Ana Ivanovic Conference Call for the BNP Paribas Showdown
Moderator: Lawrence Torres January 12, 2009
5:00 pm CT
Operator:Good evening. My name is (Jean) and I will be your conference operator today. At this time I would like to welcome everyone to the BNP Paribas Showdown conference call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers’ remarks there will be a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question during this time, simply press star, then the number 1 on your telephone keypad. If you would like to withdraw your question, press the pound key. Thank you. Mr. Torres, you may begin your conference.
Lawrence Torres:Thank you, (Jean). I just want to thank everybody for joining us for today’s conference call. I especially thank Ana who’s overseas right now. It’s just starting her Tuesday morning. In addition to Ana we have Jerry Solomon, the President of Stargames as well as Edwina Frawley from BNP Paribas. If it wasn’t for them, this event wouldn’t happen. In just one quick moment I’m going to turn this over to Jerry and Edwina for a couple of brief comments, and then we’ll hear from Ana and get her thoughts on coming to New York City and Madison Square Garden and playing in the BNP Paribas Showdown. Ana will be available for a Q&A session afterwards. So without further ado let’s introduce Jerry Solomon. Jerry.
Jerry Solomon:Thanks Larry, and thanks everybody for being part of this. We made a decision to come back to Madison Square Garden with tennis after our Sampras/ Federer match last March. And we’re very pleased to have a tremendous group involved with this from BNP Paribas who’s the number one sponsor in all of tennis to players like Ana Ivanovic, the French Open champion and to be able to honor Billie Jean King, who arguably is the most important female athlete, maybe ever. So we’re excited to be going ahead. The event is March 2 at 7:30 pm and it will be aired on HBO, which is the first time HBO’s done television of tennis since they stopped televising Wimbledon. So we have had a tremendous group behind us and with that, I’d like to introduce Edwina Frawley from BNP Paribas.
Edwina Frawley:Hello everyone. My name is Edwina. As Jerry mentioned I’m a - I’m a spokesperson for BNP Paribas in North America. I’m just going to take a short minute to talk a little bit about who we are and our relationship with tennis. We’re a global bank. We’re present in 85 countries around the world and employ over 171,000 people. And our wonderful relationship with tennis spans over 35 years now, and some of the major tennis tournaments that we’re sponsors of include, the French Open, the Davis Cup, the Fed Cup, and the Bank of the West Classic here in the United States. And we’re really excited and delighted to be title sponsor for the BNP Paribas Showdown and - it’s our first title sponsorship of tennis in New York City. And New York is where we’ve been headquartered for almost three decades now. And so this has been - is really, really quite exciting for us here in New York City. So I’m - I won’t take up any - anymore of your time but please do - please let Jerry know if you need to contact us if you have any other questions at all about BNP Paribas. Thank you.
Jerry Solomon:Edwina, thank you. And now I’d like to introduce Ana Ivanovic the French Open champion, currently the No. 5 player in the world and really one of the great stars in all of women’s tennis and all of women’s sports. And Ana has a special place with this event, as she was one of the first ones to qualify after we decided what we were going to do, and so we are really very delighted to have her both today and at the event. So I guess, Larry, turn it back over to you to ask for the questions.
Lawrence Torres:Yeah. If Ana wants to have - make a statement or we can just take questions. Ana, would you like to make a statement?
Anna Ivanovic:Yeah, hello everyone. Nice to meet you all. I’m very, very happy to be taking place in this exhibition. I think it’s very, very exciting one and I think New York is a very special place. It’s nice and I’m very much looking forward to play a match there. I heard a lot about Madison Square Garden as well, and I never had the privilege to play there or be there. So I’m very, very much looking forward to that and, yeah, I think it’s going to be great event and BNP Paribas is a great support of tennis and it’s going to be a very exciting event.
Lawrence Torres:Okay. Thank you, Ana. Jean, I think we’re ready for the Q&A session.
Operator:All right. And at this time I would like to remind everyone if you would like to ask a question, please press star, then the number 1 on your telephone keypad. That’s star, 1 to ask a question. And we’ll pause for just a moment to compile the Q&A roster. And your first question comes from the line of David Sickmen.
David Sickmen:Ana, hi. You’ve played tournaments all around the world. How does the energy of the crowd playing in New York at the U.S. Open compare to other cities and tournaments you’ve played in?
Anna Ivanovic:Hi David. Well, I think it’s very different and very, very special because I think in New York especially there is always the most crowds and they always support us great and bring so much motivation and so much adrenaline build up playing on (Central) court in New York. And it’s very different from the other Grand Slams because it’s actually the biggest one of them - of all of them. So it’s definitely great opportunity and like I said, this will be the first time competing for me in New York besides U.S. Open and then I’m very excited about it.
David Sickmen:Great, great. Thank you.
Operator:Your next question comes from the line of (Erin Burrell).
(Erin Burrell):Hi Ana. Just out of curiosity, have you ever been inside Madison Square Garden or, you know, was that something that, you know - sort of like a sports icon - have you ever been there? Or will this be your first time?
Anna Ivanovic:No, no, I haven’t been there before; but I heard a lot of things about it. And, you know, obviously I was not there at Sampras match the other year it was held there and I heard this amazing atmosphere. So I’m really, really looking forward to experience it myself.
Operator:Once again, if you would like to ask a question, pleas press star, then the number 1 on your telephone keypad. And your next question comes from the line of Bob Larson.
Bob Larson:Ana, what is your health situation now?
Ana Ivanovic:I’m feeling well, thank you. I’ve been - I had some time to rest and - through the weekend and now I’m back practicing and, you know, enjoying Malibu and happy to be back here and I have great memories from last year. And so, you know, I’m taking - taking my time and trying to stay healthy and take care good is all I can ask for.
Bob Larson:So you are expecting to play next week?
Ana Ivanovic:Yeah, definitely. I feel healthy and I have great oxygen and I feel the greatest I’ve ever been actually. So that’s very - that gives me confidence going into next week’s tournament.
Bob Larson:Thank you.
Ana Ivanovic:Thanks.
Operator:Your next question comes from the line of Richard Pagliaro.
Richard Pagliaro:Hi Ana, great to speak to you. And we wanted ask you, last year you had such a great start to the year in Australia and Indian Wells. When you come back to a place like Australia where you’ve had success, how does that impact you and the way you play?
Ana Ivanovic:(Unintelligible) yeah, definitely. I have great memories coming back to you and having to opportunity to (unintelligible) and all the memories that (unintelligible) from last year. It’s good feeling and it’s obviously not motivating but I try to go towards it every year as a new event and as a tournament that I want to win rather than just something that I did last year. So that’s how I want to focus for this week as well.
Richard Pagliaro:You’ve played the Williams sisters in tournaments before. Do you consider them top threats with Maria out for the Australian Open?
Ana Ivanovic:Yeah, definitely. They are very, very tough opponents and - and they have competitive in (themselves) in that they really hit hard and are very dangerous opponents. So, you know, basically any tournament that’s played is going to be tough one, but against them it’s always very different and they are definitely be competitive.
Richard Pagliaro:Good luck, Ana. Thank you.
Ana Ivanovic:Thank you.
Operator:And your next question comes from the line of (Anne Laprince).
(Anne Laprince):Hi Ana. I just wanted to ask you how you’re dealing with all the distractions of having - after having such a great 2008, becoming No. 1 and winning a Grand Slam. How are you dealing with all that?
Ana Ivanovic:Yeah, you know, I’m trying. Obviously it took some time to get used to everything. It was a new sensation for me and it was very exciting one, you know. It was the best time of my career so far. So I got some great experiences and then obviously some tough ones over at the end of the year, but still, you know, I think I learned a lot from last year about myself and about my game and that’s something I can definitely take as a positive going into this year. And, you know, some mistakes are - I made that I don’t make them again and some positive things too to keep from - on the same track. So I definitely want to work with them and I, you know, set myself a new goal. And it’s a new year and, you know, I want to win the tournament.
(Anne Laprince):Would you say you made mistakes, what kind of mistakes are you talking about?
Ana Ivanovic:Well, after I got here I got injured. I really, you know, I should have taken some time off. But I was 24-hours a day thinking about tennis and, you know, what did I do wrong and why, you know, this injury is not going away and just I was kind of upset at tennis; and I should have just relaxed a little bit and take some time away from it rather than be 100%. And once I started competing again actually I was drained because even the time I put in practice, I was still - my mind was still on tennis and, you know, that’s something I don’t want to happen because it took a lot of energy out of me.
(Anne Laprince):Thank you.
Operator:Your next question comes from the line of Shane Bacon.
Shane Bacon:Hey Ana. You’re still talking about distractions. Talk a little bit about the ball boy proposing to you. How did that go down?
Ana Ivanovic:Come on. I don’t take it too serious. He was such a young boy. He was so cute and his friends were telling him, “Come on. Tell her. Tell her.” And it was like, “Tell me what?” And he was like, “Will you marry me?” I’m like, “Okay. Maybe when you get older.” But no definitely didn’t take it too seriously.
Shane Bacon:Ana have you ever had anything that strange (unintelligible) before?
Ana Ivanovic:I’m sorry. Can you repeat the question?
Shane Bacon:Have you ever had anything, like, happen to you on the tennis court before?
Ana Ivanovic:Oh, during my matches, you know, a couple of times people yell out something. Especially in Serbia, you know, “I love you.” Or certain things like this; but, you know, I sort of just laugh and just go on.
Operator:Your next question comes from the line of Larry Fine.
Larry Fine:Yes, hi, Ana. You said something about setting new goals for this year. Could you share any with us?
Ana Ivanovic:Yes, that as you know, after last season I sat down with my coaches and, you know, I made some goals for myself; and some things I have to work on and improve. And this year, you know, I would really like to focus on winning another Grand Slam because I know I have ability to do it; and, you know, I already did it so I know what to expect and that’s my big goal for the season. And also to work on being a little bit more consistent because last year was great (learning) for me as well; and I had some great success but, you know, also some down times. So I really want to try to be more consistent and have more, you know, stable - stability this year.
Larry Fine:Ana, also, you know, last year the season ended with a non-Grand Slam winner holding down the No. 1 ranking. How do you feel about that? And do you feel that, you know, with the ranking should come success in the Grand Slam.
Ana Ivanovic:You know, I think if you do well at anything (they take care of themselves); and obviously I know (unintelligible) is a great player and she (sees a lot) and see everyone who gets the position No. 1 I think you deserve it. And, you know, it was very, very close race for No. 1 position (in many plays). So I think she was tough. She was the most consistent of all of us and obviously she deserves that position.
Operator:Your next question comes from the line of David Sickmen.
David Sickmen:Hi Ana. You talked about a grueling practice schedule that you maintain. How many hours a week or a day do you practice?
Ana Ivanovic:Well obviously it’s very different in a - in off-season and during competition. In off-season it comes down to about six - five to six hours a day. Talking about tennis and physical together and obviously it takes up a lot of - yeah - days, you know. But during competition it’s much more relaxed, and it’s about one to two hours a day. We’ve been, you know, trying to rest and recover the most I can, you know, doing a lot of recovery things such as ice bags or massages and just, you know, saving energy for matches.
David Sickmen:Okay. And when you finally do get a break, what do you like to do with your free time?
Ana Ivanovic:I like to go shopping like every girl does. And if I have some free time when I’m back it should be a lot of fun to see my brother. I miss him a lot when I travel and, you know, I try to spend as much quality time with him as possible.
David Sickmen:Thank you.
Operator:And at this time there are no further questions. Excuse me. You do have follow-up question from the line of Larry Fine.
Larry Fine:Yes, Ana. I wanted to ask you this about the changes in the WTA tour this year. First of all, I know they’ve revamped the calendar to make certain tournaments compulsory and eligible players that don’t turn up get zero points towards ranking. And I wondered how you feel about that.
Ana Ivanovic:I think that is a lot of, you know, new rules this year and obviously some of them are good and some of them are - will be a little bit harder on us. And there’s many more tournaments that are mandatory so we don’t have much of a margin or like much of a (safe zone) to work and choose a tournament where we actually want to play. But, you know, they are trying to do that for our benefit. And I think, you know, we just have to wait and see how (this detail) will go and, you know, and the feedback that the players are going to give and the players are going to feel since they are trying to (unintelligible) so there will be less injuries and more time off. So we just have to wait and see how players react to that.
Larry Fine:Also one other thing. I wanted to comment about the revenue sharing program that the WTA has begun. And considering this financial climate, if tournaments make less money, apparently prize money would also decrease and I wondered if you had any views on that.
Ana Ivanovic:Yeah, you know, I think it’s important to support and to help and, you know, despite everything that’s been happening in the world, I feel want to include - to help and - yeah, to help as much as I can and I really will work to (unintelligible) back in Serbia and trying to donate and help in that way too.
Larry Fine:Thanks very much.
Operator:You have a question - a follow-up question from the line of (Anne Laprince). (Anne Laprince):Yeah, hi, Ana. Again the format of this exhibition is fairly unique, and I was wondering if you had any preference on who you’re going to play in the first round or the semi-finals.
Ana Ivanovic:No. It’s going to be, you know, very intense and that; but I think a lot of fun and lots of competition and it really doesn’t matter who I play against. I think we all going to enjoy it and have fun. And I think it’s going to be a neat experience for all of us. At least speaking on my behalf. But, yeah, I just want to go there and play tennis and enjoy.
(Anne Laprince):Thank you.
Operator:You do have a follow-up question from the line of (Erin Burrell).
(Erin Burrell):Hi Ana. I just wanted to ask you too, you mentioned, you know, for 2009 being more consistent. Did the way the second half of 2008 went with your thumb injury and not being able to play the way you wanted to, did it make you look forward that much more to the start of this season and doing well at the year’s first Grand Slam?
Ana Ivanovic:Yeah. A lot (unintelligible) of 2008 was quite frustrating for me and I’m doing what I need to do to work hard and, you know, and seeing many things. But unfortunately this injury came; but like I said, it was great learning experience and, you know, I also have to understand that in a career it’s not always highs, you know. You have to sometimes rise from some low and some setbacks. So that definitely been motivation; and, you know, intend to do it to work harder and to achieve bigger things this year and, you know, that’s what I set, myself a goal and I try to have a short memory and forget what happened and start over again.
(Erin Burrell):Great. Thank you, Ana.
Operator:The next question is a follow-up question from the line of David Sickmen.
David Sickmen:Yes, Ana, you will be going into this new year without a coach. Can you talk about that decision and the positives you think may come from that?
Ana Ivanovic:Yeah. I will have full-time coach but (unintelligible) thank God, he still has me on the court. He’s here in Malibu already, and he’ll be here rest of the - Australian Open so he gives me some tips. But, you know, I - that decision, you know, obviously worked well for me for a moment, but, you know, I’m looking in some time ahead I want to try to look for a practice full-time coach. Because I already do know a lot about tennis and about other players; but sure I think I’m very young and maybe a full-time coach can still be very, very helpful. So, you know, at this moment I think I can handle it the way it is, but in the near future I would like to have a full-time coach.
David Sickmen:Okay. And while you’re in town for the tournament do you expect to have any time to, you know, experience New York City at all? And, if so, any place in mind that would be somewhere you plan on going to?
Ana Ivanovic:Actually I would love to because I’ve also never been in New York in this time of the year and I think it’s a great place and great city to be so - but, you know, I don’t know much about, you know, good places to go. Maybe you can suggest some.
David Sickmen:I’ll be happy to take you.
Ana Ivanovic:Okay.
David Sickmen:Thank you, Ana.
Operator:Your next question comes from the line of Bob Larson.
Bob Larson:I’m just wondering if we’re going to get a printed version of the questions and answers. I really don’t know anything she said in response to any of the questions, and she talks so quickly or so fast I find it very difficult to know what she’s saying so.
Lawrence Torres:Bob, there’s going to be a transcription I’m going to send out to you guys.
Bob Larson:Wonderful. Thank you.
Lawrence Torres:Do you have another question?
Operator:No, sir. At this time there are no further questions.
Lawrence Torres:I think we got really good questions today. Thank you very much. I think Jerry’s phone dropped off on us. But on behalf of Jerry and Edwina, Ana I just want to thank you once again for taking time out of your schedule. I know it’s busy over there for you. But again, thank you very much on taking the time. And for all the media I will be sending out the credential application form for you guys to cover - to actually come and cover the event on March 2 here in New York. Once again, thank you very much guys. And if you need to reach me, you guys should have my contact information. Ana, once again, thank you very much; and good luck.
Ana Ivanovic:Thank you. Thank you all. Bye. Bye-bye.
Operator:And this concludes today’s conference call. You may disconnect at this time.
