Tennis is a very demanding and tiring sport. Professionals always need to be at their best to maintain their stand. Further, tennis ties up its athletes in a hectic schedule, giving just a week’s time to take care of personal responsibilities. Therefore, when players step out of the sport, they walk on new paths and have new realizations. For Ana Ivanovic, it was motherhood.

The former tennis ace who faced several ups and downs in her career was taken aback by the hard work motherhood requires. She, in a recent interview, shared her experiences.

Ana Ivanovic about being a mother

Ivanovic, while speaking for the Olympic Channel Podcast, opened up about her life as a mother. She said, “Being a mother has, of course, its beauties, but it also has its challenges.”

“For four years I didn’t really sleep. There are so many moments when you are just really exhausted and you are talking the edge of survival, and you’re like, how do I do it?” the former world no.1 shared.

Thereafter, she explained, “But then you really pull from that, what you had in the past, and how you pulled through tough moments and long matches and exhaustion. Of course, you don’t have the same stress like you had when you played. It’s very much like one smile and your world melts.” 

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In the summer of 2016, the 34-year-old tied the knot with Germany’s legendary soccer player, Bastian Schweinsteiger. They exchanged vows surrounded by family and friends in the canals of Venice. Thereafter, in March 2018, they welcomed their firstborn, Luka Schweinsteiger Ivanović.

Read more: ‘Collecting Experience and Fulfilling Your Dreams’ – Ana Ivanovic Reminisces About Her French Open Triumph

Then in 2019 arrived Leon Schweinsteiger Ivanović. Thus completing the sports couple’s happy and beautiful family of four. Ivanovic is currently focusing on her family. However, fans expect to see more indulgence from her end in the sport soon.

Ivanovic’s tennis career and achievements

The Serbian tennis ace turned pro in the year 2003 and climbed to the ranking of World No.1 in 2008. She claimed the crown with the help of French Open victory against the Russian professional Dinara Safina that year.

Watch this story: Novak Djokovic’s epic finals against Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Andy Murray, Wilfried Tsonga at the Australian Open

Further, Ivanovic, who held the WTA No.1 ranking for a total of 12 weeks, secured 15 singles titles to her name. Also, she made up to the finals of the Australian Open, semifinals of Wimbledon and quarterfinals of the US Open before retiring in 2016.