Jelena Janković is a
Serbian professional female tennis player. She
entered the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) top 15
in September 2006 when she reached the semifinals of
the U.S. Open. In early 2007, she broke into the top
10 and subsequently entered the top 3 when she
reached the semifinals of the 2007 French Open. She
won the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon in 2007
with partner Jamie Murray.
Janković learned her first tennis skills in Tennis
Club 'Red Star'. As a nine-and-a-half year old she
was introduced to tennis by her elder brother and
fitness coach Marko. She was later trained at the
Tennis Academy of Nick Bollettieri. As a junior she
won the 2001 Australian Open. In 2001, she started
to play on the WTA Tour; she reached the second
round at her first tournament at the Indian Wells
Masters.
In October 2003, Janković entered the top 100 at No.
90 for the first time after winning her first ITF
title in Dubai. Three months later, Janković
garnered her first top 10 win against Elena
Dementieva 6-1, 6-4 in the first round of the 2004
Australian Open. She then lost to Jill Craybas in
three sets in the second round. In May, Janković won
her first WTA title, a Tier V event, in Budapest,
defeating Martina Suchá in the final 7-6, 6-3.
Following her win in Budapest, she reached No. 51 in
the world. Elsewhere in her 2004 season, she
defeated top 20 players Nadia Petrova (twice), Vera
Zvonareva, Patty Schnyder and Paola Suárez. Janković
finished 2004 ranked No. 28 in the world.
