Ht: 5-7 1/2 Wt: 126
DOB: April 12, 1983 In: Belgrade, Yugoslavia
Tennis Hero: “Steffi Graf.
Tennis Inspiration: “Well, I think it’s a little different story for me because I already played once and then I had some time off with some personal problems, so for me, I feel like I’m kinda starting the second part of my career. So, yeah, I just want to try and see, try and do as well as I can. There’s a lot of goals for me and a lot of things I would like to do but we’ll see how far I can go.”
Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “Movies, shopping, different sports, the beach, water, you know, different stuff. (What sports?) I did a little basketball, soccer, swimming, tae kwon do (she’s a black belt).”
Favorite Movie: “Have to be Gladiator maybe [smiles].”
Last Book Read: “Devil Wears Prada. I got it as a present for Christmas. I read that. And I’m just starting a new one, but I can’t remember the name.”
Favorite TV Shows: “Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives [smiles].”
Musical Tastes: “I like all kinds of music, Justin Timberlake, I listen to a little Pink.”
First Tennis Memory: “When I started when I was six. The first club where I started at, my very first tennis session, it was weird. Because I was very nervous and didn’t know what to expect. But I actually didn’t miss too many balls, which was funny, for someone who just started playing tennis. The first 10 or 15 balls I hit straight back into his hand. I hit them perfect. So it was good. Not that I decided then and there that I would play but it was really something that I enjoyed.”
Favorite Meal: “Anything Italian.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Cookies and cream.”
First Car: “1999 black Mercedes S600.”
Current Car: “Porsche Carrera (dark gray).”
Pre-match Feeling: “I get nervous, maybe a couple hours before the match. And right before the match, I’d say an hour before, I try to calm down a little bit. And get five minutes in the locker room and kind of go through my thoughts. Try to imagine the points that I would like to play on the court. That way I kind of calm down.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Would have been winning my first title (Rome in 2001). And probably the 2009 Australian Open.”
Most Painful Moment: “Would be losing in the semi-finals of the Olympics in 2000 (to Seles). Because I had a chance to win and I had a chance to get a medal there. And the quarter-finals of Australian Open (2009) [laughs].”
Favorite Tournaments: “All the Grand Slams. But probably would have to say San Diego. They used to have a great tournament. They looked after the players really well. And the site and the resort where we played was just amazing.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “Maybe, it’s not a funny one, but we had – in Europe winters are very harsh – and so we don’t have indoor courts. And it was winter and it was about minus 15 (degrees). That was when I was about seven. We went on the court, ice was on the court, we tried to move the snow and everything. And we played on that. But it was funny. We played in gloves and hats and everything.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “I think it’s always tough when you play in front of a big crowd, you always try not to embarrass yourself. Some of the stuff that you do, a few times I tripped and fell and stuff like that [smiles].”
Last Vacation: “I live in Croatia but the last three years I was vacationing there. The coast there is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen.”
Favorite Players To Watch: “Federer and Nadal. I mainly watch men’s tennis, so. They play so differently but they have such great matches. (Who do you root for?) I think it’s difficult to say. First, when Federer was winning everything, I was rooting for Nadal. So I wanted him to try and win Wimbledon, which he did. So, lately I’ve been going for Nadal. But I like to watch them both play.”
Of all your matches, which one or two did you feel at your very best?: “Played well at the 2009 Australian Open. All the matches were tough but I felt comfortable on the court. (Best you ever felt?) Yeah.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Honesty. I don’t like people lying to me and going behind my back. So it would be honesty. Courage. And fighting spirit.”
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jim · January 5, 2011 at 5:21 pm
i like it
Nancy McShea · January 6, 2011 at 3:22 pm
I certainly wish the best for Jelena. Life has been tough, especially the task of coping with her very public family problems. I admire her honesty in admitting to sometimes feeling embarrassed in front of a big crowd. This piece shows that she not only has talent but also a wonderful spirit which has obviously helped her to survive intact….She’s right about that San Diego tournament. My daughter once worked it and they actually brought in a motorcycle for Gabriela Sabatini.
Andrew Miller · January 7, 2011 at 2:24 am
Dokic is a great player. One of the players I feel sorry for and who I’m glad to see back in the mix. If there was one player in the world who could make a dent on the WTA (as in, rip a big trophy from a big player’s grasp), it’s Dokic.
Andrew Miller · January 7, 2011 at 8:46 pm
Dokic winning a slam would be an even bigger deal than Schiavone – because it would be someone with a big game realizing their potential and it would be fitting. It would probably be akin to Agassi returning to win the French Open in 1999. It would be that big. Only one event could be bigger: Roddick winning his 2nd slam.
Andrew Miller · January 7, 2011 at 8:48 pm
(I understand that people will take issue with those statements. Maybe Baghdatis winning a slam or Ryan Harrison getting to the Semis of a slam would be equally as big – but I think what I am trying to communicate is that Dokic, or a few other players, winning a slam would be an epic win for the new decadE).
Nancy McShea · January 8, 2011 at 3:27 am
I agree with Andrew that Dokic winning a slam would be a very, very big deal!
Nancy McShea · January 20, 2011 at 4:24 am
Sorry Dokic lost, but she’ll be back.
Scoop Malinowski · January 20, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Hope you are right Nancy, no one deserves a major more than her.