I HAVE FAITH
Interview with Serbian tennis player Ana Ivanovic
Interview with Serbian tennis player Ana Ivanovic
After beating Magdalena Rybarikova in the first round of the 2009 Rogers Cup in Toronto, Ana Ivanovic went on to face Lucie Safarova in the second. Ana won the first set 6-3 but lost the next two by scores of 7-5 and 6-3 respectively and was eliminated. I had the chance to talk with Ana in the Rogers media room right after the match. Ana talked about her injury problems, her new coaches/coaching methods and her plans to reach the number one spot once again.
|
Djuradj Vujcic: Tell me Ana, she (Safarova) had some sort of different service that was really tricky on your left-handed backhand. You didn’t manage to return it to her with long balls so she seemed to “attack” you with the long ball.
Ana Ivanovic: Yes, there was a big difference between the first and second service. The second service, as you already noticed, was very slow and weak so I was the one that had to use all my strength. I didn’t have any moment, I just wanted to continue but had some problems. Not in controlling but in controlling the length of our back and forth actions. That didn’t last long especially in the third set and she used that to her advantage. But yeah, that was a big, big difference.
Djuradj Vujcic: Do you feel that that was maybe the turning point in the match?
Ana Ivanovic: Well, it was, yes. I had some chances at 4-2 – in the third set I had chances but she completely threw me out of the court. There were two times where I pretty much tried to go down the middle to not give her any chance at an angle shot. Both times I didn’t play it well and simply, in those important moments, she came up big. I literally felt that she was playing an all or nothing type of game in those important moments (of the match).
Ana Ivanovic: Yes, there was a big difference between the first and second service. The second service, as you already noticed, was very slow and weak so I was the one that had to use all my strength. I didn’t have any moment, I just wanted to continue but had some problems. Not in controlling but in controlling the length of our back and forth actions. That didn’t last long especially in the third set and she used that to her advantage. But yeah, that was a big, big difference.
Djuradj Vujcic: Do you feel that that was maybe the turning point in the match?
Ana Ivanovic: Well, it was, yes. I had some chances at 4-2 – in the third set I had chances but she completely threw me out of the court. There were two times where I pretty much tried to go down the middle to not give her any chance at an angle shot. Both times I didn’t play it well and simply, in those important moments, she came up big. I literally felt that she was playing an all or nothing type of game in those important moments (of the match).
|
Djuradj Vujcic: It seemed as if she played eight or nine games very well. She played seven in a row...
Ana Ivanovic: She almost played the entire match without a single mistake.
Djuradj Vujcic: She played very well but you shouldn’t get too down as you also played well.
Ana Ivanovic: No, I played well. I don’t get the feeling that I made some huge mistakes but rather, she played very well. There were moments that I could have maybe taken advantage of. But all in all, I’m satisfied with how I played. I think the match was on a high level and I’m aware of some things that I’ve been working on and that the realization of those things were there. I was way more aggresive and I managed to return many balls and to stay in the point and to play with a lot of drop shots and deep balls so all in all, I’m happy. My service was relatively good to me but I do have to work on the speed of my service.
Ana Ivanovic: She almost played the entire match without a single mistake.
Djuradj Vujcic: She played very well but you shouldn’t get too down as you also played well.
Ana Ivanovic: No, I played well. I don’t get the feeling that I made some huge mistakes but rather, she played very well. There were moments that I could have maybe taken advantage of. But all in all, I’m satisfied with how I played. I think the match was on a high level and I’m aware of some things that I’ve been working on and that the realization of those things were there. I was way more aggresive and I managed to return many balls and to stay in the point and to play with a lot of drop shots and deep balls so all in all, I’m happy. My service was relatively good to me but I do have to work on the speed of my service.
|
Djuradj Vujcic: Let’s talk a little more about that service. Was it short? Also, do you work on your toss?
Ana Ivanovic: I worked a lot on changing my service. The week before last I changed my service meaning I shortened my stride because of my arm. My old service caused me a lot of problems when raising my hand so I had to shorten that stride and raise my hand right away because it’s easier and it’s less of a stride. That’s why I changed that and I’ve been working a lot on it so I can be my old self.
Djuradj Vujcic: It seems as if you don’t have a straight service any more and your new service is very strong and precise.
Ana Ivanovic: Yes it is, I have faith in my second service. As you already noticed, that first service is... well I’m working on it but I simply get the feeling that there are a lot of things in my game that I’d like to work on and get better at. I’m working on a lot of things so it’s hard to fix everything at once but the majority of my game I’ve fixed and I feel much better and much more sure in myself on the court.
Ana Ivanovic: I worked a lot on changing my service. The week before last I changed my service meaning I shortened my stride because of my arm. My old service caused me a lot of problems when raising my hand so I had to shorten that stride and raise my hand right away because it’s easier and it’s less of a stride. That’s why I changed that and I’ve been working a lot on it so I can be my old self.
Djuradj Vujcic: It seems as if you don’t have a straight service any more and your new service is very strong and precise.
Ana Ivanovic: Yes it is, I have faith in my second service. As you already noticed, that first service is... well I’m working on it but I simply get the feeling that there are a lot of things in my game that I’d like to work on and get better at. I’m working on a lot of things so it’s hard to fix everything at once but the majority of my game I’ve fixed and I feel much better and much more sure in myself on the court.
|
Djuradj Vujcic: I still have a question about your coaches. Who are your coaches now?
Ana Ivanovic: I’m now working with Sven (Groeneveld) and Darren. They’re in the Adidas team. They’re not only my coaches – they work with a lot of players. Darren works more often with the men but in general, both coaches are very good and I’m satisfied that I’m working with them.
Djuradj Vujcic: Do you ever miss out on having a coach that way?
Ana Ivanovic: How do you mean? You mean when I play against an Adidas player and I don’t have a coach?
Djuradj Vujcic: Yes.
Ana Ivanovic: No, I’ve gotten used to it already. It’s certainly not easy but simply, I have faith in them and faith in what we do on and off the court. I believe in what we do at practices, so it’s on me to find a way myself to win the match.
Ana Ivanovic: I’m now working with Sven (Groeneveld) and Darren. They’re in the Adidas team. They’re not only my coaches – they work with a lot of players. Darren works more often with the men but in general, both coaches are very good and I’m satisfied that I’m working with them.
Djuradj Vujcic: Do you ever miss out on having a coach that way?
Ana Ivanovic: How do you mean? You mean when I play against an Adidas player and I don’t have a coach?
Djuradj Vujcic: Yes.
Ana Ivanovic: No, I’ve gotten used to it already. It’s certainly not easy but simply, I have faith in them and faith in what we do on and off the court. I believe in what we do at practices, so it’s on me to find a way myself to win the match.
|
Djuradj Vujcic: Who is your fitness trainer?
Ana Ivanovic: As of now, I don’t have one.
Djuradj Vujcic: How is your week in regards to fitness training?
Ana Ivanovic: In regards to fitness, I’m currently working a lot on my recovery so that means stretching as I had a lot of injuries this year. All sorts of small injuries that constantly got me away from consistent work on the court. It would always be a few days until some minor pain so I was a little disappointed from that aspect so I’m now working on getting back into the rhythm of things.
Djuradj Vujcic: Which injuries were they?
Ana Ivanovic: This year I hurt my knee then my arm and now this injury in betwen my hamstring. That’s all something I worked on a lot and there are still a lot of things that I’d like to get better at in regards to recovery and stretching. It’s a lot of work (laughs). I feel that I’m on a good path and every match I’m playing better and better. This week I played both matches very well. I had a lot of chances but this is also a step forward for me and I’m not too worried about the result as it’s impossible to improve everything at once. I’m happy that an improvement is visible though and I’m aware that this recovery might last a little longer than expected.
________________
Interview conducted on August 20, 2009 by Djuradj Vujcic
________________
Photos by Richard Fisher
All rights reserved 2009. Copyright © Richard Fisher
________________
Published by Urban Book Circle on May 28, 2013
Urban Book Circle® (UBC)
Ana Ivanovic: As of now, I don’t have one.
Djuradj Vujcic: How is your week in regards to fitness training?
Ana Ivanovic: In regards to fitness, I’m currently working a lot on my recovery so that means stretching as I had a lot of injuries this year. All sorts of small injuries that constantly got me away from consistent work on the court. It would always be a few days until some minor pain so I was a little disappointed from that aspect so I’m now working on getting back into the rhythm of things.
Djuradj Vujcic: Which injuries were they?
Ana Ivanovic: This year I hurt my knee then my arm and now this injury in betwen my hamstring. That’s all something I worked on a lot and there are still a lot of things that I’d like to get better at in regards to recovery and stretching. It’s a lot of work (laughs). I feel that I’m on a good path and every match I’m playing better and better. This week I played both matches very well. I had a lot of chances but this is also a step forward for me and I’m not too worried about the result as it’s impossible to improve everything at once. I’m happy that an improvement is visible though and I’m aware that this recovery might last a little longer than expected.
________________
Interview conducted on August 20, 2009 by Djuradj Vujcic
________________
Photos by Richard Fisher
All rights reserved 2009. Copyright © Richard Fisher
________________
Published by Urban Book Circle on May 28, 2013
Urban Book Circle® (UBC)
