Ana Ivanović Reveals Panic Attacks, No Regrets Over Tennis Retirement

Former world No. 1 tennis player Ana Ivanović has opened up about her life beyond the professional circuit in a candid interview with Slaven Bilić, featured in the series '(Ne)uspjeh prvaka' (The (In)success of Champions).

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No. I don't think that kind of adrenaline can be repeated... That feeling when you play on the center court and play big tournaments, that kind of adrenaline simply cannot...

Ivanović, who won Roland Garros, spoke openly about her post-tennis life, the significant support from her parents, her triumphs, and the defeats that shaped her journey to the top. She addressed why she never regretted retiring from the sport, the difficulty of withdrawing from the Beijing Olympics, and, for the first time, discussed the severe panic attacks she battled in her final years on court.

When asked by Bilić if her current endeavors provide the same competitiveness she experienced in sports, Ivanović replied, "No. I don't think that kind of adrenaline can be repeated... That feeling when you play on the center court and play big tournaments, that kind of adrenaline simply cannot..." Despite admitting she misses major tournaments, she affirmed her decision to retire. "Of course, it wasn't an easy step, and it wasn't easy to leave tennis, because it's been my life since I was five years old, my first love, something I truly loved and was very good at. But I felt it was the right moment for me. I wanted something else, to follow other paths I saw I could take... I miss big tournaments, I miss the competition, I miss that feeling, that adrenaline, but I don't regret my decision. I am very happy where I am now."

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Of course, it wasn't an easy step, and it wasn't easy to leave tennis, because it's been my life since I was five years old, my first love, something I truly loved and was very good at. But I felt it was the right moment for me. I wanted something else, to follow other paths I saw I could take... I miss big tournaments, I miss the competition, I miss that feeling, that adrenaline, but I don't regret my decision. I am very happy where I am now.

Reflecting on her early career, Ivanović emphasized her parents' constant support. "My father played basketball and was very talented, but his father didn't support him, and he wasn't allowed to pursue sports because it was important to study and have a job at the time. When I started in sports, my father said from the beginning - I'll take you to training, I'll support you if that's your vision. I never felt any pressure. Only support."

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My father played basketball and was very talented, but his father didn't support him, and he wasn't allowed to pursue sports because it was important to study and have a job at the time. When I started in sports, my father said from the beginning - I'll take you to training, I'll support you if that's your vision. I never felt any pressure. Only support.

She recalled a childhood moment that significantly altered her tennis trajectory. Despite being young, she maturely explained to her parents why she needed individual training over group sessions. "I had asked my mom and dad several times if I could go for individual training. They said it was quite expensive and they couldn't afford it. I will never forget that one day... Mom was cooking, I came to her and said I had to tell her something: I want to train individually, but if you think there's no money for it, then I'd rather quit because if I continue training in a group, you're still paying, and I'm not progressing - so it makes no sense." Her mother's response was a gentle, "Okay dear, we'll see."

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I want to train individually, but if you think there's no money for it, then I'd rather quit because if I continue training in a group, you're still paying, and I'm not progressing - so it makes no sense.