Ana Ivanovic Answers Your Questions at On the Baseline

We recently asked our readers at On the Baseline to submit their tennis questions for world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic.

Read Ana’s answers in the follow-up article to our exclusive chat with the 2008 French Open champion.

I’m curious about what string you use, along with the tension. Do you string your racquets different tensions based on surface or weather conditions? Thanks! P.S. Congrats on the French Open and number 1 ranking. You will always be my number 1. – Rana

I use gut in the mains and synthetic string across. Yes, I change the tension according to different surfaces and conditions, but I must admit I don’t know much about it!

I trust the advice of my coaches on that, but I’m learning more about it. Around 25 kilos is a good tension for me in most conditions – it varies from 24.5 to 26.5.

Hi Ana,
In addition to your recent success in claiming the No. 1 spot on the WTA Tour, I read that in September 2007, you began studying Finance at Singidunum-FEFA, a private university which allows you to take exams online. How do you manage the pressures of both a full-time tennis career and an education? Thank you and congrats! – Paula Vergara

Yes, I’m studying when I’m on the road. It’s hard to find the time, and I’m not always in the mood, but education is very important to me, and I’m determined to finish my course.

I study in my room at the hotel, and I can do exams over the Internet. Maybe when I retire from tennis I can do more studying, when I have more time.

Hey Ana,
My question is, what really motivated you to play tennis in a place where tennis didn’t used to be that big, because that’s where I live right now—a place where tennis is not that big. Thanks so much! I’m a big fan of yours! – Crystal Lam

I just saw it on TV and it looked like so much fun. Then when I first played I loved it straight away. There’s no real explanation – I was just attracted to it.

What was the hardest thing for you to sacrifice to become a successful professional tennis player? – Marija Zivlak

I don’t like to think about sacrifices – I see it as some necessary steps that I took in order to achieve my goals.

So of course I wasn’t able to do some things that other kids did when they were young, but for me it was never a problem, and I never felt I was missing out on anything. I had a great time when I was a kid, and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunities I was given.

For more information about Ana Ivanovic, please visit www.anaivanovic.com.