You never know where the future will take you.
— Ana Ivanovic
Tennis has given me so many opportunities, and I feel very lucky to have achieved whatever I have, especially coming from a country that does not have a great history in the game.
When we were kids, I remember we'd use lemon in our hair and go into the sun, hoping it would make us blond. Obviously, I have very dark hair and olive skin, and when I was a kid, I wanted to be blond, of course. It never worked.
I have always liked my hair when it's braided, because if I don't, it kind of runs in my eyes when I hit.
It's not good to stretch when you're cold. Get your heart rate up, and once you finish, take time to stretch and let your body calm down.
I'm very determined, and I know I can achieve, so I don't let little setbacks put me down.
For my fifth birthday, I got a small tennis racket. That's how I started.
I lift weights. I'll do a lot of running, a lot of cardio and strengthening. I use my body weight, a TRX sometimes. A lot of it is endurance.
I love, love, love my grandparents.
I'm very easy-going off court, but I really want to win once I'm walking on to the court.
I always keep my makeup really simple.
I love to run. It's how I clear my head.
Everyone wants to be happy - people find happiness in different ways. While you want to pursue your career 100 percent, I think it is very hard to give 100 percent in something else. It's important to find this balance, and priorities change throughout life.
For me, it is important to do well in what I'm doing, to achieve the goals I have for myself.
When someone recognises you or wants an interview, you think, 'You know, maybe I've done something good. Maybe I have a good result.' So if you see it in that way, it becomes a lot easier, and you realise that, actually, you're there and you've succeeded because of the media, because if it wasn't for them, no one in the world would know us.
Recovery is really important.
Living through war has helped make me pretty strong.
Obviously, if some young girl wants my advice and wants me to be her mentor, I would be very happy to offer that. But I don't really see myself as a coach.
I had struggles throughout my career. I had some tough times.
I do miss competition, but I get to travel a little bit on my own terms, which is a little bit different. And I get the chance to walk around, explore, and not have to save my energy for the match days.
I personally love Essie because they're such a good brush, and it's so easy to apply. I always go red. If I'm in doubt, I go red.
I work out a lot, but it changes day to day. I always start out with some cardio - either a jog, a bike ride, or footwork drills designed specifically for tennis movement. Then I do weights, but I switch the days: one day it's upper body, the next day it's lower body. Then I do stomach and back pretty much every day.
The media and press can be relentless, especially with women. Personally, while I take pride in my appearance and enjoy the compliments, when I'm on court, it is all about my game.
I was watching tennis on TV, and between games, they were showing a commercial for a tennis school. I wrote down the number, gave it to my mom, and said, 'This is what I want to do.' She thought it was a joke, but I was very stubborn, and I kept bringing it up.
In cities like Miami, my hair can get so frizzy, it looks crazy. I use TRESemm Extra Hold hairspray. I use a lot of it.
I'm an in-control person.
I need nine hours of sleep because of all the activity I do. It doesn't always happen, but I really try.
For my hair, I like to use different leave-in moisturizing sprays.
I don't really eat fried food. It's definitely a no go for me.
If you are happy in your private life, and - that will affect your tennis, and that will help you, actually.
Once you are on court, it doesn't matter the way you look. It doesn't help you win points.
When I'm very motivated, and when I have to compete, I change a little bit; I become very competitive.
Quitting is never an option.
You're never out of the game until you've lost the final point.
Tennis has opened a number of possibilities for me, and in future, it would be great to give something back.
After a tough match, I'll do an ice bath, and that's really good for recovery because it helps circulation. Sometimes you feel really swollen.
I use Moroccanoil shampoo and conditioner.
Even when I get dressed up to go out, I never use too much makeup.
There are many times I don't feel like going to work out, but I know if I do, I'll feel better.
Coaches were all saying that I was really talented and I had potential, but coming from Serbia, it wasn't easy. The '90s were the hardest years for our country - we went through two wars.
I have a lot of hair, and it's quite heavy: Sometimes I'll braid it for a match so it's all together.
Everything in moderation. I keep a healthy body, a healthy look. It's important not to be obsessive about anything - fitness, training, eating - because then you end up focusing on only that. And you can't obsess about anything when you're on the road.
I try not to think about the person, just their tactics, their weaknesses and strengths. I play against the ball.
If I weren't a tennis player, I'd probably be a psychologist.
I like to come to a tournament with a specific playlist that I can listen to before going on the court. I like five or 10 minutes just for myself.
You learn you have to accept the way things are, and the sooner you accept them, the sooner you become at peace with them, and then the things start to get better.
I think it's better not to mix professional life and personal life - although it is hard.
I believe I have quality, and that's why I won a grand slam, so I know I can do it again.
I think, when I'm on the court, I become with a killer instinct - a real Scorpio.
I've had to fight to improve my life. Nothing has come easily.
