Ana Ivanovic Talks About Teenage Ball Boy Who Proposed to Her

Posted Jan 13, 2009 1:00PM By Shane Bacon (RSS feed)

Filed Under: WTA

If you don't already know Ana Ivanovic, you probably will soon. Ranked fifth in the world, Ivanovic is sneakily good looking, with a sex appeal that's making waves in Europe. Ivanovic won the French Open in 2008, and is now bringing her appeal to Manhattan.

Ana Ivanovic Snapshots

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 13: Ana Ivanovic of Serbia plays a backhand during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open 2009 at Melbourne Park on January 13, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ana Ivanovic

Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 13: Ana Ivanovic of Serbia plays a forehand during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open 2009 at Melbourne Park on January 13, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ana Ivanovic

Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 13: Ana Ivanovic of Serbia plays a backhand volley during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open 2009 at Melbourne Park on January 13, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ana Ivanovic

Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 13: Ana Ivanovic of Serbia plays a forehand volley during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open 2009 at Melbourne Park on January 13, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ana Ivanovic

Getty Images

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic hits a forehand during a practice session at Melbourne Park January 12, 2009. REUTERS/Mick Tsikas (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic hits a backhand at a practice session at Melbourne Park January 12, 2009. REUTERS/Mick Tsikas (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic hits a forehand during a practice session at Melbourne Park January 12, 2009. REUTERS/Mick Tsikas (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

** FILE ** In this Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008 file photo Russia's Maria Sharapova reacts after beating Serbia's Ana Ivanovic during the final of the Women's singles at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia. Defending champion Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to her slower than expected recovery following a shoulder injury. Sharapova advised tournament officials on Sunday that she would not be able to defend her title at Melbourne Park beginning Jan. 19. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill, File)

On March 2, Ana will join Venus Williams, Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic as part of the BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup that will take place at Madison Square Garden on HBO.

While that is exciting in and of itself, Ana has been enjoying some rather peculiar activity as of late with her on-court tennis life. Just over a week ago, Ivanovic was practicing for the Brisbane International when a teenage ball boy with a lot of chutzpah decided he'd do what most of us wish we could -- ask Ivanovic to marry him.

"I didn't take it too serious," Ivanovic said between obvious chuckles during a conference call Monday. "He was a young boy and he was so cute and his friends were saying, 'Come on, tell her, tell her' and I was like, 'Tell me what,' and he said, Will you marry me?'

"I told him 'Okay, maybe when you get older.' "

That basically describes the attitude of the fun-loving Ivanovic, who, during a conference call on Monday, seemed excited for the season to begin and gracious for the opportunity to showcase her talent at MSG. As for her flaws, the only mistake she openly admitted to during her last season was being too committed to tennis, saying she "should have taken some time off" after injury.

As the tennis scene continues to introduce young, attractive women to the sports world, the competition for attention will only grow more heated. I guess Ivanovic won't be hurt by the fact that she's talented enough to win a Grand Slam at the age of 20.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

1-14-2009 @ 6:12AM

alabama15th said...

uno

1-14-2009 @ 8:17AM

Helga Mackey said...

As an avid amateaur tennis player I have been following all the great talented players over the last 35 years & truly must compliment Ana & Jelena not just for their tremendious talent, but also for their poised, classic sportsmanship. Representing such a small country like Serbia I know too well the displine it takes to adchieve the top ranking. They are a fine example how to winn gracefully. I truly admire them and look forward to many more years of their success.
The William sister's should learn from them. Their displayed arrogance is not well represented for this classic sport.

1-14-2009 @ 12:08PM

Ralph said...

Displayed arrogance, please Helga. Remember what the USTA and WTA was like when these young ladies began there pro. careers. Not exactly all inclusive.Remember Lindsey Davenports comments and the crowds treatment of them at the Indian Wells Tournament a few years ago. Extreme talent sometimes looks and acts with an air that may be percieved as arrogance or more like a protective shield. Obviously they put there talents where there mouths were.

1-14-2009 @ 12:28PM

I must disagree wholeheartedly with your characterization of the Williams' sisters. As an avid amateur tennis player myself, I've noticed that many foreign players(especially from Europe) have received more friendly receptions from the US mainstream media and the tennis public(predominately White-Americans) than most African-American tennis players have received during their first/early months as "superstars". It is amazing how much more popular the Williams' sisters are outside the United States..even as "sex objects" like Kournikova/Sharapova/etc.(including Puerto Rico) than they are in this country-with the exeption of areas where most of the people are not of Eurpean descent(Asians, African-Americans, Latinos, & Native Americans)!

I see the Williams' sisters as the most important story in the history of sports in the United States and at least as important to tennis as Muhammad Ali(formerly Cassius Clay) was to the sport of boxing. No one will ever duplicate what that family has done(sisters playing each other in 4 straight Grand Slam finals and becoming #1 in the world....after the father predicts it years earlier-brilliant!)

If tennis will ever be as relevant in the US as football, basketball, and even baseball are; then more top tennis players from the US must be either non-White(race) and/or who come from families at or below the poverty line(median income at or below $30K per year).

1-14-2009 @ 9:02PM

Rance said...

Please Arrogance is the reason the Williams sisters are raising Grand Slam Trophies and you are a frustrated recreation player. As a matter of fact they r probably the reason why you switched to an oversized racquet and lighter frame because you are looking for alittle more "Pop" in your game. Why is it that when its a black player, its arrogance but when its a spoiled brats like John McEnroe,Jimmy Connors or even Andy Roddick it's looked upon as desire,will and fire. John Mcenroe recently got DQ'd in a Seniors event for goodness sake.First off tennis is the most selfish sport there is. It is one on one or two on two no help, no coaching no teammates(with the exemption of Davis Cup). You have to win or learn how to win on your own terms. So yes they are arrogant thats why they r the best in the business. Lindsey Davenport has had a decent career,and Jennifer Capriati had her run at the end,but combined they don't even have enough Grand Slam titles to surpass Venus's Career total. They have put up with alot of crap on the tour and in Tennis in general. They r the 2 best women in the game right now and when they want they are the best womens' double s team also. The problam is they are the wrong shade to be appreciated. Let me guess Martina Hingis is what class is/was all about on the tour right??? How about Jennifer Capriati she turned out great didn't she.Or what about Justine Henin the great champion she was a cheat and a quitter. Write me back when Ivanavic and Jankovic get to 15-16 slams then we can talk.

1-14-2009 @ 8:34AM

Clint Chapman said...

The greater prizes for tennis players!
The most injuries in tennis. No tennis players including the champions can play tennis a long time. How about their lives after their retirement? What a tennis star has got is fame only.
Even tennis players are often injured on playing time. I see their prizes are not great enough as they deserve. Compare with the income of soccer, basketball and golf stars.
Don't let the tennis stars broken-hearted when they are retired.

1-14-2009 @ 9:26AM

leo said...

I dont blame the teen a bit.

1-14-2009 @ 9:44AM

Bob Miller said...

Could this be a commercial for HBO? Insidious advertising!

1-14-2009 @ 9:55AM

kim said...

If I wanted pictures of Mauresmo ( who is not sexy) I would go to a lesbo mag. Give us a break.

1-14-2009 @ 10:08AM

Schmolik said...

She's got nothing on Maria Sharapova.

1-14-2009 @ 10:24AM

Cheryl said...

There you go again AOL ... misleading us .. "Tennis Beauty Surprised at Tournament Who Popped the Question?", as if this were a serious proposal with someone she was involved with.

1-14-2009 @ 11:00AM

lasvegdick said...

Women's tennis is recently blessed with a bunch of good looking women. More than used to be the case, when there were just a few. While there is no doubt that the Serbian girls, Russians such as Maria Kirelenko, and others from several countries brighten the scene, nevertheless, frankly until Sharapova finishes healing and gets back into tennis shape, the tour will suffer in terms of its charismatic appeal to many.

1-14-2009 @ 11:07AM

Jim said...

This young lady is not only talented and attractive but showed a great deal of class and compassion in dealing with the young teen who made his proposal. He obviously has an eye for beauty. Good luck young man.

1-14-2009 @ 11:31AM

billy said...

ana is a lovely little serbian kitten.i love my beloved russian maria sharapova as well.both are stunning.

1-14-2009 @ 11:36AM

maria is my faves.i love her.get well soon sweetheart.smiles...

1-15-2009 @ 5:38AM

monica said...

Ana Ivanovic is the most attractive tennis player. Her beauty not only tells it all but her attitude when she is playing. Keep it up Ana! Many thanks to your MOM for having such a wonderful daughter like you! Aloha!

1-14-2009 @ 1:40PM

Erin said...

I can't stand Sharapova for 4 reasons:

1) Maria sharapova has lived in the U.S. for most of her life but she does not represent the U.S.
2) Maria often took bathroom breaks when she was losing. She asked to be excused and took a 15 minute "potty" break to get her mind together
3) She cries when she loses to Serena Williams (lol)
4) Her father has blatantly given her signals from the stands. The announcers have frequently caught him and shown him on video. This is considered cheating.

1-14-2009 @ 1:52PM

Robert said...

I knew it!

1-14-2009 @ 2:07PM

elche said...

Ralph "... the exeption of areas where most of the people are not of Eurpean descent(Asians, African-Americans, Latinos, & Native Americans)!"

Gotta tell you that Latinos are of European descent. Unless you are thinking of Mex or Ecuadorian or Guatemalans who are actually native American Indians who also speak Spanish and do our lawns.
Argentina and most of Chile do have more European folks than any other nation outside of Europe!!

1-14-2009 @ 11:41PM

ovrdwg said...

Ana is just simply adorable. And she will win many more Grand Slams if she can maintain her focus on tennis, and not on the EXCESSIVE commercialism via endorsements to which so many others have succumbed. I know sports fame is fleeting and one must cash in while still in the limelight. Balance is the key. Time spent promoting products takes away from tennis; time away from tennis means less success; less success means fewer endorsements; et cetera. This is a catch-22 that even great talent cannot overcome. I hope Ana is as smart as she is good-looking; I want to see her around, and winning, for a long, long time.

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