a severe inward listening.
Jelena Janković – Overview
Jelena Janković (born 28 February 1985 in Belgrade, then Yugoslavia) is a former Serbian professional tennis player and one of the most successful players in Serbian tennis history. She reached world No. 1 in singles on 11 August 2008 and finished that season as the year-end No. 1. Janković won 15 WTA singles titles, reached 36 singles finals and compiled 644 tour-level singles victories. Her greatest Grand Slam singles achievement was reaching the 2008 US Open final. She also reached five other Grand Slam semifinals, won the 2007 Wimbledon mixed-doubles championship with Jamie Murray and attained a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 19.
Early Life
Janković was born in Belgrade to Veselin and Snežana Janković. She has two brothers, Marko and Stefan. Neither of her parents came from a professional tennis background.
She began playing tennis at approximately nine years of age after being introduced to the sport by her older brother Marko.
Early Tennis Development
Janković trained at the Red Star Tennis Club in Belgrade before moving abroad to obtain stronger international training opportunities.
As a young teenager she trained at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida, where she developed alongside other ambitious international juniors.
Junior Career
Janković was one of the world's outstanding junior players and reached junior world No. 1.
Her junior success demonstrated many of the characteristics that later defined her professional game: exceptional movement, competitive consistency and a technically strong two-handed backhand.
Australian Open Junior Champion – 2001
Janković won the Australian Open girls' singles championship in 2001.
She defeated Sofia Arvidsson 6–2, 6–1 in the final, establishing herself as one of the leading prospects of her generation.
US Open Junior Doubles Final – 2001
Later in 2001 Janković reached the US Open girls' doubles final alongside Matea Mezak.
They finished runner-up to Galina Fokina and Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Professional Beginnings
Janković turned professional in 2000 while still a teenager and initially divided her schedule between junior and senior competition.
She gradually progressed through ITF tournaments before establishing herself permanently on the WTA Tour.
First ITF Title – 2003
Janković won an important $75,000 ITF tournament in Dubai in 2003, defeating Henrieta Nagyová in the final.
The result helped propel her toward the WTA Top 100 and regular tour-level competition.
Top-100 Breakthrough
Janković entered the WTA Top 100 during 2003 and finished the season ranked world No. 85.
From that point onward she progressed rapidly toward the upper levels of women's tennis.
First WTA Title – Budapest 2004
Janković won her first WTA singles championship at Budapest in 2004.
She defeated Martina Suchá 7–6, 6–3 in the final and finished the season inside the world's Top 30.
Olympic Debut – Athens 2004
Janković made her Olympic debut at the 2004 Athens Games representing Serbia and Montenegro.
She lost in the first round of the women's singles tournament.
2005 Season
Janković reached three WTA finals during 2005, including the prestigious Dubai tournament, where she pushed world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport to three sets.
She also reached finals in Birmingham and Seoul and finished the season ranked inside the Top 25.
Difficult Start to 2006
Janković experienced one of the most dramatic periods of her career during the first half of 2006, losing ten consecutive matches.
She later acknowledged seriously considering leaving professional tennis during this period.
Turning Point – Rome 2006
Her fortunes began changing at the Italian Open in Rome, where she finally ended the prolonged losing streak.
The improvement restored her confidence and initiated a remarkable transformation during the second half of the season.
US Open Semifinal – 2006
Janković produced her first major Grand Slam breakthrough at the 2006 US Open.
She defeated several strong opponents, including Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Dementieva, before losing to Justine Henin in the semifinals.
2006 Recovery
After beginning the season in severe difficulty, Janković finished 2006 ranked world No. 12.
The turnaround became an important part of her career narrative and demonstrated the resilience that would characterize her subsequent rise to world No. 1.
Breakthrough Season – 2007
The 2007 season established Janković among the elite of women's tennis. She won four singles titles, reached numerous finals and semifinals and led the WTA Tour with 72 match victories.
She climbed to world No. 3 and finished the season at that ranking.
Auckland Champion – 2007
Janković began 2007 by winning the Auckland title.
She defeated Vera Zvonareva in a demanding three-set final, collecting the second WTA singles championship of her career.
Charleston Champion – 2007
Janković won the prestigious Charleston title on green clay in April 2007.
She defeated Dinara Safina in the final, confirming that her movement and defensive skills were particularly effective on slower surfaces.
Rome Champion – 2007
Janković captured one of the largest titles of her career at the Italian Open in Rome in 2007.
She defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final and firmly established herself among the leading clay-court players in the world.
Birmingham Champion – 2007
Janković demonstrated her versatility by winning the Birmingham grass-court title in 2007.
She defeated Maria Sharapova in a dramatic three-set final, proving that her game could succeed on every major surface.
Roland Garros Semifinal – 2007
Janković reached her first Roland Garros semifinal in 2007.
She lost to eventual champion Justine Henin but established herself as a genuine Grand Slam contender.
Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Champion – 2007
Janković won the 2007 Wimbledon mixed-doubles championship alongside Britain's Jamie Murray.
The partnership became highly popular with the Wimbledon crowd and gave Janković the only Grand Slam championship of her senior career.
2007 Season Statistics
Janković played an exceptionally heavy schedule in 2007 and recorded 72 singles victories, more than any other player on the WTA Tour.
Her consistency across hard, clay and grass courts was one of the defining features of her rise toward No. 1.
2008 – Peak Season
The 2008 season was the statistical and ranking peak of Janković's career. She reached three Grand Slam semifinals or better, became world No. 1, reached her only Grand Slam singles final and finished the year as the top-ranked woman in tennis.
Australian Open Semifinal – 2008
Janković reached the Australian Open semifinals in 2008.
Her tournament included a marathon first-round victory over Tamira Paszek before she progressed through the draw and eventually lost to Maria Sharapova.
Miami Final – 2008
Janković reached the final of the Miami Open in 2008.
Serena Williams defeated her in three sets, but the result added valuable ranking points during Janković's pursuit of the No. 1 position.
Rome Champion – 2008
Janković successfully defended her Italian Open championship in 2008.
She defeated Alizé Cornet in the final and became a back-to-back champion at one of the most prestigious clay-court tournaments outside Roland Garros.
Roland Garros Semifinal – 2008
Janković reached the Roland Garros semifinals for the second consecutive year in 2008.
She lost an extremely important match to Ana Ivanović, with the winner guaranteed to become world No. 1.
Ivanović won the match and subsequently captured the championship.
Becoming World No. 1
Janković became world No. 1 for the first time on 11 August 2008.
She became the eighteenth woman to hold the WTA No. 1 ranking and the first Serbian woman other than Ana Ivanović to reach the position.
No. 1 Without a Grand Slam Title
When Janković first became No. 1, she had not yet reached a Grand Slam singles final.
This unusual circumstance generated considerable discussion at the time, but her ranking reflected exceptional consistency across the full twelve-month WTA calendar rather than dependence on one major tournament.
US Open Final – 2008
Janković reached the only Grand Slam singles final of her career at the 2008 US Open.
She defeated Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round, Sybille Bammer in the quarterfinal and Elena Dementieva in the semifinal.
US Open Final Against Serena Williams
Janković faced Serena Williams in the 2008 US Open championship match.
Williams won 6–4, 7–5 in a competitive final, preventing Janković from capturing the major singles title that would ultimately remain absent from her résumé.
Autumn Dominance – 2008
Janković responded to the US Open defeat with one of the finest winning sequences of her career.
She captured three consecutive tournaments during the autumn in Beijing, Stuttgart and Moscow.
Beijing Champion – 2008
Janković won the China Open in Beijing, defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final.
The championship began a sequence of three consecutive titles that secured her position at the top of the rankings.
Stuttgart Champion – 2008
Janković followed Beijing by winning Stuttgart.
She defeated Nadia Petrova in the final and continued one of the most dominant stretches of her career.
Moscow Champion – 2008
Janković completed her three-week title sequence by winning the Kremlin Cup in Moscow.
The run effectively secured her position as the year-end world No. 1.
Year-End World No. 1 – 2008
Janković finished 2008 ranked world No. 1.
She reached at least the quarterfinals in 19 of the 21 tournaments she contested and recorded 65 match victories, tied for the tour lead.
Weeks at World No. 1
Janković spent a total of 18 weeks at world No. 1 across her career, including 17 consecutive weeks spanning the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009.
Her No. 1 ranking remains one of the defining achievements of Serbian women's tennis.
2009 Season
Janković was unable to reproduce the extraordinary consistency of 2008 but remained firmly among the world's elite.
She won two titles, reached the WTA Championships semifinals and finished the season ranked world No. 8.
Marbella Champion – 2009
Janković won the inaugural Andalucia Tennis Experience in Marbella in 2009.
She defeated Carla Suárez Navarro in the final to capture another clay-court championship.
Cincinnati Champion – 2009
Janković won one of the most prestigious hard-court titles of her career at Cincinnati in 2009.
She defeated world No. 1 Dinara Safina in the final after saving match points against Elena Dementieva in an extraordinary semifinal.
WTA Championships – 2009
Janković reached the semifinals of the season-ending WTA Championships for the second consecutive year.
She lost to Venus Williams but remained established among the leading players in the world.
Indian Wells Champion – 2010
Janković won the Indian Wells title in 2010, one of the biggest championships of her career.
She defeated Caroline Wozniacki 6–2, 6–4 in the final.
Rome Final – 2010
Janković produced another exceptional Italian Open performance in 2010.
During the tournament she defeated both Venus Williams and Serena Williams before losing the final to MarÃa José MartÃnez Sánchez.
Defeating Both Williams Sisters
By defeating Venus and Serena Williams in consecutive matches in Rome in 2010, Janković joined a relatively small group of players to defeat both sisters at the same tournament.
The achievement ranks among the most impressive individual tournament sequences of her career.
Roland Garros Semifinal – 2010
Janković reached her third Roland Garros semifinal in 2010.
She was defeated by Samantha Stosur, who had eliminated Justine Henin and Serena Williams earlier in the tournament.
2010 Year-End Ranking
Janković finished 2010 ranked world No. 8.
It was her fourth consecutive season ending inside the Top 10.
2011 Season
Janković remained a leading player during 2011 but did not win a singles title.
She reached finals in Monterrey and Cincinnati and finished the year ranked No. 14.
2012 Season
Janković's ranking declined further during 2012, and she finished the season at No. 22.
She nevertheless remained capable of deep tournament runs and continued representing Serbia extensively in international team competition.
Serbia Fed Cup Final – 2012
Janković helped Serbia reach its first Fed Cup final in 2012.
Alongside Ana Ivanović and the rest of the Serbian team, she helped produce the strongest Fed Cup campaign in the country's history.
Fed Cup Final Against Czech Republic
Serbia faced the Czech Republic in Prague in the 2012 final.
The Czech team won the tie 3–1, leaving Serbia as runner-up.
Resurgence – 2013
Janković enjoyed a major career resurgence during 2013.
After beginning the year outside the Top 20, she returned to the Top 10, reached several important finals and qualified for the season-ending championships.
Bogotá Champion – 2013
Janković won the Bogotá title in February 2013.
It was her first singles championship since Indian Wells nearly three years earlier.
Charleston Final – 2013
Janković returned to the Charleston final in 2013, six years after winning the tournament.
She finished runner-up to Serena Williams.
Beijing Final – 2013
Janković reached the China Open final in Beijing during her excellent 2013 season.
She again faced Serena Williams and finished runner-up.
WTA Championships Semifinal – 2013
Janković qualified for the WTA Championships in Istanbul and reached the semifinals.
It was her third career semifinal appearance at the season-ending championships.
2013 Year-End Ranking
Janković finished 2013 ranked world No. 8.
The achievement returned her to the year-end Top 10 five years after finishing 2008 as world No. 1.
Doubles Success – Toronto 2013
Janković partnered Slovenian doubles specialist Katarina Srebotnik to win the prestigious Toronto doubles championship in 2013.
The result contributed to the strongest doubles period of Janković's career.
Wimbledon Doubles Quarterfinal – 2013
Janković reached the Wimbledon women's doubles quarterfinals in 2013.
This remains her best women's doubles result at a Grand Slam tournament.
Career-High Doubles Ranking
Janković reached a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 19 on 9 June 2014.
Although singles always remained her priority, she was therefore also capable of competing at a very high professional level in doubles.
2014 Season
Janković remained inside the world's Top 20 throughout much of 2014 and finished the season ranked No. 16.
Her strongest results included the Bogotá final and semifinals in Brisbane, Doha and Stuttgart.
Back Problems
Recurring back problems increasingly affected Janković during the later years of her career.
Physical limitations reduced her consistency and contributed to a gradual decline from the level she had maintained during her prime.
Indian Wells Final – 2015
Janković produced one of the finest late-career tournaments of her career at Indian Wells in 2015.
Five years after winning the title, she returned to the final before losing a dramatic three-set match to Simona Halep.
Wimbledon 2015
Janković reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2015 after defeating defending champion Petra Kvitová in three sets.
The victory over the two-time Wimbledon champion was one of Janković's most memorable late-career Grand Slam performances.
Guangzhou Champion – 2015
Janković won the Guangzhou International Women's Open in September 2015.
She defeated Denisa Allertová in the final without dropping a set.
Hong Kong Champion – 2015
Janković won another title in Hong Kong only weeks after her Guangzhou victory.
She defeated Angelique Kerber in a three-set final. It became the fifteenth and final WTA singles championship of her career.
2015 Year-End Ranking
Janković finished 2015 ranked world No. 21.
At age thirty, she remained capable of winning multiple WTA titles and defeating leading Top-10 opponents.
2016 Season
Janković's results became increasingly inconsistent during 2016 as physical problems continued.
She finished the season ranked world No. 55, her lowest year-end position since the early stages of her career.
Olympic Games
Janković competed in Olympic tennis at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 in singles.
Her best Olympic singles result came in Beijing, where she reached the quarterfinals.
Beijing Olympics – 2008
Janković entered the Beijing Olympics as the newly crowned world No. 1.
She reached the quarterfinals before losing to eventual silver medalist Dinara Safina.
Rio Olympics – 2016
Janković also participated in women's doubles at the 2016 Rio Olympics alongside Aleksandra Krunić.
The Serbian pair were eliminated in the first round.
2017 – Final Professional Season
The 2017 season became Janković's final year of regular professional competition.
Injuries increasingly restricted her schedule and her ranking fell outside the Top 100.
Final WTA Match
Janković played her final official WTA singles match at the 2017 US Open.
She lost in the first round to Petra Kvitová.
Departure from the Tour
Janković did not initially announce a formal retirement after 2017. Instead, she stopped competing while dealing with persistent physical problems.
Her absence gradually became permanent, and the WTA now lists her as inactive and recognizes her among its former champions and legends.
Grand Slam Singles Record
Janković reached at least the semifinal stage at three of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Australian Open – Semifinal (2008)
Roland Garros – Semifinal (2007, 2008, 2010)
Wimbledon – Fourth round (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2015)
US Open – Final (2008)
US Open
The US Open was Janković's most successful Grand Slam in terms of her deepest result.
She reached the semifinals in 2006 and the championship match in 2008, losing the latter to Serena Williams.
Roland Garros
Roland Garros was arguably Janković's most consistently successful major.
She reached the semifinals three times, in 2007, 2008 and 2010, and her exceptional movement made her particularly difficult to defeat on clay.
Australian Open
Janković's best Australian Open performance came in 2008 when she reached the semifinals.
She was also the Australian Open junior singles champion seven years earlier in 2001.
Wimbledon
Wimbledon was the only Grand Slam at which Janković never reached the singles quarterfinals.
She reached the fourth round five times but enjoyed her only senior Grand Slam championship at Wimbledon, winning mixed doubles in 2007.
WTA Singles Titles
Janković won 15 WTA singles championships during her career.
Her titles included major events in Rome, Cincinnati and Indian Wells as well as championships on hard courts, clay, grass and indoor surfaces.
WTA Singles Finals
Janković reached 36 WTA singles finals, winning 15 titles and finishing runner-up 21 times.
The large number of finals illustrates the consistency that allowed her to reach world No. 1 despite never winning a Grand Slam singles championship.
Major Singles Titles
Among Janković's most important singles championships were:
Rome – 2007, 2008
Charleston – 2007
Beijing – 2008
Stuttgart – 2008
Moscow – 2008
Cincinnati – 2009
Indian Wells – 2010
WTA Finals
Janković qualified repeatedly for the season-ending WTA Championships during her prime.
She reached the semifinals in 2008, 2009 and 2013 but never advanced to the championship match.
Doubles Career
Although primarily a singles player, Janković won two WTA women's doubles titles and reached world No. 19 in doubles.
Her best Grand Slam women's doubles result was the Wimbledon quarterfinal in 2013.
Mixed Doubles
Janković's mixed-doubles partnership with Jamie Murray at Wimbledon in 2007 became one of the most memorable side stories of that year's championships.
The pair won the title and developed an entertaining on-court rapport that made them particularly popular with spectators.
Billie Jean King Cup
Janković represented Serbia and its predecessor national teams for more than a decade in Fed Cup, now the Billie Jean King Cup.
She compiled a 34–16 overall record and was central to Serbia's emergence as a significant force in women's team tennis.
2012 Fed Cup Final
The high point of Janković's national-team career came when Serbia reached the 2012 Fed Cup final.
Although Serbia lost to the Czech Republic, reaching the championship tie remains the country's best result in the competition.
Hopman Cup
Janković represented Serbia at the Hopman Cup and reached the final alongside Novak Djokovic in 2008.
The mixed-team format highlighted both her strong national identity and her ability to perform effectively alongside Serbia's other leading players.
Playing Style
Janković was a right-handed player with a two-handed backhand. At 1.77 m, she possessed sufficient height for a solid serve but built her game primarily around movement, consistency, counterpunching and precise baseline placement.
She was particularly effective at absorbing an opponent's pace and redirecting the ball into open areas of the court.
Movement
Movement was one of Janković's greatest strengths. She possessed excellent lateral speed, balance and anticipation and became famous for sliding effectively not only on clay but also on hard courts.
Her ability to defend seemingly lost points frequently forced opponents to attempt increasingly risky winners.
Backhand
Janković's two-handed backhand was her signature stroke and one of the finest in women's tennis during her peak years.
The backhand down the line was particularly dangerous and allowed her to change the direction of rallies without obvious preparation.
Backhand Down the Line
Janković herself frequently identified the backhand down the line as the shot that earned her the most success.
She could redirect powerful cross-court shots suddenly and accurately, transforming defensive exchanges into immediate attacking opportunities.
Forehand
The forehand was generally less naturally destructive than her backhand but remained a reliable rally stroke.
Janković used angles, depth and changes of direction rather than relying exclusively on outright pace.
Serve
The serve was not Janković's principal weapon and could occasionally become vulnerable under pressure.
Her exceptional return game and baseline movement compensated for this weakness, allowing her to win matches without accumulating large numbers of aces or inexpensive service points.
Return of Serve
Janković was one of the strongest returners of her generation.
Her anticipation and compact groundstrokes allowed her to neutralize powerful serves and immediately establish long baseline exchanges, an important reason for her success against physically stronger opponents.
Defense to Attack
One of Janković's defining qualities was her ability to move rapidly from defense into attack.
She could retrieve a powerful shot from an apparently hopeless position and then redirect the next ball aggressively down the line.
Surface Versatility
Janković won WTA titles on hard courts, clay, grass and indoor surfaces.
Although the ITF listed hard court as her preferred surface, her movement and sliding ability made her particularly formidable on clay.
Clay-Court Strength
Janković's two consecutive Rome championships and three Roland Garros semifinals demonstrate her exceptional clay-court ability.
Her movement, patience and defensive skills were particularly effective in long rallies on slower surfaces.
Grass-Court Ability
Although Wimbledon was statistically her weakest Grand Slam in singles, Janković was capable of excellent grass-court tennis.
She won Birmingham in 2007 by defeating Maria Sharapova and captured the Wimbledon mixed-doubles championship only weeks later.
Personality on Court
Janković was one of the most expressive personalities of her era. She frequently communicated with coaches, officials, spectators and even opponents during matches.
Her humor, emotional reactions and willingness to engage with crowds made her unusually recognizable beyond her ranking and results.
Relationship with Crowds
Janković generally enjoyed interacting with spectators and developed a reputation as one of the WTA Tour's most entertaining personalities.
Her matches often combined high-level defensive tennis with visible frustration, laughter and spontaneous exchanges with the audience.
Rivalry with Ana Ivanović
Janković and Ana Ivanović formed one of the defining rivalries of Serbian women's tennis.
Both were born in Belgrade, both reached world No. 1 and both emerged during the extraordinary rise of Serbian tennis in the late 2000s.
2008 Roland Garros Semifinal
The most consequential match between Janković and Ivanović came in the 2008 Roland Garros semifinals.
The match effectively determined both a Grand Slam finalist and the next world No. 1. Ivanović won in three sets and subsequently captured the title.
Serbian Golden Generation
Janković's rise coincided with an extraordinary period for Serbian tennis involving Novak Djokovic, Ana Ivanović and later numerous other internationally successful players.
In 2008 both Janković and Ivanović held the women's world No. 1 ranking while Djokovic established himself among the leading men's players.
Career Match Record
WTA records credit Janković with 644 singles victories and 370 defeats during her career.
Her 644 victories place her among the most prolific match winners of her generation.
Eight Top-10 Seasons
Janković completed eight seasons ranked inside the world's Top 10.
This sustained consistency is one of the strongest statistical arguments for her importance within the era dominated by players such as Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Justine Henin, Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters.
Career Prize Money
Janković earned US$19,089,259 in official career prize money.
Her earnings reflect more than fifteen years of high-level tour competition, 36 singles finals and sustained participation in Grand Slam and premier WTA tournaments.
UNICEF Ambassador
Janković served as a UNICEF National Ambassador for Serbia.
The role reflected her status as one of Serbia's most internationally recognizable athletes during the peak of her career.
National Recognition
Janković received significant recognition in Serbia for her sporting achievements.
In 2017 she was awarded the Order of Karađorđe's Star, one of Serbia's important national honors.
Life After Professional Competition
After leaving regular competition, Janković largely withdrew from the public intensity of the professional tour.
She has made occasional appearances at tennis exhibitions and special events but has not attempted a return to full-time professional competition.
Career Highlights
Full name: Jelena Janković
Born: 28 February 1985, Belgrade
Nationality: Serbian
Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 9½ in)
Plays: Right-handed, two-handed backhand
Started playing tennis: Age 9
Turned professional: 2000
Final regular WTA season: 2017
Current status: Inactive / former professional
Junior world ranking: No. 1
Australian Open junior singles champion: 2001
Career-high singles ranking: No. 1 (11 August 2008)
Year-end world No. 1: 2008
Weeks at world No. 1: 18
Career-high doubles ranking: No. 19 (9 June 2014)
WTA singles titles: 15
WTA singles finals: 36
WTA doubles titles: 2
Career singles record: 644–370
Best Australian Open singles result: Semifinal (2008)
Best Roland Garros singles result: Semifinal (2007, 2008, 2010)
Best Wimbledon singles result: Fourth round (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2015)
Best US Open singles result: Final (2008)
Wimbledon mixed doubles champion: 2007, with Jamie Murray
Best Wimbledon women's doubles result: Quarterfinal (2013)
WTA Championships: Semifinal (2008, 2009, 2013)
Olympic singles: Quarterfinal (Beijing 2008)
Fed Cup/Billie Jean King Cup: Finalist (2012)
Fed Cup overall record: 34–16
Career prize money: US$19,089,259
Career Trajectory
Janković's career developed from junior world No. 1 and Australian Open junior champion into one of the most consistent players of the late 2000s. After winning her first WTA title in Budapest in 2004, she endured a severe confidence crisis during 2006 before recovering spectacularly to reach the US Open semifinals.
Her breakthrough in 2007 brought four titles and a tour-leading 72 match victories. The following season she reached the Australian Open and Roland Garros semifinals, became world No. 1 and contested the US Open final before winning three consecutive autumn tournaments.
Janković finished 2008 as the world's top-ranked player and remained among the elite for several more seasons. Cincinnati in 2009 and Indian Wells in 2010 added two of her largest hard-court championships, while a third Roland Garros semifinal confirmed her continuing strength on clay.
After declining outside the Top 20, she successfully rebuilt her ranking and returned to world No. 8 in 2013. Even in her thirties she remained dangerous, reaching the 2015 Indian Wells final and winning titles in Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Physical problems increasingly affected her final seasons, and after the 2017 US Open she ceased regular professional competition.
Legacy
Janković occupies an unusual position in tennis history because she reached and finished a season at world No. 1 without winning a Grand Slam singles title. This sometimes overshadowed the extraordinary consistency required to achieve her ranking.
During 2008 she reached at least the quarterfinals in 19 of 21 tournaments, reached her first Grand Slam final and then won three consecutive tournaments during the autumn. Her No. 1 ranking therefore represented sustained performance across the entire tour rather than a single exceptional result.
Her résumé extends well beyond the ranking: 15 WTA singles titles, 36 finals, 644 victories, six Grand Slam semifinal-or-better appearances, three WTA Championships semifinals, two WTA doubles titles and a Wimbledon mixed-doubles championship.
Assessment
Jelena Janković was one of the finest defensive and counterpunching players of her generation. Exceptional court coverage, balance, anticipation and a world-class backhand allowed her to compete successfully against opponents with substantially greater serving and groundstroke power.
Her backhand down the line became her signature weapon, while her ability to slide and defend on virtually every surface made her exceptionally difficult to finish points against. At her peak she combined those defensive qualities with enough aggression to dictate rallies rather than merely retrieve.
The absence of a Grand Slam singles title remains the obvious missing achievement in an otherwise exceptional career. She came closest at the 2008 US Open, where Serena Williams defeated her in the final, and she reached five additional major semifinals without advancing to another championship match.
Nevertheless, reaching world No. 1, finishing 2008 as year-end No. 1, spending eight seasons inside the Top 10 and accumulating more than 600 career victories place Janković firmly among the outstanding players of her era. Together with Ana Ivanović and Novak Djokovic, she was also a central figure in Serbia's emergence as a major tennis nation during the late 2000s.
all texts by ChatGPT