TERESA: You had dreamed of being the best player in the world since you turned pro. That’s a lofty goal and big burden to live up to. How did you accomplish it?
ANA: It's always been my goal to be the No. 1 player in the world. I never put a time limit on it. In the past I maybe thought too much about rankings and put pressure on myself, but I was able to get to the top by relaxing and not thinking about it so much. I also worked very hard.”

TERESA: Since turning pro in 2003, what events or matches stand out as some of your personal favorite highlights?
ANA: There have been a few turning points in my career. The first one was in 2004 when I won all my tournaments in the ITF circuit. Then, later that year, I had a great match with Venus (Williams) in Zurich. I lost in two tiebreaks but had many set points. The next year, I reached the quarterfinals of the French Open, which was another important moment for me. In 2006, I won my first Tier I title in Montreal. Last year, Berlin was a very important tournament for me, because I reached the top 10 during the event, and I also won it. Then a few weeks later I reached my first Grand Slam final in Paris.

TERESA: By the time you reached the Roland Garros final you had a 26-6 match win-loss record for the year. After that win you became the seventh-youngest player to reach No. 1 since Tour rankings were created in 1975, joining Martina Hingis, Monica Seles, Tracy Austin, Steffi Graf, Maria Sharapova, and Kim Clijsters.
ANA: “It's an amazing feeling - they are all great players.”

TERESA: You look more fit than ever, really leaned up over the past couple of years since you’ve started working with Scott Byrnes for strength and conditioning. How has his coaching helped you?
ANA: Scott has done a great job. I've become much fitter and improved my movement so much. Now I can play long points on clay, for example, and I can get to a lot more balls. But I can still improve in this area.

TERESA: Is there one player in particular that you admire?
ANA: Roger Federer. I like the way he acts on and off the court. He's so professional in the way he plays and all the things he does, in interviews, and everything else.

TERESA: I’ve heard you enjoy Greek Mythology. What’s your attraction?
ANA: Yeah, I do like Greek Mythology. I find it very interesting - the stories are captivating, but I haven't read all that much.

TERESA: Which God or Goddess do you think represents you most, or that you would want to be like?
ANA: If I had to choose, I would most like to be like Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom.

TERESA: That doesn’t surprise me, considering your parents are academically driven - your mother a lawyer and father a businessman. And, you speak fluent English, Serbian, and some Spanish!
ANA: Education has always been very important to me. For me, it's essential to have a life outside of tennis.

Name: Ana Ivanovic
Born: November 6, 1987
Birthplace: Belgrade, Serbia
Residence: Basel, Switzerland
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 152 lbs

Started Playing: 5 Years Old
Turned Pro: August 2003
Plays: Right-handed
Backhand: Two
Singles Titles: 7
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 1
Prize Money: 5,630,000

“I am beginning to understand the pressure that Roger Federer must experience every time he goes onto court. I admire him so much for the way he handles it. With time,
I am sure I will learn how to deal with the expect-ation that comes with being no. 1. "

TERESA: Are you still studying finance at
Singidunum-FEFA?
ANA: Yeah, it’s a private university where you take exams online. For the past year, I’ve been studying finance that will help me practically with my tennis career, and maybe afterwards too - I might go into some kind of business.

TERESA: You’re still very young in your career and your fans hope you compete for many more years. Both you and Justine Henin started playing when you were young. What do you think about her early retirement?
ANA: I was sad to see Justine go because she was a great champion and I always looked forward to playing her. It was a great challenge. It was a special moment when I received the trophy from her in Paris, and I really wish her all the best.

TERESA: Are you doing anything to prevent
“burn-out?”
ANA: I'm not worried about this “burn-out.” I will be
playing tennis for as long as I enjoy it. I love it the same way as when I was a kid, and I think I've made some good decisions with my schedule, so that I have enough time to relax and recover.

TERESA: You’ve described yourself as strong-willed and extremely competitive, yet with a sensitive side. What do you mean when you say “sensitive?”
ANA:Being sensitive means that I get upset and cry quite a lot, but that's okay. It’s my determination that helps me a lot on the court.

TERESA: When you envision your next 10 years, what do you see with your tennis career, romantic relationships, marriage, and children?
ANA:It's so hard to say. I'd like to be married, because having a family of my own is very important to me. I'd also like to do some more studying, probably at the university this time instead of reading books when I am on the road.

TERESA: What would fans be most surprised to learn about your life?
ANA:Some people might be surprised to see how much I am like them. Sometimes people think that professional tennis is very glamorous. For sure it's a great life and we are lucky to have so many interesting opportunities, but our time at tournaments probably isn't so interesting. I spend most of my free time relaxing in my room, watching DVDs, or listening to music.

TERESA: With your success, you have the ability and potential obligation to make a positive impact on children and influence their lives, in particular young girls. How do you feel about being a role model and what is your message?
ANA:It's a great honor, and I take it seriously. It's important to set a good example to kids, because I know that they look up to us and they want to be like us. The most important thing I would say to kids who want to be professional tennis players is to just enjoy your tennis. If it isn't fun, then really you shouldn't be doing it. And also, education is very important - you should have a life away from tennis too.

TERESA: So, now that you are one of the best in the world, where do you go from here?
ANA:There's still so much I want to achieve, for example winning all the Grand Slams and the Olympics. I am still just 20 years old, and I have a lot to learn. I know that I will make mistakes now and then, but as long as I can learn from each experience, I am not worried about that.