About tennis
Why tennis?
âI was watching Novak Djokovic on tv, I donât remember if it was during Roland Garros or Wimbledon but it was during the beginning of summer time. I felt that could be a nice sport so I tried it. I still remember my 1st lesson: I was basically running everywhere and I didn't know in what direction I was hitting the ball. I was a disaster, maybe, but I liked it so I came back for a 2nd lesson, then a 3rd one, then it was simply love. My first tennis club was the Partizan TC. I went there because I knew that there was a very good coach: Jovan Zlatanovic. He is the reason why I went in top-10 in junior and I can compete now vs older and more experience players. He taught me everything: serve, forehand, backhand. Heâs the best coach in Serbia for young players, probably. Then I grew up, I improved my game, but the technique I use now is the one he taught me. Iâm really grateful to him for everythingâ.
Familyâ¨
The role of your father in your life?
â¨âSaĹĄa doesnât travel with me, my mum does. Iâm really close with her, but my dad is still my n.1 fan. He did sport at high level, so he gets how I fell if I lose, or how I feel before the match, what he has to tell me. He always sends me messages to make me feel better helping to stay positive and be happy. My mum usually helps me telling me what is right or what is wrong on my gameâ.
Toughest part for a tennis player, in and off the court.
âOff the court is travelling, no doubts. Travelling and not seeing your family. In the beginning for me it was the toughest moment, I couldnât get used to it. I was 11, 12 years old, I was travelling for first time to play tournaments and I was crying a lot: I was still a little girl. Now Iâm more used to it, I still miss them everyday but I got that this is the life I want for me: I have to sacrifice something to have something back. I think my feelings were common to every other boy or girl⌠but now itâs fine, I talk to them everyday, I keep in touch with them everytime I can. On court the toughest thing is, for me, when I lose a match. I'm not talking about losing when you give your best, but losing and you are not ok with what you did. In these situations just want to go to my bedroom and not seeing anyone for 5 daysâ.
Serbian players and their impact on Serbian people
Ivanovic?â¨
âI met her many times. We know each other pretty well. Sheâs a wonderful person with great personality and she was one of the best in the world. I felt bad when she announced the retirment, but thinking on what she did for Serbia she was unbelievable. Iâm really glad that someone like her comes from Serbia, and that she became so strong. Iâm saddened for her decision, but at the same time Iâm forever thankful to her. She was one of my idol, no doubts: coming from Serbia, my country, Roland Garros champion, number 1 in the world. She was phenomenalâ.
Djokovic?â¨
âHe was my idol and will be my idol forever. I love him for his game, his attitude, his life, his achievements, everything. I think everyone should have the passion he always show. I canât say anything else a part that heâs the bestâ.
How big was the impact Djokovic, Ivanovic and Jankovic had in Serbian people?
âTennis was probably part of our life, but we didnât have these champions at the same time. When Nole became one of the best, everybody in Serbia started to know him and love him. Now itâs impossible to find someone who hates him. I have a friend of my family, who doesnât follow tennis so much, but I swear I saw him crying his eyes out one day when Novak lost his match. He plays for his country everytime, he gives his best for everyone of us. Heâs a hero for each one of us. When he won Wimbledon for 1st time and he came back in Serbia, it was a mess. The whole city of Belgrade was locked, horns played like crazy for hours, people canât stop to show how happy they were. Then there was a party for him, and hundred thousand of people were there to celebrate him. He deserves this everydayâ.
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