Does Ivanovic Have Love For New York?
It wasn’t until her eighth appearance at the US Open that 2008 Roland Garros champion reached the quarterfinals, but it was nonetheless a monumentous occassion for the former No.1.
“I have been here in fourth round quite a few times,” she said after defeating Tsvetana Pironkova to make the last eight in 2012, adding, “to make that step and reach quarterfinal, and also the first time since ’08 which I’m very thrilled about.”
Indeed, it was the Serb’s best finish at a major tournament since winning her maiden Grand Slam title in Paris; leading up to that fateful run at the French Open, she had reached the semifinals or better at three of her last four majors – the US Open being the only outlier.
A charasmatic character on the court, Ivanovic has a more reserved personality, and admitted to once feeling overwhelmed in the big city of New York.
“It was very energy‑consuming because it’s big. I did not enjoy that part. Lots of people come out. You know, I really like to have my own privacy and be quiet, you know, and it was big and open.
“Now I embrace it more. I enjoy it. That has been the biggest change.”
From her initial struggles there, the US Open quickly became her most consistent major, the only one where she has reached the second week for four straight years.
“I started to really enjoy and change my attitude towards it. Now I really embrace the city. I love it. The possibilities you have off the court, museums, shows, shopping, restaurants.
“I mean, you can never be bored in New York.”
Her chances of greater successes in Flushing Meadows have been blighted by difficult draws; in her last two appearances, she has lost to a rising Karolina Pliskova and a resurgent Dominika Cibulkova. The loss to Cibulkova was particularly distressing to Ivanovic, who had just pushed World No.1 Serena Williams to three tough sets at the Western & Southern Open.
“I felt like I did a lot of hard work over last few months. Over last week, you know, I had great preparation, lots of good training and everything.
“It was just unfortunate that, you know, we came up against one another so early in a tournament.”
The Serb rebounded in the fall, reaching the semifinals of the China Open and narrowly missing out on a chance to return to the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
Players will be in for a tough summer schedule that will include the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but Ivanovic hardly struggled to adjust during the last Olympic summer. With that lone quarterfinal appearance coming on the heels of the London Games, the Serb may be poised to pounce at the Open, pushed onward by its voracious crowd.
“I try to play along and try to be part of [the crowd], as well. Because I think that’s what fans want to see. They want to see players interact and be part of it.”
Can Ivanovic become a part of history with a 2016 US Open title?
