As former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic rediscovers her winning touch on court at the US Open, the 2012 quarter-finalist is grateful for the influence of fellow Serb and good friend Novak Djokovic on her game.

The pair played the mixed teams Hopman Cup in 2011, with Ivanovic recalling the time her compatriot made her dance on court with him to the Gangnam style pop song. “I was so embarrassed.  He knew it.  That’s why he did it,” she said with a slight cringe. “He has embarrassed me a few times, trying to imitate me.”

Ivanovic said that the dedicated Djokovic has an attitude to the sport which has helped her as well. “It’s great to see him do so well, it’s an inspiration.  And for many, many kids in Serbia as well.  He brought a new image to our country… in some degree we all did.

“It’s so good to see him here at the top of the game.  We’ve known each other since we were four.  I didn’t even play tennis at the time.  I think he was just starting. We shared lot of fun moments.  Lots of tournaments we played under 10, under 12 in Serbia.  We used to play hide and seek.  You play two, three matches a day.  In between you have nothing to do so you play games.”

1. 10sBalls_com says:

   September 1, 2013 at 4:24 pm

   Ana Ivanovic Rediscovers Her Winning Touch – http://t.co/eJfMijjtdH @AnaIvanovic #tennis #USOpen @usopen