Ivanovic in top form for Classic
Ana Ivanovic may be one of the most famous women in sport, but she made a decidedly low key arrival at Auckland Airport yesterday. Just a handful of children and their parents were there to greet her as she made her way through the arrivals gate.
She is the poster girl for next weekend’s WTA tennis tournament in Auckland along with Venus Williams, who arrives in the country today.
After signing a few giant tennis balls Ivanovic made her way out to a waiting car and was whisked off into the city.
She told Fairfax Media that she’d been looking forward to her first visit to New Zealand.
‘‘It is my first time here and I’m really looking forward to seeing the city and also looking forward to the tournament,’’ she said.
Ivanovic is the second seed at the Classic, with a world ranking of 16. Italy’s Roberta Vinci is the top seed at 14, but doesn’t have anywhere near the pulling power of some of the others at the tournament.
The Serbian Ivanovic only had to make the short trip from Melbourne for this tournament. She chose to base herself in the city that will host the Australian Open in a few weeks and do her preparation for the new season there.
‘‘My build up has been very good,’’ she said. ‘‘I had a good time in Melbourne. I spent about 10 days there training and I’m really looking forward to this. It’s always good to get started in the first tournament of the year, play a few matches and try to feel the courts and the game a little bit.’’
Before heading to Melbourne, Ivanovic played against Maria Sharapova in an exhibition match in Bogota, Colombia and picked up a good 6-1 1-6 12-10 win.
The result may not count for anything, but it did demonstrate that Ivanovic is in good form.
‘‘It was in early December and a lot has changed since then,’’ Ivanovic said. ‘‘But I’m definitely playing good tennis and enjoying my time on court, so I’m looking forward to this competition.’’
Meanwhile, it was announced yesterday that Ana Konjuh, who turns 16 today, has been given a main draw wildcard for the Classic. The Croatian won the jun- ior tournaments at the Australian and US Opens this year and is regarded as the hottest young talent in tennis.
A wildcard has already been given to the Czech Republic’s Andrea Hlavackova and there is one more for tournament director, Karl Budge to hand out if a top 20 player doesn’t ask for it by today.
If there isn’t anyone who comes knocking \ that wildcard will likely be given to Johanna Larsson, the Swede who made it to the quarterfinals at the Classic earlier this year.
For the qualifying wildcards, Sacha Jones earned one for winning last week’s New Zealand championships, while 16-year-old Kiwi Paige Hourigan and New Zealand No 3 Emma Hayman are likely to also get one.