Ana Ivanovic

Ana Ivanović – Life, Career, and Inspiring Quotes

Explore the life and legacy of Ana Ivanović (born November 6, 1987) — Serbian tennis champion, former world No. 1, French Open winner, and voice of balance and perseverance. Discover her biography, career highlights, and powerful quotes that reflect her mindset.

Introduction

Ana Ivanović is a former Serbian professional tennis player, known for her graceful style and powerful forehand. She reached world No. 1 in 2008, won the French Open that same year, and became one of the sport’s prominent figures in the late 2000s and early 2010s. More than just a champion, her journey is an example of navigating success, pressure, reinvention, and life beyond competitive sport.

Early Life and Background

Ana Ivanović was born on November 6, 1987 in Belgrade, then part of Yugoslavia (now Serbia). Monica Seles.

Her parents, Miroslav and Dragana, supported her athletic and academic development. During her youth she balanced athletic training and education — showing early the discipline that would serve her in the professional arena.

Tennis Career & Achievements

Turning Pro & Early Breakthroughs

Ana turned professional in August 2003 at age 15.

Over the next few years she steadily rose up in ranking, reaching the later rounds of Grand Slams and defeating established players.

Peak in 2007–2008

• In 2007, she reached her first Grand Slam final at the French Open, losing to Justine Henin.

• 2008 was a landmark year: she won the French Open, defeating Dinara Safina in the final, and reached the Australian Open final (losing to Maria Sharapova).

• As a result, she ascended to world No. 1 in June 2008 and held that top ranking for about 12 weeks.

Later Years & Challenges

After her major success, Ivanović experienced ups and downs. She struggled with consistency, injuries, and the pressure that comes with early success.

She had a resurgence in 2014, winning multiple titles including Auckland, Monterrey, and Tokyo, and finishing the year with a world top-5 ranking.

Her later years saw a gradual decline in performance and ranking, and on December 28, 2016, she officially announced her retirement from professional tennis.

Overall, Ivanović won 15 WTA singles titles during her career.

Style, Strengths & Legacy

Ana Ivanović was known for:

• A powerful, fluid forehand that was one of her signature weapons.

• Aggressive baseline play combined with variety and movement.

• Mental resilience — often bouncing back from deficits and managing the psychological demands of top-level competition.

Her legacy includes being a strong model for young players from Serbia and beyond, demonstrating that success at major events is reachable through dedication. She also served as an ambassador for the sport, engaging in philanthropic efforts after retirement.

With her French Open win and reaching No. 1, she holds a unique spot in women’s tennis history.

Personal Life, Post-Retirement & Other Endeavors

After retiring, Ivanović has pursued business, fashion, sports commentary, and philanthropic interests.

She married German footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger on July 12, 2016. Luka, Leon, and Teo.

In recent times, public reports (as of 2025) suggest she and Schweinsteiger have separated after nearly nine years of marriage.

She remains influential in sporting and cultural circles in Serbia and beyond, often lending her voice and visibility to causes.

Famous Quotes of Ana Ivanović

Here are some of Ana Ivanović’s notable reflections, revealing her mindset about tennis, life, balance, and growth:

“A smile is a curve that can straighten out a lot of problems.”

“Sport doesn’t build character, it shows it.”

“I am pretty happy. But there are so many things I have to still improve.”

“I really just try to enjoy the game and hope that I can inspire young kids. … Sometimes it’s hard because you get upset on court, but I think in life one learns through experiences in order to evolve as a person.”

“Even if I play backgammon with my coach, I hate to lose. … That makes me determined not to lose because I hate it so much. … I always believe I can come back.”

“Fame and success and titles stay with you, but they wear out eventually. In the end, all that you are left with is your character.”

“Everything in moderation. … It’s important not to be obsessive about anything — fitness, training, eating — because then you end up focusing on only that.”

“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.”

These quotes show her balance of ambition and humility, her resilience in adversity, and a view that success is only part of one’s identity.

Lessons & Insights

From Ana Ivanović’s life and words, we can draw several lessons:

1. Balance is key. Her emphasis on not obsessing, and on moderating all aspects of life, shows the need for balance in athletics and beyond.

2. Character outlasts titles. She underscores that while achievements matter, who you are at your core is what endures.

3. Growth through experience. She interprets setbacks and ups and downs as opportunities to evolve, not merely failures.

4. Belief and comeback spirit. Her statement about believing she can come back reflects a mindset of resilience and refusal to quit.

5. Inspiring others. Even after retiring, she seeks to influence younger generations—through example, mentorship, and public voice.

Conclusion

Ana Ivanović remains one of Serbia’s tennis legends, whose career rose quickly to the top and navigated challenging plateaus, only to transition into a new chapter with grace. Her story is a testament to ambition, self-awareness, reinvention, and the idea that success is meaningful only when grounded in character.