During this week's UNICEF Open in 's-Hertogenbosh Ana was interviewed by Dutch broadcaster NOS.
Among other things, the former world No.1 was asked about her struggle for form in recent months, and how she has coped with her fall in ranking.
"I put a lot of expectations on myself because in some ways I'm a perfectionist and I want to do everything 100 per cent, and if something is not going the way I was imagining it would go it's a big issue, and then I get down on myself," she said.
"I think it's important not to expect much, to try to stay in the moment and try to work hard."
An innately positive person, Ana was able to see one consolation that has come as a result of her "tough times."
She revealed: "It's kind of hard but actually it's a good time because you can learn who your real friends are. And you do. In these tough times the people that still believe in you stick around you. It's huge."
