Weighty Issues
Thus far, Jelena Jankovic has had a season and year riddled with lackluster results.
The Serb lost in the fourth round of Roland Garros to Sorana Cirstea, 3–6, 6–0, 9–7, followed by a third round loss at Wimbledon to qualifier Melanie Oudin, 7-6, 5-7, 2-6.
On several occasions throughout the year, the former World No. 1 said that her heavier frame, a result of overtraining, was negatively affecting her game. However, a new excuse surfaced after her match with Oudin that raised eyebrows.
After narrowly winning the first set against Oudin, an animated Jankovic turned to the skies, sighed and said, “Thank you.” Seconds later, the Serbian had collapsed and was surrounded by a team of doctors.
“I felt really dizzy, and I thought that I was going to end up in the hospital. I started to shake. I was losing my consciousness,” said Jankovic. “It was really a strange feeling. I was scared and I started to cry.”
The warm temperatures were thought to have been to blame.
“I was feeling quite weak... I didn't have the power in the shots. It was very difficult for me to play in these circumstances,” she said.
Then an unusually timid Jelena elaborated on the “circumstances.”
“It's some woman problems, as well,” she said softly. “It's not easy being a woman sometimes. All these things happen. What can I do?”
Jelena is not alone. Research concludes that cyclic hormone changes are individual and are not necessarily predictable.
“I never had a problem like that in the past. It was my first-time experience,” she concluded.
During a time when medical timeouts are frowned upon, some spectators questioned the validity of her gender-related condition.
Debatably, a player’s personal details may be best kept out of the press room and left in the locker room.
