Ivanovic: Bad '08 decision not all my fault

Former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic says that the toughest stint in her career was after she won her sole Grand Slam title at 2008 Roland Garros and became injured with both thumb and wrist injuries shortly afterward. She kept attempting to practice and compete, but had little to show for it. She ended up having to pull out of the Olympics and lost early at the US Open.

"When I played US Open, I played it with like five days of practice," she told reporters at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. "So I would still play US Open, but I probably would have taken time off straightaway rather than later. I think it affected a bit my confidence, especially with all the expectations as the world No. 1."

Ivanovic, who was only 20 at the time, admitted that she was not the only one who was responsible for her decision to keep attempting to get on court when she probably should have rested.

"I was the one who was motivated and who wanted to practice,” said Ivanovic, who was being coached by adidas player development at the time. “But still, I think people around me could have stepped up a little bit more. Because I was really young, and I didn't know what to expect with all the expectations. I was doing so well, and I never really had big disappointment.  So I felt like, “Oh, I can do anything. I can even play with one hand.’ There were people who maybe should have said, ‘Hey, you know, just step aside a little bit and this and that.’  But it was their first time probably, as well. So I can't really blame anyone. But I would have maybe changed that now with the experience I have." - Matt Cronin