Nice article from Pete on Ana. I thought it had some great quotes from both Ana and Heinz and I particularly loved this:
One morning, Gunthardt surprised Ana by asking her to start practice by hitting 40 serves. He stood by, watching and counting, as she slowly unlimbered and served ball after ball. After the 40th ball, he remarked, "Your ball toss, it's perfect every time."
The very next toss, Gunthardt said, went astray. He smiled at her. Point made.
So the primary mission for Gunthardt is teaching or showing Ivanovic how to un-think. That's a somewhat delicate assignment, but both coach and player are well-designed for it. Gunthardt has a logical, keen, perceptive mind; he knows how to challenge a player, intellectually, by playing devil's advocate. He knows as much about mental as physical stretching. Ivanovic has surprised him with her intellect. "She's much more well-rounded and astute than the other women I've dealt with recently," he told me. "She's certainly the first player who's quoted (Sigmund) Freud to me."
Of course, being smart won't get it done for Ivanovic, nor will being well-read. She faces a tough, obstacle-strewn road, but she's shown an impressive degree of patience with herself. That's not to be underestimated - a player at war with herself is useless.
Ivanovic says she's "very determined" to get back to the top; she smiled as she said that, but I was long past questioning her resolve or sincerity. "I still love the game," she added, "But the way I've been playing - well, it didn't make it very enjoyable."
It isn't exactly crying clown territory, but it's as close as someone with as sanguine a disposition as Ivanovic is apt to come.
I'm just happy to hear that she's still positive after the Fed Cup debacle. You go, girl.
Also, if you haven't yet, be sure to listen to the full audio of her press conference here.
