Following another disappointing first-round exit at the U.S. Open, this time at the hands of unseeded Czech Denisa Allertova, Ana Ivanovic addressed speculation regarding the possibility of hanging up her racquet in the coming months, and the disappointing year she’s had to overcome, one that has admittedly been overshadowed by a number of changes in her personal life.
Ivanovic Not Considering Retirement Despite Struggles in 2016
Addressing the press moments after her first round defeat to Allertova, Ivanovic confirmed she is not planning to hang up her racquet anytime soon, despite all the struggles she has faced in 2016.
“I just need to really see why is this happening, you know,” she admitted. “Because, I mean, I [have] had struggles throughout my career; I had some tough times. This is not the first time I’m going through this.”
“It just hurts because I know what I invested.”
In a season that has seen her drop outside of the world’s top 30 for the first time in nearly four years, Ivanovic now leaves New York on a five-match losing streak, the longest of her career. Admittedly frustrated with her form as of late, the former world number one has decided to take a step back and reassess her game, with the help of her team, to discover the source of her decline in form, which she attributes to a reoccurring inflamed left wrist and lack of confidence.
“You know, it’s been very frustrating that throughout the year, I felt like my forehand has actually been letting me down, and that’s something that’s my biggest strength,” she said. “I really feel like I have to, yeah, reassess, because like I said, I have been putting so many hours on court and in the gym, in particular, trying to get my body healthy.”
“Last year I ended up with [a] very, very bad back, and this year it hasn’t been coming back because I worked so hard at it. It’s just like I said, I haven’t been really rewarded for my hard work.”
“This is something that I have to sort of accept it and, you know, try to actually see why is that happening, you know, and what I can do differently.”
Ivanovic Still Hungry for Success
Despite her struggles in 2016, Ivanovic’s commitment to the game and willingness to step back and reassess all aspects of her game are clear indications that she still has the hunger to succeed and compete at a high level, amidst all of the frustration and disappointment she has faced this season.
When asked if she still has the hunger and the desire to return to the upper echelons of women’s tennis, Ivanovic responded, “Of course, that’s what we work for. I really feel like I have [the] talent to do that. You know, there is a lot of hard work and a lot of health as well involved. This is what I need to do.”
“I feel like I have been putting a lot of work on [the] court and in the gym over the year. It’s been very frustrating not getting anything in return because I really feel like I invested my heart and also the work.”
“You know, it's really disappointing in that way, so I really have to try and, you know, stay a little bit positive even if it’s very hard.”
