Italian Open
Date: 2005-05-10
Ivanovic def. #12 Golovin 6-3, 6-4

The Moderator Questions for Ana, please.

Question Now you think you have the lucky hand.
Answer (Smiling). After the draw.

Question You think the same thing on Saturday morning, or no?
Answer Well, I mean, every opponent is tough, every match is tough by itself. There are many good players here, so I am pretty happy that I won today. But, as I said, there is no easy matches here, so you have to -- but it's good because you have competition and challenges all the time.

Question Can you talk about playing in Warsaw.
Answer In Warsaw we played quite good. I was happy the way it went because it was my first clay court tournament after long time. So I was happy that I could win some matches, won some matches. And then after in Berlin I didn't adapt very well. I didn't have little bit timing. But now it's another week, and I'm looking forward for the next round.

Question You like the clay?
Answer Yes, it's good. It's little bit faster.

Question More than the hard court?
Answer I like playing on hard court. This is little bit faster clay, so it's good for me. I really enjoy it.

Question You think to better than in Warsaw now?
Answer Yeah, I would like it. Every player for every tournament goes to win it, so you just have to try to play your best tennis and the results will come.

Question You have good round next.
Answer I played against her already twice before, so I know little bit how she's playing. As I said, I just have to play my game, try to do the best. So looking forward.

Question How do you explain there are so many girls coming from East Europe?
Answer Well, they are definitely now coming, especially the Russians. They have so many players. But I think just competition. At the moment, Eastern Europe players, there are more of them. But maybe in few years will be different. So you just have to work hard and it will come.

Question Do you think now in Eastern Europe tennis is more popular about maybe Kournikova or people who play, they became famous about tennis? How is it possible tennis is so popular?
Answer I think tennis, it's becoming more popular. I can see that also in our country. There are so many kids now starting to play tennis. I think there are many reasons for that. But first of all, you have to like it; otherwise, it's not worth doing it.

Question Do you think another reason could be in East Europe there are great athletes? There are great athletes, like you.
Answer Thank you (smiling).

Question This is why now tennis is going forward?
Answer Yes, I think it's important. Many aspects need to come together. For example, in our country, we have little bit problem with sponsors. That's the one thing that the people, they are trying to go out little bit to hopefully someone to see them. So I think that's the main thing. I mean, there is lot of things. First, you need to be talented and to have hard work and sponsors. But I think is really nice. I enjoy it very much.

Question Who is the person you have to thank for your career?
Answer First place are my parents for that they supported me since I start playing tennis. It was same type situation in our country. I was lucky I got manager so I could go little bit further and prove, so I could compete on a higher level. But my family has always been there for me, so I really appreciate that.

Question You have a brother or sister?
Answer Yes, brother.

Question He plays basketball?
Answer Basketball, yes.

Question You never think to play basketball in the first years of your sport life?
Answer No, no, I didn't. Only tennis. I started when I was five. So I was watching it on TV and I really liked it, so I was asking my mom to sign me in for a tennis school, and that's how I started.

Question In the past when the Juniors arrived on the pro tour there was a big difference between the older players and the young players. Now what about the situation?
Answer Well, it's -- I think it's little bit you have to make the step between Juniors and professional. But I think I did that really well. So it's little bit different. It's more serious, it's more -- it's higher level of the game, of course. But I really enjoying being here. I really appreciate that.

Question What about the difference between yourself and someone like Sharapova when you arrive?
Answer I think now at the moment there is quite a lot of young players coming in, and that's nice, that's good for competition. It's not only the same people, there are always new and new people who are coming. It's not always the, let's say, same final. It's just much more interesting. For us, bigger competition, and that's good. It's temptation.

Question Do you think that now careers are shorter maybe?
Answer Well, depends. I mean, you just -- I think the physical condition, it's very important because that's the base to prevent injuries so you can last longer.