Ana Ivanovic, a Serbian former professional tennis player, rose to international prominence as a formidable force on the court, capturing the world No. 1 ranking and a Grand Slam title. Known for her powerful forehand and aggressive baseline play, she became a national icon and a global sports star, particularly after her triumph at the 2008 French Open.

Born in Belgrade, then part of SFR Yugoslavia, on November 6, 1987, to parents Miroslav and Dragana, Ivanovic's interest in tennis was sparked at the age of five after watching Monica Seles, a fellow Yugoslav, on television. She began training at a facility housed in a drained swimming pool, demonstrating early dedication to the sport. Her talent was evident quickly, and she turned professional in 2003.

Ivanovic made her WTA Tour debut in 2004 and rapidly ascended the rankings. By 2005, as an 18-year-old, she was defeating established stars like Svetlana Kuznetsova and Amélie Mauresmo. Her major breakthrough came in 2007 when she reached the final of the French Open, finishing as runner-up to Justine Henin. She solidified her status as a top contender by reaching the final of the 2008 Australian Open, falling to Maria Sharapova. Later that year, she achieved the pinnacle of her career at Roland Garros, winning the 2008 French Open without dropping a set in the final and simultaneously ascending to the world No. 1 ranking, which she held for 12 weeks.

Following that career highlight, Ivanovic experienced a significant dip in form, struggling to advance past the fourth round of a major for several years and seeing her ranking fall. However, she demonstrated remarkable resilience, mounting a successful comeback in the 2010s. She won the WTA Tournament of Champions in 2010 and 2011 and enjoyed a resurgent season in 2014, capturing four WTA titles and returning to the world's top five. In 2015, she reached the semifinals of the French Open, her best Grand Slam result in seven years. Throughout her career, she was praised by peers; fellow player Nadia Petrova once called her forehand "the best out there."

Ivanovic announced her retirement from professional tennis in December 2016, having won 15 WTA singles titles and over $15 million in prize money. Her legacy was cemented with inclusions on prestigious lists, such as Time magazine's "30 Legends of Women's Tennis" and journalist Matthew Cronin's "Top 100 Greatest Players Ever." Since retiring, she has focused on family life, marrying German footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger in 2016, and engages in various philanthropic and business ventures. She remains one of Serbia's most celebrated athletes, remembered for her powerful game, warm personality, and triumphant comeback.