Global sports and entertainment company IMG today announced that no. 1 ranked player on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, Jelena Jankovic, has signed with the company for exclusive, worldwide marketing and management representation effective January 1, 2009.Jankovic, 23, will also join IMG Models, the world's No. 1 international model management firm.
Fernando Soler, Head of IMG's Tennis Division said, "We are extremely pleased to add a player of Jelena's caliber to the list of great champions we represent. Her reputation, both on and off the court is unparalleled." Ivan Bart, Senior Vice President of IMG Models added, "We are equally pleased to have Jelena join our roster of celebrity clients."
In making the announcement, Gavin Forbes, Senior Vice President, said, "Jelena is an athlete of enormous talent and unlimited potential. Jelena has distinguished herself as the No.1 player in the world and with her warm personality and fantastic smile she is an extremely popular competitor. IMG looks forward to working with Jelena at this exciting time in her career."
Jankovic's tennis management team at IMG will be led by Caroline Lacy, IMG London.
Jankovic, who has recently been crowned ITF World Champion added, "IMG is a global company and a leader not only in tennis, but entertainment, fashion and modeling as well. I'm very excited to partner IMG and look forward to working with them on a variety of exciting tennis, marketing and endorsement opportunities."
Now that she's with IMG, JJ could be heading to Malaysia along with Maria Sharapova for an exhibition match.
The last time I read on LTAM website, the local organiser LD Sports is interested to bring in either JJ or Ana Ivanovic. So, there's a high possibility that JJ will make her way here.
I'll keep my fingers crossed.
(Via msnbc.com; Image via Yahoo! Sport)
