Interview with Ana Ivanovic
at Roland Garros   31-05-2005

Question. How do you feel now?

ANA IVANOVIC: I'm pretty happy the first quarterfinal, but a little bit disappointed with this match today. I think I could give much more. And that's why I don't feel so great right now.

But still I think she played very good tennis. And in some points when I had chances, she just played very good. She did very well.

Q. Did you do something different today to change the game?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, definitely this was great experience. I learn so much. I really know what should I do and what things I have to do to improve my game.

Q. You made a lot of unforced errors today. Was it purely to do with the opponent or was this a below-par performance?

ANA IVANOVIC: Well, she played very well. But I think I was also a little bit emotionally empty from yesterday. I just knew I had to go for some shots because she's very good player and I had to put her under pressure. But sometimes I really wanted too much. So that caused much more unforced errors.

Q. This being your first ever Grand Slam quarterfinal. Did you enjoy the experience?

ANA IVANOVIC: Definitely, it was really great experience. Last year, I just start competing on this level. To reach quarterfinal, it's great.

I think it's a dream of every player.

Q. Were there any nerves at all?

ANA IVANOVIC: I was a little bit nervous before the game. But when the game started, not so much. I was really focusing on my game.

Also I think my serve didn't work very well today, so...

Q. Are you surprised that Petrova has never won a title anywhere?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, I'm a little bit surprised. I think she's a very good player. For sure she's going to win some because I think really she has good potential.

Q. What do you think is missing? Obviously she played very well today. A player who's obviously been in the Top 10, how can you explain she's never won something?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, probably it's just little bit pressure when you have to win some tournament. But I think it will come. You just have to practice very hard and that will come, definitely.

Q. What do you expect for Wimbledon?

ANA IVANOVIC: I just -- I really -- I'm now going to really practice very hard. I had some things I learn, some things I have to improve. So I just really want to go out there and play my best tennis.

And really for every player to dream to win Grand Slam, and everybody's going there to do that. So definitely it's going to be very tough competition. But I just want to go there and play my best tennis.

Q. What will you remember from this first experience?

ANA IVANOVIC: It's really great. It was my first professional Roland Garros. It was just amazing. I really enjoy my time. Also center court, playing Mauresmo. That's really something I will remember all my life.

Q. Do you think other players are going to be out to get you now that you've done so well in a tournament like this?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, definitely. So many players want to challenge. But still I'm ready for that. I really want to also challenge myself. Every match is new temptation. I'm really looking forward for that.

Q. Have your expectations changed now for future tournaments? Do you think you should be reaching the latter stages of future Grand Slam events?

ANA IVANOVIC: Well, I think every match is important for itself. I just have some now goals, little goals in my game to improve. By reaching that, I think I can also improve in also like going further in a tournament. So that's my goal for now.

Q. I think you said your goal was to end the year in the Top 20. Has that changed now? Maybe higher?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, I just want to, as I said, improve my game. So that's my first goal. Then I think the ranking will come automatically.

 www.rolandgarros.com