Ana is on the cover of the new issue Kurir Stil, a popular Serbian weekly magazine.
The following is an extract from the interview Ana gave:
Besides a successful tennis career, in the last few years you have been a UNICEF ambassador in Serbia. Many children are looking up to you. Which message would you, as an ambassador, send to them?
It’s a great honour to work with UNICEF. I take it very seriously and feel very proud that some kids look up to me. The most important thing regarding my work with UNICEF is to raise awareness about the rights and safety of children. It’s important that all of us adults take an interest in children’s lives, especially at school, to ensure that they are safe and happy.
When I talk to children I often tell them to always believe in themselves, to follow their goals and to take their education seriously. These are some of the principles that helped me a lot, together with the support of my family.
Somebody once told you: "To be successful, you must have a short memory, you have to forget bad training and lost matches, and to believe in yourself." Did you manage to forget all the bad moments and losses, and how do you usually deal with losses, considering that athletes don’t like to be defeated?
It’s very good advice, but it’s easier said than done! After a tough defeat I am often very down in the locker room, or in the gym with my coaches. But then anyway you have to face the press half an hour or so later, and that gives you perspective: it’s only a tennis match. But it’s your job, you care about it so much, and some defeats stay with you longer than others. I admit I’ve had many sleepless nights during my career because of some tough losses.
But generally, I am trying not to think too much about defeats. The great thing is that you can go onto the court the next day and practice, and look ahead to your next tournament. Also, I would think more about the state of my game than actual results.
Even the greatest players in the history of tennis lost dozens, maybe over a hundred matches. It’s part of the job.
Would you say that dreams and wishes come true if you deeply believe in them?
Yes, I completely agree with that. It is the way I was able to become a professional, by believing in myself, following my dreams and receiving the support of my family and management.
