Ana Ivanovic won the French Open in 2008
“I can only play if I can perform up to my own high standards, and I can no longer do that. So it’s time to move on.” ~ Ana Ivanovic
I still couldn't come to the term that Ana Ivanovic has finally retired. We've watched the talented Serbian played since she was only 18. By the time she was 20, Ivanovic reached her peak winning the French Open and becoming the world no. 1. She became the first Serbian woman to win a Grand Slam tournament, following in the footsteps of compatriot Novak Djokovic who clinched the Australian Open title the same year.
“There is no other way to say it. I have decided to retire from professional tennis. It has been a difficult decision but there is so much to celebrate,” Belgrade-born Ivanovic said on Facebook.
“I began dreaming about tennis when I was five. My dear parents backed me all the way and by the time I was the world number one and won Roland Garros in 2008, I have seen the heights I never dreamt of achieving,” she added.
To my dear supporters.... pic.twitter.com/9ycCamNela— Ana Ivanovic (@AnaIvanovic) December 28, 2016
Here are some of the well wishes from her colleagues:
We will miss seeing your smile on the court! Fighter, professional, great person. Enjoy your post-tennis life, Ana 😘 pic.twitter.com/1FXcBl4C2Z— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) December 28, 2016
@AnaIvanovic my goodness I will miss your smile. All my love ❤️❤️— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) December 28, 2016
Absolutely glorious career from @anaivanovic Sad to see retire...Good luck in your future… https://t.co/mfDJQC5yGf— Janko Tipsarevic (@TipsarevicJanko) December 29, 2016
I will miss one of my best friends on tour @AnaIvanovic ❤️ You've had an incredible tennis career. Best wishes for the exciting new chapter! pic.twitter.com/IUlbkHHGVE— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) December 29, 2016
I will miss one of the kindest people I've met on tour. You had an amazing career, @AnaIvanovic! All the best for the new chapter! 😘😘
— Carla Suarez Navarro (@CarlaSuarezNava) December 29, 2016
Our friendship is a gift we share from the past, the present and the future. I will miss you dear Ana! pic.twitter.com/tt71nSO6wH
— Shuai Zhang (@zhangshuai121) December 29, 2016
— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) December 29, 2016
Congrats on your career @AnaIvanovic good luck and have fun on what's coming next! We had some fun matches together 🎾😬 pic.twitter.com/95flZJ5whh— victoria azarenka (@vika7) December 28, 2016
@AnaIvanovic wishing u the very best in your future Ana! You were truly one of THE NICEST PEOPLE EVER ON TOUR! Beautiful inside & out!!— rennae stubbs (@rennaestubbs) December 29, 2016
Will miss you on tour, but excited for you and what your new chapter has to bring😘 see you soon!!😊😊 https://t.co/twK95j9Dnl— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) December 28, 2016
@AnaIvanovic hey girl!!! You had an amazing career that many people can just dream about! I want you to wish you all the BEST 🎉🎊🍾💞❤️👼💞
— Dinara Safina (@Dinarik27) December 29, 2016
She always was able to smile on the court.Will miss you @AnaIvanovic!!Best of luck for the new chapters of your life with @BSchweinsteiger 💋 pic.twitter.com/1f3U8A53tr— Marion bartoli (@bartoli_marion) December 29, 2016
We wish her all the best in her future endeavors and be happy always.