Jankovic feeling the heat

 

Originally published on: 26/10/10 12:04

Jelena Jankovic has revealed her fitness concerns ahead of her crunch opener with world No.2 Vera Zvonareva at the WTA Championships in Doha.

“I’m having some health problems, I have sinus problems,” admitted the weary Jankovic at the pre-tournament press conference. “I was sick before I came to Moscow and I’m still not 100 percent. I’m not in the form I was in the first half of the season, but that’s due to a lot of injuries.

“I twisted my ankle and had back problems so that also resulted in not good preparation, not being able to practice as hard as I normally practice. That also affected my confidence.”

And the sweltering Doha climate has also contributed to the Serb feeling under the weather, she believes.

“I think for me it’s a change, because I came from Serbia,” explained Jankovic, who makes her fourth appearance at the year-end showpiece tournament this week.

“I came from home, which was very cold. When I showed up here at the airport I was with my winter boots. I went outside and I was in shock. I was sweating and it was very hot.

“I was at home in Serbia and in Moscow, which was zero degrees and minus. So I’m white. You can see I have no tan,” added Jankovic.

The 25-year-old will not be alone in worrying about the searing heat, and though organisers have scheduled matches for the evening, the former world No.1 still believes temperatures will play a major factor in determining the winner.

“I have to just try my best to adjust to this heat and the humidity. But I’ve been here in the past,” said Jankovic. “I think whoever is going to be the fittest, whoever can survive in these kind of conditions, is going to do the best.”

The Serb will have to adapt quickly. She faces Vera Zvonareva on Tuesday afternoon for a chance to take an early lead in the White Group, which she also shares with Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka.

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