Meet Serbia’s tennis superstars | CNN

CNN values your feedback

1. How relevant is this ad to you?
2. Did you encounter any technical issues?
Thank You!
Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.
Close
Ad Feedback
World
Africa
Americas
Asia
Australia
China
Europe
India
Middle East
United Kingdom
More
Africa Americas Asia Australia China Europe India Middle East United Kingdom
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
Edition
US
International
Arabic
Español
Edition
  • US
  • International
  • Arabic
  • Español

Africa
Americas
Asia
Australia
China
Europe
India
Middle East
United Kingdom

Follow CNN

  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • 2025 Elections
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
    • Foreseeable Future
    • Mission: Ahead
    • Work Transformed
    • Innovative Cities
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
    • Climbing
    • Esports
    • Hockey
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN10
    • CNN Max
    • CNN TV Schedules
  • Listen
    • CNN 5 Things
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • One Thing
    • Tug of War
    • CNN Political Briefing
    • The Axe Files
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • All CNN Audio podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN
Ad Feedback

Meet Serbia’s tennis superstars

Published 6:02 AM EST, Fri December 19, 2014
Link Copied!
Belgrade-born Novak Djokovic, the world's number one male tennis player, is the poster boy for Serbia's recent athletic resurgence.
Meet Serbia's tennis superstars —
Belgrade-born Novak Djokovic, the world's number one male tennis player, is the poster boy for Serbia's recent athletic resurgence.
Chris Hyde/Getty Images
In July, 27-year-old Djokovic won his seventh grand slam title after beating Roger Federer in a five-set Wimbledon thriller.
Meet Serbia's tennis superstars —
In July, 27-year-old Djokovic won his seventh grand slam title after beating Roger Federer in a five-set Wimbledon thriller.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Djokovic celebrates after a historic win against Gael Monfils at the Davis Cup tennis match finals between Serbia and France in December 2010.
Meet Serbia's tennis superstars —
Djokovic celebrates after a historic win against Gael Monfils at the Davis Cup tennis match finals between Serbia and France in December 2010.
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images/file
A former world number one, Ana Ivanovic claimed the 2008 French Open at just 20 years old.  After years of injury-related problems, she's recently returned to the elite of female tennis -- the 27-year-old Serbian athlete is the current world number five.
Meet Serbia's tennis superstars —
A former world number one, Ana Ivanovic claimed the 2008 French Open at just 20 years old. After years of injury-related problems, she's recently returned to the elite of female tennis -- the 27-year-old Serbian athlete is the current world number five.
Michael Dodge/Getty Images
Ivanovic has known compatriot Djokovic since they were four-year-olds and the pair went on to play in junior tennis competitions together. They have also represented Serbia in doubles in the past.
Meet Serbia's tennis superstars —
Ivanovic has known compatriot Djokovic since they were four-year-olds and the pair went on to play in junior tennis competitions together. They have also represented Serbia in doubles in the past.
Paul Kane/Getty Image
Ivanovic became a UNICEF National Ambassador for Serbia in September 2007, while she has also gone on to appear on the cover of a number of magazines around the world such as FHM, Grazia, Vanity Fair and Cosmopolitan. Last year, Forbes rated her as the ninth highest-paid female athlete in 2013 with total earnings of $7 million -- largely thanks to lucrative sponsorship deals.
Meet Serbia's tennis superstars —
Ivanovic became a UNICEF National Ambassador for Serbia in September 2007, while she has also gone on to appear on the cover of a number of magazines around the world such as FHM, Grazia, Vanity Fair and Cosmopolitan. Last year, Forbes rated her as the ninth highest-paid female athlete in 2013 with total earnings of $7 million -- largely thanks to lucrative sponsorship deals.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Currently the world number 11, Jelena Jankovic is the second highest ranked Serbian behind Ivanovic. The 29-year-old is also a former number one.
Meet Serbia's tennis superstars —
Currently the world number 11, Jelena Jankovic is the second highest ranked Serbian behind Ivanovic. The 29-year-old is also a former number one.
Adam Pretty/Bongarts/Getty Images/file
At 38, Nenad Zimonjic (center) has enjoyed a long and winning singles and doubles career, including Davis Cup victories for Serbia on home turf.
Meet Serbia's tennis superstars —
At 38, Nenad Zimonjic (center) has enjoyed a long and winning singles and doubles career, including Davis Cup victories for Serbia on home turf.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/file
"In the past, we didn't have that much success in individual sports but it turned out to be that our generation was maybe the beginning of something new -- you know to have world number ones, for such a small country, it was amazing," says the father of two.
Meet Serbia's tennis superstars —
"In the past, we didn't have that much success in individual sports but it turned out to be that our generation was maybe the beginning of something new -- you know to have world number ones, for such a small country, it was amazing," says the father of two.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/file
A four times ATP World Tour title winner, Janko Tipsarevic reached his career high in April 2012 when he rose to world number eight.
Meet Serbia's tennis superstars —
A four times ATP World Tour title winner, Janko Tipsarevic reached his career high in April 2012 when he rose to world number eight.
DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images/file
Ivana Jorovic is an up-and-coming Serbian tennis sensation and a former world junior number one. "We are really strong people and I think that is what makes us so special," says the 17-year-old.
Meet Serbia's tennis superstars —
Ivana Jorovic is an up-and-coming Serbian tennis sensation and a former world junior number one. "We are really strong people and I think that is what makes us so special," says the 17-year-old.
Jan Kruger/Getty Images/file

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • 2025 Elections
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
    • Foreseeable Future
    • Mission: Ahead
    • Work Transformed
    • Innovative Cities
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
    • Climbing
    • Esports
    • Hockey
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN10
    • CNN Max
    • CNN TV Schedules
  • Listen
    • CNN 5 Things
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • One Thing
    • Tug of War
    • CNN Political Briefing
    • The Axe Files
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • All CNN Audio podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

World
Watch Listen Live TV
Follow CNN
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ad Choices Accessibility & CC About Newsletters Transcripts

© 2025 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.
CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.