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Jankovic: I’ve lost my motivation


 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:35

Jelena Jankovic cut a fairly desolate figure in Eastbourne on Tuesday after losing to Russias Anna Chakvetadze in the first round of the AEGON International.

The world No.6 and third seed at Devonshire Park went down 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 in just over two hours and afterwards said that she has lost some of the motivation that took her to the world No.1 ranking at the end of 2008.

‘I wish I could have a break now’

Even as she was settling down to speak to the press she muttered Im so sore under her breath. It was a sign of her mental state.

After talking about how weak her legs had felt in the third set and how shed lacked any real energy as the match wore on she spoke honestly about her game heading into Wimbledon.

Ill just try to play the best that I can, said the 24-year-old. I have some days to practice to work on some things but to get better and improve it takes more than a few days.

It takes lots of practice, lots of repetition and lots of hard work. Im missing a little bit of motivation that I used to have before.

Im not doing that bad, you know Im still No.9 in the race but its far from what my calibre is and what I could play and what my results could be.

Ive been No.1 in the world and its not so easy. Its a constant battle against yourself, you need to be disciplined… when you want to eat chocolate you have to say

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.