ID :
96520
Thu, 12/24/2009 - 03:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/96520
The shortlink copeid
Ivanovic happy to be 'Aussie Ana'
(AAP) For years, the tennis public Down Under embraced "Aussie Kim".
While Kim Clijsters will no doubt again be warmly welcomed back as she continues her incredible comeback, another tennis ace wants to become an adopted Australian - starting at the upcoming Brisbane International.
Indeed former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic reckons "Aussie Ana" has a real ring to it.
"Yeah, I would be okay with being called that," she laughed.
The Serbian glamour girl has not exactly been snubbed by Australian crowds in the past.
But her popularity is expected to soar even further Down Under after hooking up with
local golfer Adam Scott.
And it sounds like the feeling is mutual.
So much so that she will be spending Christmas and the New Year on Queensland's
Sunshine Coast with the Ivanovic and Scott families as she battles back from her
worst year yet.
"I really love it here, I always look forward to playing here," Ivanovic said on the
Sunshine Coast on Wednesday.
"The crowd is very warm, and they are very knowledgeable about tennis.
"I had great support last time when I made the (Australian Open) finals.
"I hope I can perform well again and get that crowd support again."
Support is something Ivanovic has needed plenty of in 2009.
After enjoying No.1 status this year, Ivanovic fell to 21st by the time she
succumbed to injuries from "over training" in October.
In all, it was a "very frustrating" year for Ivanovic - at least her new beau could
understand.
Coincidentally Scott also had a shocker - but Ivanovic said they would both emerge
"stronger" from the experience.
"We both had a hard year I suppose, but we really support each other," she said.
"And it's great to have another person in the stands knowing what you are going
through without words being spoken.
"That helped me get through it."
And Scott - Ivanovic was on course when he bounced back big time by taking out the
Australian Open recently.
Ivanovic is not predicting immediate success in her first tournament in four months
- the Brisbane International (January 3-10).
But already feels as though she has accomplished a lot.
"It wasn't easy but still I learned a lot, it made me a lot stronger," she said of
her horror year.
"You realise when you are on a winning run you maybe take it for granted.
"I think I start to appreciate it a bit more.
"I know now I will never let myself got down that far again with injuries - I know
how to prevent them in the future."
Reuniting with the coach who helped guide her to the 2008 French Open victory - Sven
Groeneveld - has helped her refocus for what looms as a big 2010.
"I have got the right people now who are going to help me get on track," she said.
"My fitness is coming together, I have a great team around me at the moment.
"I would love to win another grand slam but I am looking at the big picture.
"I am just working hard but I also want to get back into the top 10."
While Kim Clijsters will no doubt again be warmly welcomed back as she continues her incredible comeback, another tennis ace wants to become an adopted Australian - starting at the upcoming Brisbane International.
Indeed former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic reckons "Aussie Ana" has a real ring to it.
"Yeah, I would be okay with being called that," she laughed.
The Serbian glamour girl has not exactly been snubbed by Australian crowds in the past.
But her popularity is expected to soar even further Down Under after hooking up with
local golfer Adam Scott.
And it sounds like the feeling is mutual.
So much so that she will be spending Christmas and the New Year on Queensland's
Sunshine Coast with the Ivanovic and Scott families as she battles back from her
worst year yet.
"I really love it here, I always look forward to playing here," Ivanovic said on the
Sunshine Coast on Wednesday.
"The crowd is very warm, and they are very knowledgeable about tennis.
"I had great support last time when I made the (Australian Open) finals.
"I hope I can perform well again and get that crowd support again."
Support is something Ivanovic has needed plenty of in 2009.
After enjoying No.1 status this year, Ivanovic fell to 21st by the time she
succumbed to injuries from "over training" in October.
In all, it was a "very frustrating" year for Ivanovic - at least her new beau could
understand.
Coincidentally Scott also had a shocker - but Ivanovic said they would both emerge
"stronger" from the experience.
"We both had a hard year I suppose, but we really support each other," she said.
"And it's great to have another person in the stands knowing what you are going
through without words being spoken.
"That helped me get through it."
And Scott - Ivanovic was on course when he bounced back big time by taking out the
Australian Open recently.
Ivanovic is not predicting immediate success in her first tournament in four months
- the Brisbane International (January 3-10).
But already feels as though she has accomplished a lot.
"It wasn't easy but still I learned a lot, it made me a lot stronger," she said of
her horror year.
"You realise when you are on a winning run you maybe take it for granted.
"I think I start to appreciate it a bit more.
"I know now I will never let myself got down that far again with injuries - I know
how to prevent them in the future."
Reuniting with the coach who helped guide her to the 2008 French Open victory - Sven
Groeneveld - has helped her refocus for what looms as a big 2010.
"I have got the right people now who are going to help me get on track," she said.
"My fitness is coming together, I have a great team around me at the moment.
"I would love to win another grand slam but I am looking at the big picture.
"I am just working hard but I also want to get back into the top 10."
