Thanks to our reader Soko we’re learning about this very surprising piece of news – Ana Ivanovic will team up with established Serbian mixed doubles player Nenad Zimonjic for the 2011 Australian Open and they are even planning to follow it up with a joined appearance at the 2012 London Olympics.
Ivanovic can learn more than a trick or two from Zimonjic – the father of twins has won 38 doubles titles including three Grand Slams and four mixed doubles titles, all four at Grand Slams.
Ivanovic and Zimonjic are planning to play only the Australian Open together, while at other Grand Slams Zimonjic will get back to playing with Slovenia’s Katarina Srebotnik.
It will be Ivanovic’s and Zimonjic’s first time to join forces and if they happen to win the 2012 London Olympics they will enter history books as the winners of the first mixed doubles event at the Summer Olympics.
It would be great if Ivanovic would repeat the same surprising success her countrywoman Jelena Jankovic had with Jamie Murrey at Wimbledon in 2007. (source: Vesti Online, photo: sr_cranks)
I heard that they will not only play AO 2010 but maybe even Wimbledon since the 2012 Tennis portion of the Olympics will indeed be played at Wimbledon! I also heard they will play many more tournaments together in 2012 before the Olympics to get ready. I think this is a GREAT idea. They should concentrate on winning the mixed doubles title while JJ and Nole should focus on winning a medal in singles. I am sure Ana will play singles also and Nole doubles with Zimonjic. Nevertheless, Ana will certainly improve her form and net play, as doubles certainly improves your quality up at the net with all the volleys and what not! I am really excited to see them play doubles, it will be a great experience for both.
I saw them/talked to them both at the Rogers Cup in the past years and honestly they are awesome people.
Well, this is what we need…MORE ANA!
This should be both a fun and learning experience for Ana. Nenad has a great personality and is greatly experienced doubles player.
this is great news for us ANA fans!!! 🙂