Serbia, the land of tennis talent?
For the past two or three years, Serbia has steadily produced some outstanding tennis players. The exceptional thing about these pros is, in addition to their high ranking on the charts, the country has produced good singles and doubles players, as well
as both male and female athletes.
Here’s a list of the five best Serbian players on the field today:
Novak Djokovic, this 23 year old Serbian is currently ranked World Number 3, and is without a doubt one of the best tennis players of the Open Era. He is the first Serbian to win a Grand Slam title, with his 2008 success at the Australian
Open.
He is all the youngest player of this era to reach the semi finals of all four Majors events. He was a finalist at the 2007 and 2010 US Open tournaments, and will now lead his country into the Davis Cup match against France in Belgrade, after putting in
an appearance at the ATP Tour Finals in London.
Djokovic is also known as a genuine sportsman, often applauding an opponent for an exceptional shot and possessing the ability to make light of his failures. This has endeared him to his fans, thereby giving him a great following.
Jelena Jankovic, right-handed tennis player Jelena Jankovic is another Serbian player, who seems determined to leave her mark on the game. When she began playing, her style was erratic and generally difficult to watch. She would lost control
during matches and lost both fans and points due to this fault.
However, she has completely revised her mental attitude now. Jankovic, currently ranked World Number 7, has become a joy to watch on court, with both fans and critics empathising with her and supporting her game. She is a former World Number 1 (one of the
three WTA players to reach the position without winning a Grand Slam) and was a semi finalist at the 2008 US Open tournament.
Janko Tipsarevic, this Serbian player’s highest career ranking is World Number 33, achieved in 2008. His current ranking is Number 37. The 26-year old player has won two Futures events, and nine title matches of the ATP Challenger Series.
His first achievement was his success at the 2001 Australian Open, where he seized the junior title. Tipsarevic is the second highest ranked Serbian male on the ATP, after Djokovic.
Nenad Zimonjic, this Serbian pro-tennis player is currently ranked World Number 3 in men’s doubles, and is the second man from Serbia, after Slobodan Zivojinovic, to hold the Number 1 men’s doubles rankings.
While doubles may not be considered as difficult or challenging as singles, Zimonjic is still a class act. He is also a valuable asset to the Serbian Davis Cup team. Zimonjic, 34, recently split from his doubles partner Daniel Nestor, due to a poor tournament
record this year. Together, the pair won 21 career titles, including Wimbledon in 2008 and 2009, and the 2007 French Open over a period of three years.
Ana Ivanovic, this 22 year old tennis player is a former World Number 1 champion. Although, her current ranking is Number 26, the right-handed Serbian has still proven herself to be an exceptional player, by winning the 2008 French Open,
and putting in finalist appearances at Roland Garros in 2007 and the Australian Open in 2008.
Although a wonderful player, Ivanovic seems to be off her stride lately. She suffers with movement around the court, fitness and unforced error issues, but her mental attitude is of far greater concern. She loses concentration far too easily and lacks focus.
To succeed at the game, Ivanovic needs a better coach and a new approach. She may still stand a chance of dominating the rankings.
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