This year’s US Open will be a tournament to forget for former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic and Great Britain’s Heather Watson.
29th seed Ivanovic produced a costly 41 unforced errors as she crashed out to Denisa Allertova 7-6(4), 6-1, in the first round. Flushing Meadows is now the fourth consecutive tournament where the Serbian has crashed out in the first round. Ivanovic’s last win on the tour occurred over two months ago at the Mallorca Open.
“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.” Ivanovic said shortly after her loss.
Suffering her third first round exit in New York since 2009, concerns has been raised about the durability of the 28-year-old. Since the clay court season, Ivanovic has been troubled by inflammation in her wrist. The recent series of setbacks might push Ivanovic to the idea of retirement, however, the former world No.1 has stated that she still has unfinished business on the tour.
“No, not at all. I just need to really see why this is happening,” she said when asked about retiring.
“I mean I 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.”
“I feel like I have the potential and game, but it hasn’t really been coming together. I had four people travelling with me trying to make sure I’m on the right path and doing the right things.
“Before when I travelled with one or two people I was doing much better. These are the things I have to think about.”
Watson to undergo tests
Ivanovic wasn’t the only player to suffer disappointment on the second day of the tournament. Great Britain’s Heather Watson struggled with her health as she crashed out of world No.165 Richel Hogenkamp 6-2, 7-5.
Experiencing breathing difficulties, back pain and a fever during her match, fears are brewing that Watson might once again be suffering from glandular fever. The 24-year-old was affected by the illness throughout 2013 and slipped to 162nd in the world.
“It was horrible to play. I was just very ill,” she said. “I’ve had a fever for the last three days but playing in this heat is almost impossible when you feel that bad. I was struggling to breathe and my back was just getting [sore].”
“I don’t really know exactly what it is but I’ve gone to see the doctor and I’m going to get some blood tests done and try and figure what it was.”
The severity of Watson’s illness was apparent at the end of the match after a tournament doctor had to carry her bag off the court for her.
Glandular fever, known by some as the ‘kissing disease’, is a infectious viral disease. There are different levels of severity regarding the illness and in worst case scenarios it can be career-ending for athletes. Robin Soderling and Mario Ancic both ended their careers due to the effects of it.
