Ivanovic Has A New Coach And A Goal Of Top 10 Ranking

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 26th November 2013

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

Ivanovic Has A New Coach And A Goal Of Top 10 Ranking

epa03718085 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia reacts during her 1st round match against Petra Martic of Croatia at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 26 May 2013. EPA/YOAN VALAT |

Ana Ivanovic is trying not to let the pressure of once standing atop the WTA rankings get in the way of what the Serb hopes will be a return to top form in 2014.

The 2008 French Open champion, who achieved WTA No.1 after winning her only grand slam title, is working with a new coach and is determined to rise back to into the elite from her current 16th status.

“That my main goal at the moment, but I’m still quite far from achieving it,” she said in the run-up to an exhibition next week in Bogata against Maria Sharapova. “I need to be able to beat the top players.”

Ivanovic especially regrets missing a chance last summer in Toronto, when a third-round win over China’s Li Na would have sent her into the top 10 once again, “I played a great match but I missed a big chance to beat her. These are the kind of matches I have to start winning, in order to get back in the top 10. And it’s not getting any easier: there are many good young players around.”

The 25-year-old also said that she feels the need to prove herself on the big stage once again, even if her Roland Garros title will soon be six years in the past. “You have proved to yourself, and to everyone else, that you are capable of achieving it, so the expectation increases.

“No matter how much belief you have in yourself, it is only when you achieve your goals, like winning a Grand Slam, that you prove to yourself how good you are. Pressure from the media increases because once you win a Grand Slam you become a contender at future tournaments.”

Ivanovic will start her 2014 season in Brisbane, beginning on December 29.

Topics: 10sballs, Ana Ivanovic, Li Na, Maria Sharapova, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Wta