Ana Ivanovic Parts Ways With Coach
June 9, 2009 by Jeanne Dupuis
Filed under Tennis
Ana Ivanovic has split with her coach, Craig Kardon, and I can’t say that I’m surprised by the news. Kardon was the former coach of the legendary Martina Navratilova (who won a whopping 18 Grand Slam championships!).
He was hired by the former No. 1 on a trial basis back in February but just this past week, Ivanovic dropped from No. 8 to No. 13 in the WTA rankings and bowed out of the 2009 French Open in just the fourth round.
Honestly, I think that the game has progressed a bit since Kardon’s days with Navratilova and I don’t think his style necessarily meshes with that of a 21-year-old player like Ivanovic. She was classy about it, at least. She put the following message on her website: “I’d like to thank Craig for all his hard work. He’s a great guy and I enjoyed working with him.”
The timing is a little unfortunate, though. She will have to rely on the guidance of assistant coaches as she heads into Eastbourne and Wimbledon later this month.
image: Zuma Press
Ana and Rafa Draw Names
May 23, 2009 by Julie Bonner
Filed under Tennis
The reigning 2008 French Open champions, Rafael Nadal and Ana Ivanovic, drew names for this year’s match-ups at the 2009 French Open. The tournament starts on May 24th.
Rafael has sent out a little warning to rivals Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic saying that he has played “almost perfect tennis” leading up to the French Open. Nadal is very confident that he can continue his flawless record at a grand-slam event.
"I am very happy about my clay-court season, very happy," the Mallorcan said.
"Winning in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome and reaching the final in Madrid makes it an almost perfect clay-court season."I am very happy with how I have been playing. And it’s always a pleasure playing at Roland Garros - coming back here gives me a special sensation."
Ivanovic Withdraws from Olympic Tennis Competition
August 10, 2008 by Sandy Mitchell
Filed under Sports Rumors, Tennis
The #1-seeded player in the women’s Olympic tennis competition, Ana Ivanovic of Serbia (pictured above at the Olympic Opening Ceremonies), withdrew from the event on Sunday because of a lingering injury to her right hand that has kept her from practicing.
The 20-year-old Ivanovic won the 2008 French Open and finished second in the 2008 Australian Open.
She will be replaced in the Olympic competition by Tzipora Obziler of Israel.
