TOKYO ( 2008-09-16 11:43:30 ) :Jelena Jankovic said on Tuesday she was determined to regain the title of world number one at this week's Pan Pacific Open in Japan after holding the rank for just one week.
"Anytime you achieve the number one ranking, it doesn't matter whether it's for a week or many years," said the 23-year-old from Belgrade, who spent her brief stint as world number one during the Beijing Olympics.
"Of course, I'd love to come back to that spot. That's why I'm here to play. I really want to come back to the number one position. I'll try my best."
Jankovic had a chance to regain the top spot at the US Open, but she lost to Serena Williams in the final, giving the number one ranking to the American.
She is only 126 behind Williams at second place this week.
"It's every player's dream to become number one in the world," Jankovic said. "I'm just the 18th player in the history of tennis to achieve that, so it's a huge achievement."
"But not many people make it and I'm really proud that I'm one of those who joined the selection of great champions," added Jankovic, also the semi-finalist at the Australian and French Opens.
She and three other top seeds -- her compatriot Ana Ivanovic, Russian duo of Elena Dementieva and Dinara Safina -- received first-round byes in the 1.34 million-dollar outdoor tournament.
Top-seeded Jankovic will take on either Flavia Pennetta of Italy or Shahar Peer of Israel in the second round, vying for the top prize of 196,900 dollars.
"Anytime you achieve the number one ranking, it doesn't matter whether it's for a week or many years," said the 23-year-old from Belgrade, who spent her brief stint as world number one during the Beijing Olympics.
"Of course, I'd love to come back to that spot. That's why I'm here to play. I really want to come back to the number one position. I'll try my best."
Jankovic had a chance to regain the top spot at the US Open, but she lost to Serena Williams in the final, giving the number one ranking to the American.
She is only 126 behind Williams at second place this week.
"It's every player's dream to become number one in the world," Jankovic said. "I'm just the 18th player in the history of tennis to achieve that, so it's a huge achievement."
"But not many people make it and I'm really proud that I'm one of those who joined the selection of great champions," added Jankovic, also the semi-finalist at the Australian and French Opens.
She and three other top seeds -- her compatriot Ana Ivanovic, Russian duo of Elena Dementieva and Dinara Safina -- received first-round byes in the 1.34 million-dollar outdoor tournament.
No comments:
Post a Comment