‘Really Emotional’ – Legendary Serbian Ana Ivanovic Discloses the Urge to Play Tennis Again After Attending French Open 2022

The Serbian tennis ace, Ana Ivanovic, retired in the year 2016. She claimed her first Grand Slam title in the year 2008 at the French Open after being the runner-up in the previous year. Further, she also had a run till the finals of the Australian Open in the same year. In the other two Grand Slams, Ivanovic reached the semifinals of Wimbledon and the quarterfinals of the US Open.

Even though she has dropped her racket, her love for the game is intact. Therefore, the Serb often travels to witness some high-caliber tussles in the sport. Recently, she gave attendance to the semifinals of the clay-court major in France.

Ana Ivanovic, a spectator at the French Open

After watching some splendid matches, Ivanovic later shared her experience with the media. She said, “Sometimes I feel like playing again, especially when I saw the semis here, the atmosphere. Also, it was really emotional when I listened to the anthem here. Memories from when our (Serbian) anthem was played here in Paris came back. “

Further, the former World No.1 added, “I follow tennis when I have time. But TV at home is always turned off because of the kids. We mostly spend our time with them and we enjoy together.”

The tournament hosted WTA finale recently in which the current World No.1  Iga Swiatek claimed her second French Open trophy. While in the men’s category, the Spanish Legend Rafael Nadal will seek his 22nd Grand Slam and 14th French Open title. He will be locking horns with the Norwegian tennis ace Casper Ruud on 5th May.

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In addition, the runner-up of the women’s category is worth mentioning. As she also broke some records on her way to the finals. The 18-year-old American, Coco Gauff, became the youngest player to reach the finals of a Grand Slam since Maria Sharapova in 2004.

Ivanovic agianst Maria Sharapova

Ivanovic had some great rivalries back in her days. One of the most famous ones is against the Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova. Both have held the ranking of World No.1 and are Grand Slam champions. However, the number of Grand Slam victories varies as Sharapova has five, and the Serb has one.

Further, they have clashed 14 times in their career, out of which the Russian has a lead of 10-4. Ivanovic was victorious at the semifinals of the 2007 French Open in which she eventually claimed the title.

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The rest of her three victories were at the 2007 Tokyo Open semifinals, the fourth round of the 2014 Rome Masters, and the 2014 Cincinnati Masters semifinals.