A. IVANOVIC/S. Errani

7‑6, 6‑3


Q. I think it was nice for you to be back on center court, but the match was not that easy because the first set especially she played very well.
ANA IVANOVIC: Yes, I was very happy to be back on the center court, and I was actually surprised how many people were actually there supporting us, and it was great to see. I mean, I just enjoy competing out there.
Like I said, I feel very special here, and, you know, the atmosphere is always so good. But obviously I expected a tough match. I knew I had to work hard for my points today, and I'm very happy I did that. And I kept my composure even when I was making, you know, few mistakes. And I had a few opportunities to come in when I didn't. But, you know, I knew I just had to work my way through the tournament, and, you know, slowly into the match. You know, just happy to use the opportunities I had and finally win.

Q. What was the problem with your ball toss today?
ANA IVANOVIC: The problem? I thought it was pretty good. I was very happy with my serve. I was serving really well, and, yeah, just ‑‑ I think last couple of games I rushed a little bit. I got too excited. I was really serving well, and I think I got a little bit too excited, so I had to take more time next time.

Q. You couldn't play Madrid a couple weeks ago, and so how are you feeling now physically, and are you all right?
ANA IVANOVIC: I think this match is going to be a good test, but ‑‑ no, I feel good. I had last week to practice, and I was speaking before, I had really good practice sessions, like, you know, from the beginning of the year. I was working really hard. So even though I had some time off during Madrid tournament, I feel like it takes only few days to get back in shape. I feel very fit, you know, to handle the matches. You know, I feel also happy I had opportunity to play today so I have couple days to rest, and, you know, to recover.
You know, I feel fit.


Q. Is it a relief for you to have played this first match? Because coming as the title holder, it's not that easy. I think you have some pressure on your shoulders. Knowing you won the first match, do you think you feel better?
ANA IVANOVIC: Oh, yeah. There is no secret. I think everyone who plays Sunday is more nervous. No, I did it last year, so I sort of went through that experience. I knew that this was going to come up, but I knew what I had to do and had to stick with the game plan and knew what I had to do out there. It worked really well for me out there. Obviously there were some nerves, but I'm happy I overcome.

Q. I read that you said you don't feel like a defending champion, that you're not defending anything. What did you mean by that?
ANA IVANOVIC: Well, I think every tournament you play, you want to win. You don't want to ‑‑ obviously it's a great honor to be champion here, and, you know, to come as, you know, winner from the last year, but it's a new year. It's a new tournament. It's a new opponent, it's a new feeling.
You know, you just have to try to use those experiences from, you know, previous years in order to help you achieve new things. But it's a completely new tournament, and I want to achieve the same thing and I want to work hard for each match. I want to win it. Not defend it.

Q. You're always thinking, but today as you walk on the court, did you have any images or flashbacks from walking on for the final last year, or did you try to keep those at bay and not think about that?
ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, I mean, there were a lot of memories that were dormant and they awaken, walking on the court. And also warming up out there today, it was great feeling. Those are positive emotions and positive feelings. You know, when ‑‑ I get ‑‑ when I think of those emotions, you know, adrenaline kicks in a little bit more, and you sort of want to do the same thing again. When I achieve it. And also this morning when I was warming up they were playing highlights on the big screen. It's always good to see, and you always get a little bit excited watching that.

Q. How much of an issue at all is your knee or did it bother you or do you even notice it out there today?
ANA IVANOVIC: You know, I think last year's US Open was a great experience for me, I played when I wasn't fit enough to play and I kept thinking about my injury through the matches. It was not going well. I want before my matches, before I stepped on court, I was thinking, am I fit enough to play? And I felt fit enough, so I just put it out of my mind, and I don't want to think about it.
It worked well, you know, obviously going to feel it here and there, but there is ‑‑ there is still a little bit residue, like feeling of uncomfortness. It's nothing that can, yeah, stop me from doing what I have to do on the court.

Q. Do you feel like you can win this title again this year?
ANA IVANOVIC: Oh, that's my goal, you know. I work hard and I think I ‑‑ you know, I did it in the past, so I believe I have time to do it again. And I love playing here on these courts on the clay. And I just have to keep my, you know, head down and work and work tough through the matches. There is no easy points.
There are so many players who wants to achieve the same thing, but, you know, I believe I have quality and I have to go for with this confidence for each match. When I step on the second‑round match and don't think about it, maybe winning the title, you just have to work hard for a second round win.

Q. Perhaps it's too personal a question, but is there any difference that you can tell us about yourself of last year and yourself of today?
ANA IVANOVIC: Um, yeah, I mean, I think game‑wise, I think I'm a little bit more experienced on the court. In some tough situations, I know how to deal with certain situations that maybe last year was maybe new for me, for example, playing first match on Sunday, I went through that already, but I think on a personal level, nothing changed. There are still same things that make me happy and some things I enjoy doing. I think nothing changed in that area.


(via www.rolandgarros.com, photo/Reuters Pictures)

Ana Ivanovic - Roland Garros 24. May Interview