Ana Ivanovic on Kim Clijsters - "The body simply reacts differently"
Ana Ivanovic commented on the Eurosport Instagram chat "Hanging out with Babsi" about Kim Clijsters' return. And to her very personal fear opponent.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jun 05, 2020, 06:06 pm
You almost forgot about it because of the long Corona break, but yes: there was something with Kim Clijsters. A comeback that has led the Belgian to Dubai (loss to Australian Open finalist Garbine Muguruza) and Monterrey (loss to Johanna Konta). By the way, with by no means bad performances. Ana Ivanovic has her doubts as to whether it is enough for Clijsters to return to the top of the world, as the Serbian explained in an Instagram chat with Barbara Schett.
"I saw her matches and she hits the ball extremely well, but I hope she really gets back to the level she was at before," said Ivanovic, who ended her career in late 2016. "Personally, I don't think it will be that easy after the long break." Clijsters announced her second retirement in 2012 after 2007 and is now the mother of three children.
Ivanovic had problems with Pliskova
She really respects Clijsters for her achievements, but she lacks the great imagination for a successful comeback, Ivanovic continues. "Not because she wasn't fit. But the body simply reacts differently. When you are no longer in competition mode, you only realize how much fine tuning is necessary. And Kim wasn't there for a long time. ”
You will probably no longer see Ana Ivanovic himself on the WTA tour. Also because the player with whom she had the most problems is still involved: “For me it was the hardest to play against Karolina Pliskova. It was really difficult. We have competed against each other a few times over the past few years. And reading their serve - you wouldn't expect the blow to come the way it does. She can hide her game really well. And I like reading a game and doing my game. That's why I've always loved competing on sand. But it was always difficult against Pliskova. ”