Ana Ivanovic is reported to being close to signing a shoe and apparel deal worth a cool $10 million a year for 10 years. Both Adidas and Nike are negotiating with her agent, and for Nike who already sponsors the Williams Sisters and Maria Sharapova it would be a Royal Flush of the top ladies players on tour. Maybe Ana will feel more of an equal as she faces these opponents across the net knowing that she is part of the millionaires ‘club’. She is planning to participate in a warm-up tournament in Adelaide early in January prior to the opening of the Australian Open 2009 in Melbourne. She hasn’t played well since her win in the French Open 2008 at Roland Garros and her elevation to the number 1 spot, and after her disappointing performance in New York at the US Open she has been relegated to number 3 behind Serena Williams and her countrywoman Jelena Jenkovic.

It may be of some consolation for her to know that she has been voted as the Sexiest Female Player for the third straight year by the Tennis Writers Assoc. I didn’t get to vote, but she would have been my choice too. Recently Ana was asked what sport she would like to learn besides tennis, and her answer was Surfing. I’m sure she will find someone in Australia to show her the basics, if it’s possible to find a location away from the eyes of the masses of photographers who follow her everywhere.

Ana has family located in Melbourne, and it is why she lists the city as one of her favourite places. She was the runner-up in 2008 to Maria Sharapova, and with Maria’s appearance still in doubt she must feel confident that she will do better in 2009, incidentally she also beat Venus on her way to the final.

She is currently participating in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, claiming that she is healthy and working hard. Her Japanese racket sponsor Yonex has announced the introduction of a new model of racket especially designed for Ana, it is very light to handle and she will use the racket exclusively until it is made available to the public later next year. She attended a formal function in Tokyo together with Roger Federer where she commented that she admired Roger’s ability to handle the pressure of being the Number 1 player, and all that goes with the prestigious position. She admitted that she now has some understanding of the continual pressure he must be under. She hopes to regain the coveted position, and promises to handle the honour better next time. She also added, that winning her second Major tournament was more important than being Number 1 again.

When Ana is off the tennis court she tries to continue her education by having a private tutor instruct her in her two favourite subjects, philosophy and psychology, but like so many other 20 year olds, it’s the mathematics she hates. She better learn to add and subtract in a hurry if she is to become the newest $100 million baby!