Jankovic insists she has nothing to prove on tennis court
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
BEIJING, Sept 22 (AFP): World number two Jelena Jankovic said Monday she feels no extra pressure due to her lack of a Grand Slam trophy, as the chase for the top spot in the women's game continues at the China Open.
Jankovic and fellow Serb Ana Ivanovic top the draw here. New world number three Dinara Safina, who captured the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo Sunday, withdrew due to injury.
The women's top ranking has been in flux since Justine Henin's surprise retirement in May, passing between Maria Sharapova, Ivanovic, Jankovic and current number one Serena Williams.
"I don't have to prove to anybody or any media about my ability, except to myself. I am only 23 years old, still young, and I have entered Grand Slam finals," Jankovic said at the 600,000-dollar China Open.
The US Open finalist, who briefly reached the number one ranking in August, said it was good to see change at the top of the women's game.
"All players are outstanding on court, and I will try my best to finish my job, to play tennis," said Jankovic, who lost in last year's final here to Hungary's Agnes Szavay.
Meanwhile, French Open winner and former world number one Ivanovic said injury had hampered her game over the past few months.
Jankovic and fellow Serb Ana Ivanovic top the draw here. New world number three Dinara Safina, who captured the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo Sunday, withdrew due to injury.
The women's top ranking has been in flux since Justine Henin's surprise retirement in May, passing between Maria Sharapova, Ivanovic, Jankovic and current number one Serena Williams.
"I don't have to prove to anybody or any media about my ability, except to myself. I am only 23 years old, still young, and I have entered Grand Slam finals," Jankovic said at the 600,000-dollar China Open.
The US Open finalist, who briefly reached the number one ranking in August, said it was good to see change at the top of the women's game.
"All players are outstanding on court, and I will try my best to finish my job, to play tennis," said Jankovic, who lost in last year's final here to Hungary's Agnes Szavay.
Meanwhile, French Open winner and former world number one Ivanovic said injury had hampered her game over the past few months.