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Newly retired Ana Ivanovic has insisted that her decision to quit the sport was the right choice after struggling with both mental and physical issues in recent years.
On Wednesday, the former Grand Slam champion announced her retirement in a video uploaded to her Facebook account. It brought to an end to her 13-year senior career, in which she became the first Serbian woman (since the country’s independence) to win a grand slam title at the 2008 French Open.
“I can only play if I am up to my own high standards and I can no longer do that, so it’s time to move on.” Ivanovic said about her retirement.
Since the announcement, the former world No.1 has received thousands of tributes from fellow tennis players and fans. Those tributes have highlighted Ivanovic’s popularity in the sport, where she has become well known for her infectious smile and polite manner.
The ending of Ivanovic’s career was marred by an injury-infested 2016, where she could only reach one tournament semifinal on the tour. Suffering a shock first round exit at the US Open, her 48th consecutive grand slam appearance, it was her performance at the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) that decided her future.
“The last few years have been a struggle with injury,” Ivanovic told The Times newspaper on Saturday. “It was always a fight coming back and so much work on the court, off the court, and then not sometimes being in the best shape.
“For me, the IPTL (International Premier Tennis League which hosted events in Singapore and India recently) was a last test. I didn’t have the feeling in my body and in my heart that I should push more. It’s never easy to step back from something you love, but I wanted it to remain my love rather than something that I have to do or end up despising because it hurt.”
Lifting the Roland Garros trophy in 2008 and spending 12 weeks as world number one that same year, Ivanovic was tipped to become a tennis heavyweight. Those expectations failed to become a reality as she wrestled with consistency in her game throughout the rest of her roller coaster career.
I think it’s hard to say that someone has overachieved or underachieved,” said Ivanovic. “Even though I look back and think maybe I could have done a little bit more, it all happens for a reason.”
It is unclear as to what life beyond tennis will feature for Ivanovic. She has already stated that she intends to explore potential activities in beauty, business and fashion as well as becoming a ‘healthy living’ ambassador. On the other hand, Ivanovic has stated one thing she doesn’t intend to do.
“I do not have ambitions of coming back as a coach,” she said. “I’m really happy with the career I’ve had. Now it’s time to try different things.”
During her competitive career, Ivanovic won a total of 15 WTA titles and earned $15,510,787 in prize money.