Former world tennis number one Ana Ivanovic has opened up about experiencing severe panic attacks during her professional matches, revealing that she was frequently overwhelmed by fear before stepping onto the court during the latter stages of her career. Nearly a decade after retiring from the sport in 2016, the 38-year-old Serbian player shared candid details about her hidden mental health struggles in an interview on the Croatian show (Miss-)Erfolg des Champions, hosted by former football player Slaven Bilić and reported by the Croatian portal 24sata.hr.
Overwhelmed by Fear and Courtroom Pressure
During the discussion, Ivanovic detailed how the psychological toll of elite competition manifested physically just as she prepared to play. Spectators often noticed sudden shifts in her demeanor or unexpected stumbles during games, but the underlying cause remained hidden at the time.
I never talked about it, but I really had severe panic attacks,“ Ivanovic said, according to 24sata.hr. She added that audiences frequently wondered what had happened mid-match to trigger a fall or a sudden loss of form, when in reality she was simply immobilized by panic.
Career Peak and Retirement Context
Her success established her as one of the leading figures in women’s tennis during the late 2000s.
However, physical injuries ultimately forced her to cut her final season short. At the end of 2016, Ivanovic officially announced her retirement from professional tennis, explaining at the time that her body could no longer sustain the rigorous demands required to compete at the highest level.
Life After Professional Tennis
In the personal sphere, Ivanovic married German football star Bastian Schweinsteiger in the summer of 2016, shortly before concluding her tennis career. The couple announced their separation last year. Ivanovic has also maintained close ties within the tennis community, including a friendship with three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber. In June, Ivanovic traveled to Bad Homburg to participate in Kerber’s official farewell match.
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