Serbian Ana Ivanovic Retires From Tennis

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia retired from tennis at age 29 on Wednesday December 28. 2016. This put an end to her career in which she was ranked No. 1 in 2008 but was dogged with persistent injuries that took a toll on her career.

On a Facebook live broadcast she said, "it was a difficult decision, but there is so much to celebrate." She won 15 tour titles, including the 2008 French Open, and is now ranked No. 63.

"It's been well-known that I've been hampered by injuries. ... I can only play if I can perform up to my own high standards and I can no longer do that," she said. "So it's time to move on."

Ivanovic became a UNICEF national ambassador for Serbia in 2007 and says that position will figure in her plans.

"I will become an ambassador of sport and healthy life. I will also explore opportunities in business, beauty and fashion among other endeavors," she said on her Facebook page. "I will also have more time for my philanthropic activities with my work with UNICEF. I've lived my dreams and I really hope to help others do so as well."

Serena Williams bows out from Australian Open, lost to Ana Ivanovic

Melbourne - Serbia's Ana Ivanovic Sunday was victorious against a Top seeded and struggling Serena Williams who is plagued by injuries. The lost denies her an 18th major title and the chance to win a rare calendar-year Grand Slam.

Serena got the 1st set but Ivanovic was too much and capitalized on Serena's errors as she power her way through a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory.

The lost also means that she will not be able to join Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova on 18 Grand Slams, and draw nearer to Steffi Graf's Open-era record of 22.

Ivanovic, the former world number one who is resurgent under new coach Nemanja Kontic, will now play either up-and-coming Canadian Eugenie Bouchard, 19, or Australia's Casey Dellacqua.

Serena sweeps past Errani into Madrid final

The defending champion Serena Williams was too strong for the Italian seventh seed Sara Errani, defeating Sara with 7-5 6-2. She is now waiting for a finals match with either Maria Sharapova or Ana Ivanovic.

"I usually just stay in my room really and be the most boring person you can ever imagine. That's kind of the way I get focused," Serena said.

Williams is looking forward to the finals match as Russian Sharapova and Ivanovic of Serbia are among the players on the Tour who can come close to matching her power.

"I look forward to it"

"I feel like this whole tournament I've only played clay court players from my first round to now.

"Everyone was also smaller than me. So I think tomorrow will be a really good match. Different game. More power obviously, but still a lot of the consistency" Williams said.