Ivanović: Sport breaks political, racial and religious barriers!

A top sportswoman, a beauty who captivates with her gaze, in love with Bastian Schweinsteiger, the German footballer, are just some of the words one would use to describe Ana Ivanović, the Serbian tennis player. And she sees herself as a normal girl from the neighbourhood, only her job keeps her constantly in the public eye, she revealed in an exclusive interview for the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Family and her younger brother Miloš are the most important people in her life, and they are available to each other 24 hours a day. Given her popularity, she wants to keep her love life entirely to herself and does not like to talk about it publicly. She is currently on holiday until the beginning of January, recharging her batteries, and then she will shine again on the court that means everything to her.

- That is the place I always return to, no matter which part of the planet I am on. They are simply like a charger to me. Brother Miloš is someone I can talk to for hours on Skype about everything and anything – says Ivanović.

PATRIA: Are you a born winner?

IVANOVIĆ: Of course I want to be the best, but I am aware that victory comes not only from talent but also from hard work and effort. The competitive spirit is in my nature. Whatever I do, I always want to be better than others. I think that partly comes from being very strict with myself.

PATRIA: Like most athletes, are you superstitious?

IVANOVIĆ: At the beginning of my career, I admit, I was quite superstitious; now I try not to be enslaved by those things, to keep them to a minimum. Another thing is some small rituals; they are always present during tournaments, but more because I feel better if there is some order and system I follow, which gives me security and strengthens my mental strength, starting from the fact that the night before a match I always have dinner in the same restaurant, to always listening to the same music in moments when I am alone and going onto the court.

PATRIA: How do you spend your time off the court during tournaments?

IVANOVIĆ: During tournaments, I spend a lot of time on daily massages, exercises, and also on demands from the media or organisers in the form of interviews or some social events. When the workday is over, I relax best with a good book or movie. Only when the competition is over do outings, shopping, or sightseeing of interesting places where I am come into play. I always like to learn something new about the city or country I am in.

PATRIA: How much does travel enrich a person?

IVANOVIĆ: Travel frees you from a one-dimensional view of the world and people. Every departure will open your horizons and make you a better person. I have never returned from a trip the same. America woke me up, Asia taught me simplicity, Africa taught me joy. I am convinced that each of us is a traveller.

PATRIA: What have you learned from contact with different nations and religions?

IVANOVIĆ: After every trip, I feel that I know more about myself and my dreams. I have learned that the big world is not so big and unattainable, and that people are exclusively divided into good and bad. Everything else is a matter of geography.

PATRIA: Is sport the one that breaks all barriers, political, religious and racial?

IVANOVIĆ: Absolutely! If only those who make decisions about it understood that, the picture in the world would be completely different. I hope that is slowly changing.

PATRIA: You once stated that you get to know yourself through the countries you travel to. How much truth is there in that?

IVANOVIĆ: A person cannot get to know themselves until they know what influenced them to be that way. Due to the nature of my job, my suitcases are always packed. As a child, I wanted to see London, to see if it is always raining there. The secrets of the big city opened a new world in me. Later, the encounter with Asia. A series of happy circumstances, but also a huge desire to travel, led me to the end of the world. The further, the better. My biggest dream is travel, so I am living that dream.

PATRIA: What do you insist on in love?

IVANOVIĆ: In love, I do not insist. Either it is there or it is not. When the moment comes that you have to insist, it dissipates, it is gone, it disappears...

PATRIA: Do you believe in love for a lifetime?

IVANOVIĆ: I do.

PATRIA: What quality do you most appreciate in the stronger sex?

Although I think women are in many ways more skilful and braver, the simplicity with which men experience life and the world could be what they truly excel at.

PATRIA: How do you nurture beauty?

IVANOVIĆ: By believing that what is inside is reflected on the outside.

PATRIA: The most expensive clothing item you own?

IVANOVIĆ: I do not classify them by price, and I do not like to overdo it in that sense, especially not these days. My wardrobe is full of interesting pieces that I know how to combine well, so I think the most expensive thing of all is my personal creativity. It is priceless.

PATRIA: How would you describe yourself in three words?

IVANOVIĆ: A complicated optimist with excess energy.

PATRIA: What human qualities do you value and why?

IVANOVIĆ: Honesty, because it requires courage.