The young Serbian newcomer won her first Grand Slam tournament at the age of 20, when she beat Dinara Safina to take the French Open, a success which lifted her to the World No 1 ranking, a position she held for nine consecutive weeks.  She was also the runner-up in the 2007 French Open and the 2008 Australian Open.  Her inspiration to begin playing tennis came from fellow Serb, Laureus World Sports Academy member Monica Seles, however her early training was disprupted by the Kosovo War in 1999.  There were times when she had to practise in an abandoned swimming pool as there were no other facilities. 
Nomination
Year
Result

Email Sign up

Email Sign-up

Sign up for all things Laureus

Get regular updates throughout the year