Wanted to post these along with my write-up yesterday but wasn't able to. Here are the excerpts from Ana's presser discussing the Montreal haps:
Q. You made some news by declining a wildcard you were given to Montreal. Can you talk about the whole process, what's going on with that tournament, and how everything worked out? Because I know initially you weren't and then you were.
ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, it's very tough, you know. When you're not playing well and when you're low, you need friends who can help you, you know, not remind you of your poor form in the press as well. It's been a little bit disappointing the way it's been. You know, I understand they declined it at first, and I made a different schedule and I entered New Haven. They were really kind to give me wildcard there, so obviously my schedule has changed a little bit.
But it is a little bit disappointing. You know, it's pity, because it was my first big win and I love and fans are great there. I'm gonna miss them this year. You know, some people made me feel a little bit unwelcomed, you know.
And especially with what happened in 2008, you know, because it was year of Olympics. Tournament director approached me and asked me if I could, you know, come and play because they are struggling to get players.
I was little bit injured, and I flew from Europe to play the event, because I felt as defending champion, you know, in Montreal. I flew back to Europe and then flew to China. And, you know, after all that and winning there it's been a little bit hurtful.
But then again, it's a decision, and I have to take it. Like I said, you know, I just made a different plan and worked around it and it worked well.
Q. Will you ever play Montreal again? Do you think you're gonna stop playing there?
ANA IVANOVIC: I mean, it's very hard to say now definite. But, you know, I really love the fans there, and I love to play in Montreal. It's been, you know, great weeks I had there. But I do feel little bit unwelcome.
Q. That's what I wanted to ask you. You received a lot of the support actually from your fans for taking a stand. But for the fans that were in Montreal and were looking forward to seeing you, what would you say to them?
ANA IVANOVIC: I just want to thank them from their support, because I always felt from their side very welcome. It was always very warm feeling to come back there. I remember the first year I won there. We played on Monday and they all came out on Monday to watch us play. It was really thrilling moments for me, so I'm gonna miss them a lot.
Actually last time I was there in 2008 a fan gave me a shirt like, I love Montreal, with adidas in it. So I have good memories from it. But, you know, it's gonna be unfortunate that this year I won't be there.
Q. I think in Stanford you were thinking of going, and then now you're not. So what changed? Was it the tournament director's comments perhaps?
ANA IVANOVIC: No, not so much that. I mean, everyone is titled entitled talking, but it was that I really felt like I been ‑‑ even though I didn't play as many matches I been working really hard.
So for me, it was either to push through and play Montreal, so it would be like four tournaments in a row that I never really done in the past, or just take a week off and cool off and then go play New Haven and US Open.
They were kind to give me a wildcard in New Haven, because I was not entered. So, yeah, that basically changed my mind. Definitely too much to play five tournaments in a row and then the US Open straight after.
