Ana Ivanovic
A Serbian tennis star whose powerful forehand and radiant smile captivated the world on her climb to the number one ranking.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Serbian former tennis player·Birthday: November 6·Millennials
Biography
Ana Ivanovic announced herself to the tennis world not just with thunderous groundstrokes but with a potent combination of power and poise. Hitting against a concrete wall in Belgrade during the NATO bombings, she developed a game built around a devastating forehand. She turned professional at 15 and quickly rose through the ranks, her breakthrough arriving in 2007 when she reached the French Open final, becoming a national hero in Serbia. The following year, she conquered Roland Garros, defeating Dinara Safina to claim her first and only Grand Slam title. That victory propelled her to the world No. 1 ranking, a position she held for 12 weeks. While injuries and fluctuations in form prevented her from adding more major trophies, she remained a formidable and beloved presence on tour for a decade, winning 15 WTA titles. Known for her gracious demeanor and megawatt smile, Ivanovic’s legacy is that of a trailblazer who helped put Serbian tennis on the map, inspiring a generation that followed. She retired in 2016, leaving the sport as one of its most recognizable and respected ambassadors.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ana was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ana Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Ana's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the French Open in 2008, defeating Dinara Safina in the final to claim her sole Grand Slam singles title.
- Achieved the World No. 1 ranking in women's singles on June 9, 2008, holding it for 12 non-consecutive weeks.
- Captured 15 Women's Tennis Association (WTA) singles titles over the course of her professional career.
- Won the year-end WTA Tournament of Champions (later the WTA Elite Trophy) twice, in 2010 and 2011.
- Reached the final of the Australian Open in 2008 and the French Open in 2007, finishing as runner-up both times.
Did You Know?
She is a UNICEF National Ambassador for Serbia, focusing on education and child protection initiatives.
Ivanovic is married to German professional footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger, and they have two children together.
She was named one of the '30 Legends of Women's Tennis' by Time magazine in 2011.
Her favorite shot was her forehand, which was widely considered one of the most powerful and effective weapons on the WTA tour.
She learned to play tennis in an abandoned swimming pool that was converted into a tennis court in Belgrade.
““I think pressure is a privilege. It means people believe in you and expect something from you.””
