and fashion are fun, but they are definitely not my priority.


 "I actually find that if I'm not playing well, I feel like I don't deserve to be in the public eye.


"Ivanovic clearly didn't feel that way at last month's Presidents Cup golf tournament in Melbourne, where she publicly cheered on Scott while in town visiting second cousins in suburban Mentone. 


 She has since been training alongside Scott on the Sunshine Coast in preparation for next month's Apia Sydney International, which is followed by the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.


 "Adam has been really helpful for me," she said. 


"In the last few years we've both been through a lot and he's now getting back to the top. 


 "He can help me with advice and support to get where I want to be."


Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au

2012 Schedule

2012 Season Schedule No Official 

01/01 - WTA Brisbane Internacional , Brisbane 

08/01 - Apia Internacional Sydney , Sydney 

16/01 - Australian Open 

13/02 - Quatar Ladies Open 2012 , Doha 

20/02 - Dubai Duty Free Tennis Champioschip , Dubai 

05/03 - BNP Paribas Open , Indian Wells 

19/03 - Sony Ericsson Open , Miami

23/04 - WTA Tour Porsche Tennis Grand Prix , Sttugart

04/05 - Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open , Madrid 

14/05 - Internazionali BNL d'Italia , Rome 

28/05 - French Open , Roland Garros 

18/06 - Aegon Internacional , Eastbourne 

25/06 - Wimbledon 

09/07 - Bank Of the West Classic , Stanford 

07/08 - Rogers Cup , Montreal 

13/08 - Western & Southern Open , Cincinnati

27/08 - Us Open tennis Champioschip 

23/09 - Toray Pan Pacific Open , Tokyo 

29/09 - WTA Tour China Open , Beijing 

30/10 - WTA Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions , Sofia Bulgaria 

Ana Ivanovic: "The players should be more relaxed "

The former world number one Ana Ivanovic said that the women of the WTA are much more competitive than men and that this makes it much less fun than dressing as men.


 In a recent interview with the Daily Telegraph said that the Serbian tennis competition and tension within the squad considerably exceeds the relaxed atmosphere that appears to the outside.


 "It 'was interesting to see Novak play and understand what he enjoys doing his tennis, he felt as if she had a great year ahead."


 "We all have our game, just that sometimes the stress and tension, just forget it.""The game of us women would be better if we could perhaps be more relaxed and we let ourselves go a little 'more in the field. 


The difference with the men's tennis is that they appear more relaxed and it seems they do not think the little things. Another difference between men and women is that we take everything too personally. It's all too exciting for us. It's about finding a balance and the men seem to succeed better and still think that boys spend more time together off the field than women. "Ana continues: "It can be very difficult for us to support each other because the circuit can be very competitive. Something has changed since I started myself, the girls seem more relaxed, but nothing compared to the equivalent male.


 ""Novak, for example, spends a lot of time with the boys. It is a shame in a way, we spend so much time together around the world. We travel and work together, but we do not know each other and do not spend our time talking about fashion or another as do the other girls. "


Source: www.tennisworldiItalia.com

Rolex Photo shoot 2011

Source: Official Website

Ana from her Facebook

I’ve just met with my coach Nigel to talk more about my 2012 schedule. We’re both very excited and can’t wait for the new season to begin. Starting in Australia is a big pleasure for me, but as we went through the calendar I looked forward to many other tournaments. Which tournaments are you most looking forward to? The French Open and Wimbledon are always high on my list, but I love Indian Wells too : )

Facebook

Ana wearing her french Open 2012 Dress

Points to defend in 2012 season

The 2011 season is over and we prepare for 2012 season, Ana defends 2352 pts for20 tournaments played.For Sure the new season we'll have new joys and surprises so I'm anxious.


1st - Australian Open - 5 points to defend
QF - Pattaya City - 70 points to defend
1st - Dubai Duty Free Champioship (Dubai) - 1 point to defend
QF - BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) - 250 points to defend
 4th - Sony Ericsson Open 2011 (Miami) - 140 points to defend
1st - Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open (Madrid) - 5 points to defend
2nd -internazionali BNL'italia (Rome)  - 70 points to defend
1st - Roland Garros - 5 points to defend
 SF - Aegon Classic (Birmingham) - 130 points to defend
 2nd - Aegon Internacional (Eastbourne) - 60 points to defend
3rd - Wimbledon - 160 points to defend
1st - Bank Of the West Classic (Stanford) - 1 point to defend
SF - Mercury Insurance Open  (Calrsbad) - 200 points to defend
 3rd - Rogers Cup (Toronto) - 125 points to defend
2nd - (The Western & Southern Open Cincinnati) - 70 points to defend
 4th - US Open - 280 points to defend
3rd - Toray Pan Pacific Open (Tokyo) - 125 points to defend
QF - China Open - (Beijing) - 250 points to defend
2nd - BGL BNP Paribas luxemburg open (Luxemburg) - 30 points to defend
Title - Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions 2011(Bali) - 375 points to defend 

Analysis of the 2011 season

Ana started the year in Perth, where she participated in the Hopman Cup with fellow Serb and childhood friend Novak Djokovic. The duo had great success together, but unfortunately was forced to pull out of the final after Ana had suffered an abdominal injury. This same injury forced Ana to withdraw from Sydney and severely hampered her preparation for the Australian Open. In Melbourne, she exited in the 1st round in a heartbreaking loss to Ekaterina Makarova, in which she lost in the 3rd set 10-8, after saving several match points. The disappointment carried on into February with a 1st round loss to Patty Schnyder in Dubai and then re-aggravated her abdominal injury which forced her to withdraw from Doha. Two months into the season, everything was looking down instead of up.











Ana dumped Antonio Van Grichen as coach and then returned to the Adidas Players Development Program where she worked under the guidance of Darren Cahill. She started to show improvements in her results at Indians Wells, where she was a former champion and runner up. She reached the quarterfinals after defeating Serbian rival Jelena Jankovic in the 4th round, in what was one of Ana’s better performances of the year. However, despite her draw opening up, she lost to Marion Bartoli in the quarterfinals, not playing anywhere close to her best tennis. She then moved onto Miami, where once again looked primed to reach the quarterfinals. In the 4th round against Kim Clijsters, Ana held a 5-1 lead in the 3rd set and got to 0-40 on Kim’s serve. Despite having 5 match points in total, Ana was unable to close the deal and lost in quite possibly the most heart breaking fashion of her entire career. As a die-hard Ana fan, that match took several days to get over. I felt like that match really hurt her confidence heading into the clay season. A win here, would had been huge.












The clay season turned out to be something to forget. In May, Ana recorded a first round loss in Madrid to Bethanie Mattek-Sands, a 2nd round loss to Yanina Wickmayer in Rome and then another heartbreaking 1st round loss to Johanna Larsson at the French Open. Clay, which had been Ana’s best surface in the past, and Roland Garros, home to many great memories including her first and only major win back in 2008, became a nightmare for Ana in 2011.












Grass was a little bit better experience for Ana. She reached the semi’s in Birmingham, before losing to Daniela Hantuchova. She scored a victory over Julia Goerges in the 1st round in Eastbourne, before going out to Venus Williams in the following round. At Wimbledon, Ana breazed through the first two rounds before falling to Petra Cetkovska. Still, it was another disappointing performance at a major for Ana, and her season thus was a disappointment as well. She needed a change, and she went out and hired Nigel Sears away from the LTA and rehired former fitness trainer Scott Byrnes.












After a 1st round exit to Ayumi Morita in Stanford, Ana got revenge the following week in San Diego where she had a great run to the semi-finals, after defeating Shuai Peng in the quarters. She eventually lost to Vera Zvonareva, but played fabulous tennis in the process, taking the 1st set. She showed in only her 2nd tournament with Nigel as her coach, flashes of brilliance which gave her fans hope heading into the 2nd portion of the season. She wasn’t able to sustain it though in Toronto and Cincinnati where she exited both early.











At this point, Ana was entering the part of the year where she had tons of points to defend. Given her erratic play, it seemed as if it was almost a foregone conclusion that she would suffer some sort on ranking drop between the US Open and the end of the season. She first had to defend her 4th round points at the US Open, which she did after a first round win over Ksenia pervak, a 2nd round walkover and a 3rd round win over American Sloane Stephens in what was Ana’s first match on Arthur Ashe at night in her career. She went on to lose to Serena Williams in the 4th round, despite playing well and making the match far more competitive than any one had expected. All in all, she defended her 4th round points, which at that point, was all one could ask for.















Ana then proceeded into the fall season where she captured a couple of victories in Tokyo, then reaching the quarterfinals in Beijing defeating the likes of Kuznetsova and Zvonareva on the way, playing some of her best tennis of the season. Ana was forced to withdraw from the quarterfinals against Agnieszka Radwanska due to a lower back injury. However, she once again successfully defended her points. Despite being treated for a bad back, Ana decided to play Luxembourg anyways after getting approval from her doctors. Her stay there didn’t last long, going out to Anne Keothavong, a former pupil of Nigel Sears.














Ana’s season came down to one final tournament; Bali. Here, she defeated Roberta Vinci, Nadia Petrova and Anabel Medina Garrigues on her way to her 2nd stright title in Indonesia. She looked like Ana of 2007/2008 with some vintage forehand winners and all around good play. Thus Ana ended what was a disappointing season on a high note, giving us fans hope for 2012. She was able to defend most of her points and finish the season ranked #22 in the WTA rankings. Pretty remarkable given the amount of points she had to defend and how she played through the first 7 months of the year.

Skysports Interview

Q: Did you manage to relax and enjoy some time off?

AI: I did, thanks. I was with my boyfriend Adam Scott at two of his golf tournaments. The President's Cup in Melbourne was a lot of fun, because players' partners were really made to feel like we were part of the team. It was both relaxing and exciting at the same time - relaxing because I could forget about tennis, and exciting because it was a serious competition.

Q: You must be in the middle of your pre-season training by now, can you me about your daily regime?

AI: As always, I started with fitness only: usually two sessions a day, one cardio and one weights session. In the beginning we were working on muscle growth, but then we moved onto increasing my strength.

Q: What other activities, aside from tennis, have you been doing?

AI: We've been taking full advantage of the beautiful surroundings in Australia! We are outdoors every day. So far I have been running along the coast of Queensland, "stair climbing" to the top of amazing views, stand-up paddling in the rivers, surfing at the beach, circuit-training in the parks...I also did some surf life-saving activities at the beach. Now when I list everything, it doesn't sound so hard.

Q: What are you most looking forward to about the 2012 season?

AI: I always look forward to the Grand Slams more than any event, so they are a big part of my thoughts, and I will build my schedule with them in mind. But 2012 is also an Olympic year, and that will be very special for me, because it will be my first Olympics. I'm really looking forward to it.

Source: www1.skysports.com

Photos of year Part Two Who is your Favourite?

Displayed here, in chronological order, are some of our favourite off-court images of Ana taken during 2011:
*adidas promotional event in Melbourne, January













*Serving food to orphaned children, prior to the PTT Pataya Open in Thailand, January



















*London studio photo shoot, February






















*John Russo's cover portrait, March



















*Photo shoot with John Russo at Red Rock, Las Vegas, March


















*WTA "Strong is Beautiful" marketing campaign, March
















*Arriving at the BNP Paribas Open player party in Indian Wells, March

















*Playing tennis on the roof of the Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris, May
















*Arriving at the Wimbledon Player Party in London, June




















*Addressing young readers at a bookstore in Stanford, July