There will no doubt be times when at nearly 29-years-old Jelena Jankovic won’t want to admit her age, but with six of the current top 10 in the over-25 category the tennis tour won’t be one of them.
Returning to a year-end top 10 ranking for the fifth time in her career, the fourth-seeded Serbian believes the wisdom and maturity earned through experience will continue to trump youthful exuberance in the women’s game during 2014.
“From my experience, when you’re getting older you have a lot more knowledge, a lot more experience, you feel wiser, and you can use that to your advantage compared to some youngsters that are doing everything for the first time,” Jankovic said.
For Jankovic that wisdom could mean the elusive Grand Slam title that she chased during her time in the top position of the game.
“When I go on court, I want to compete at 100 per cent and be the best player I can be. Results will come. My main goal is to do well in the big events, like Grand Slams and Tier 1s.”
“If you’re fit and don’t have major injuries, if you enjoy what you do, I think you can achieve really great things.”
And if Jankovic’s persona is anything to go by, fit and relaxed is her perfect description, spending much-needed time with her family in Serbia before arriving in Queensland early in order to conquer the Australian sun with coach, trainer, and – more importantly – protective older brother, Marko.
“I’m really happy. I recharged my batteries and am ready to start the new season,” she said.
“We get along very well. He’s my older brother, and he’s always been that protective brother and always took care of me.”
“Things change as you get older obviously, but I think he knows my character the best, you know, my game, my lifestyle.”
The current world No.8 returned to Brisbane this year relishing her chance against a tough field, littered with five fellow top 10 stars, but she will first have to grapple with veteran Italian and former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.
In a déjà vu moment, Schiavone was the last opponent Jankovic faced on the Brisbane courts in 2012, going down in a mammoth three-set quarterfinal match.
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“It was a tough match. I think she’s a tricky opponent. She plays those spins and slices and mixes up her game. It’s never easy to play against her,” she said.
“The field is tough here. I want to play with the best players in the world.”
If Jankovic manages to turn the tables against Schiavone in round one, she faces a potential quarterfinal against world No.9 Angelique Kerber in the more favoured bottom half of the draw – not facing the names Serena Williams or Maria Sharapova until the final.