Shortly before she left for her off-season holiday at the end of 2009, Ana was interviewed by B92 television in Serbia. The following is a translated transcript of the interview with Biljana Sesevic:
Biljana Sesevic: [Voiceover] Ana Ivanovic is always first on every list of the most beautiful female athletes. She has won precious tennis trophies, but also the hearts of many. She hasn’t left anyone indifferent throughout her on-court performances. She coaxes a smile of many, a tear and broken heart of some, but embellishes the day of most. It is impossible to resist her charisma and beaming smile.
[Interview at Zira hotel]
BS: Ana, tennis has enabled you to travel all around the world. Where do you like most of all?
Ana: I am very lucky that tennis has opened those opportunities for me because I love travelling. Since when I was a kid, I loved going on summer and winter vacations. My favourite country is Australia, because I adore the beach and the sea.
BS: When playing a tournament, do you manage to see the sights of the city at all?
Ana: I try to. It depends on where I am and also on the schedule of the previous and following weeks. But I always try to see some sights, as I like to find out something about the country I am in.
BS: When you have time, do you choose shopping, good restaurants, or museums?
Ana: It depends. If it is a simple “museum or shopping” decision it would always be shopping. But, for example, when I was in Beijing I loved visiting The Great Wall of China and Forbidden City, so I would always choose that over shopping.
BS: Do you have time for nights out?
Ana: No, I am not that type. I don’t like going out to night clubs…but a bar or a restaurant certainly.
BS: Considering that you have many obligations and that you have achieved huge success, do you manage to have real, sincere female friends that you can sit with like this and chat?
Ana: It is very hard. I can count my real friends on my fingers. They are mostly here in Belgrade and they are people I have known since I was a child, friends I grew up with. It doesn’t matter if it was owing to tennis, or our parents knowing each other, but those are the ones I can always rely on.
BS: We see you very often that you play with many emotions, passion…there are some tears occasionally. Are you emotional off-the-court too?
Ana: Yes, I am very emotional. I think as much as it helped me, it obstructs me at times and I would love it if I wasn’t that emotional.
BS: Are you nervous before a match?
Ana: Usually yes, but it is a good thing, because when I am not nervous, I have never played well. So, a certain amount of nerves are always helpful.
BS: Before you step onto the court, do you pay attention to you how you look?
Ana: Before I step onto the court, when I prepare for the match, I fix my dress or outfit, but when I am on the court I forget about it.
BS: Do you put on some special jewelry, a watch, earrings, a charm…?
Ana: No, no, I don’t wear anything like that. When I play, I only wear earrings and that’s it. It always distracts me, whether it is a bracelet or necklace. I don’t like to wear anything such as that.
BS: You are one of the sexiest players…
Ana: Thanks.
BS: Do you see yourself that way?
Ana: No, not at all. I see myself completely differently. It is always strange when I see myself in a magazine or on television. I never think “this is me”; it is always someone else.
BS: How much do you pay attention to your look? Do you have some small “women’s rituals” that you normally do?
Ana: Nothing special. I love going shopping. When I have photo shoots, I always get my hair and make-up done and I love that, because I am not capable of doing it alone [laughs]!
BS: What is it that you especially like to wear? Where do you go shopping?
Ana: I prefer dresses. I have so many and that’s why I like summer, as I can always wear a dress and feel comfortable in it.
BS: The life of a tennis player is exhausting: you travel non-stop, you have little spare time…How hard it is for a female player to fall in love and maintain that relationship?
Ana: I don’t think it is harder than for any other person, one who don’t travel, because a relationship is based on real values; trust, sincere love and feelings.
BS: How hard it is to find the right guy, who is self-conscious, self-confident, someone who doesn’t have a complex about your success?
Ana: I think nowadays it is very hard to find, not only among us sportspeople, but also in everyday life, as it has changed a lot and some other [traditional] values have slightly deteriorated.
BS: That’s true. What kind of a man’s gesture would sweep you off your feet?
Ana: I love gentlemen and when a man has quiet confidence, simply when he is not too invasive. I don’t like men who invade too much and keep pursuing.
BS: Which means that they are subtle.
Ana: Yes.
BS: Many women, girls actually, dream of a prince on the white horse, a wedding-dress, a wedding itself. Do you think about it sometimes? I am sure this question is interesting to many men.
Ana: Surely. Like you said, every girl dreams of being a bride one day and to have her own family and so do I, but it is still far away.
BS: You are young.
Ana: Yes.
[Sony Ericsson “Never Miss A Shot” commercial is shown]
BS: You see, I have been given a dessert and you haven’t. Are you allowed to eat sweets? Do you eat cookies from time to time?
Ana: Yes, yes, I do. I love it when I come here, there’s a pancake with Eurocrem.
BS: Okay, shall we try?
Ana: Let’s do it!
BS: You surely won’t try a dessert?
Ana: No, no. Would you like some salad?
BS: This is great. Cheers.
Ana: Cheers. These cocktails are…There’s no alcohol.
BS: Non-alcoholic cocktails. No alcohol for the athletes?
Ana: No. By the way, my alcohol tolerance is low.
BS: You have to, that’s your lifestyle. Do you have a special diet or…?
Ana: No, no. I mean, I pay attention not to eat fried foods, but generally I eat everything. I miss Serbian cuisine…
BS: I believe so.
Ana: When I am in Belgrade, it is always grandmas and grandpas cooking…
BS: Could you imagine yourself one day with a family, a husband and children, and that you cook for them our domestic specialties?
Ana: For sure. I would love to have, as they say, a peaceful life one day, to spend time at home with my family and to cook.
BS: Do you have any idea what you will be doing when you retire?
Ana: I would love to stay in tennis circles, perhaps helping some juniors or a tennis centre. However, you never know where your life and career will take you.
BS: Yes, yes… When you are playing a match, how much attention do you pay to the supporters? Are the spectators important to you?
Ana: Certainly. It always helps when we have domestic supporters in the crowd, it rises your adrenaline and motivation, so it is always nice to see and hear the supporters.
BS: When the season is over, you all go to holidays. How do you like spending yours?
Ana: We travel so much that virtually I love just being at one place, having a rest. I had a chance to spend two weeks in Belgrade with family and friends and I relaxed completely and it was nice to come back to Belgrade for such a long time, for me (laughs).
BS: What is your hobby? What do you like doing when not playing tennis?
Ana: I love reading. I spend lots of time relaxing with a book. I love music and films. Lately I watched many movies and read many books.
BS: When you are in Serbia, you have obligations towards sponsors. Is it a relief, an enjoyment for you, or is it an obligation, as a part of your job, something that you have to do?
Ana: I needed some time to adapt to it as I didn’t understand why it is so important, for instance, to dedicate your time for an interview or sponsorship obligations. I realized it is an integral part of what I do and then I approach it with bigger positive energy.
BS: You have got a good co-operation with Zira and Verano Motors?
Ana: Yes, I do. I have great support from them. Verano has always been with me, this year when it was tough and when I didn’t play well, they were always there for me and it means a great deal.
BS: How do you like spending time when you are in Serbia?
Ana: I love seeing family and friends, because I miss them a lot. Especially, I didn’t spend much time over the last couple of years in Belgrade and when I am here, it is always for a few days and I am tired, exhausted and I wasn’t the best granddaughter and cousin indeed. Rarely…
BS: When it’s your birthday, who is the first to remember? Apart from parents and a brother?
Ana: Relatives. An aunt is always among the first to call.
BS: Ana, thank you so much. We wish you lots of success and to have a nice rest.
Ana: Thanks, the same to you.
[Toronto Street Tennis match is shown]
