Eight years after her retirement, former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic made a triumphant return to the tennis court at the Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters. The 36-year-old Serb, who won the 2008 Roland Garros title, thrilled fans with her performance despite losing in the quarterfinals to Kirsten Flipkens.
Ivanovic’s return to competition was a rare sight, as she has largely stayed away from the tour since her retirement. However, she expressed her delight at being back on court, saying, “It was really nice to be on court again after eight years.”
Since retiring, Ivanovic has focused on her family, giving birth to three sons with her husband, retired German soccer star Bastian Schweinsteiger. She has also been active on social media, keeping up with the latest happenings on the tour.
Ivanovic’s return to competition was part of the Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters, an invitation-only exhibition event that features retired players. The tournament has attracted several major winners and former Top 10 players, including Martina Hingis, Flavia Pennetta, and Andrea Petkovic.
In the quarterfinals, Ivanovic faced Flipkens, who defeated her in straight sets. Despite the loss, Ivanovic praised her opponent’s performance, saying, “Kirsten played really well.”
Ivanovic’s return to competition has sparked speculation about whether she might consider a more permanent comeback. However, she has not indicated any such plans, saying that she is enjoying her time away from the tour.
