Ana Ivanovic's site has posted a translation of a feature interview she did with Gazzetta dello Sport Sportweek recently - here are some excerpts:
...Keeping an eye on her (and above all, us) is her father, Miroslav, a colossal man who wouldn’t look out of place in a rugby team. Talking to him, one quickly realises just how popular Ana has become in her home country: “As soon as she came close to the Top 10, everything changed. I work as a consultant for a telecommunications company, and I assure you that I’ve seen my contracts increase three-fold. All because I’m Ana Ivanovic’s Father”
Your future seems certain. You’re pretty, sought after by sponsors. People are talking about you as the new Sharapova…
It’s strange, Sharapova doesn’t say a word to anyone, whereas I talk, smile, laugh!...
What is the atmosphere like on the female circuit?
There is a lot of rivalry. They are always scrutinising your clothes, your appearance. There is a lot of jealousy, and I don’t think that there is any true friendship within the circuit. I try to look my best, but let’s not exaggerate, I’m not like those players who make themselves up before going on court. It always makes me wonder, ‘do you know that you’re about to sweat like a pig, and all that make-up will run?’..So have you found ‘the one’?
I already share many aspects of my life with people I don’t know, so let’s at least leave that part secret.
So there is someone! I’ve been told he might be a tennis player…
Dad (she calls to her father to end the interview)!
I've seen several articles describing Ivanovic as a genuine star. With her tennis results, more like flash in a pan. Like what happened to Mirza.
Posted by: Starbuko | January 02, 2007 at 12:39 AM
Normally I like Ivanovic's game and her personality. But that quotation about Sharapova irks me. I understand why people don't like Sharapova (although personally I've liked her well enough ever since she shocked my skirt off winning Wimbledon), yet I've never understood comments like this from other players. It's always "maria's this, she's that, she never smiles, she glares, she grunts, we're all fairy princesses and she's the evil witch, Kournikova II," so on and so forth. Yet you never hear Sharpova go off on other players personally or otherwise, and she always compliments her opponents after matches, never even goes into uber-bitch mode when the press tries to bait her (about other players, that is). Really, I just don't get it.
I guess I'm just a pollyanna who wants to like them all.
Posted by: elisa | January 19, 2007 at 09:12 PM