Jankovic becomes world No 1

2008-08-11 09:27

Beijing - Jelena Jankovic of Serbia on Monday became the world number one in women's tennis despite having never won a Grand Slam and claiming only one title this season.

Jankovic, who comes into the Olympics tennis tournament nursing a calf injury, is the third player to ascend to the top of the women's professional tennis rankings after Justine Henin's shock retirement in May.

She takes over top spot from fellow Serb Ana Ivanovic, who was forced to pull out of the Olympics on Sunday with a thumb injury.

"Since I was a young girl, it has been my dream to become No.1 in the world," Jankovic said. "When you get older, at least one day you can say you were No.1 and no one can take that away from you."

The Serbian, who has won six tournaments in her career, reached the top of the rankings after a 12-month display of consistently successful results.

Over the course of the past year, Jankovic has won the Tier I title in Rome, reached finals at Toronto (2007), Beijing (2007) and Miami (2008) and six semifinals, including two of the three Grand Slams so far this year (Australian Open, Roland Garros).

The 23-year-old, who becomes the 18th top-ranked player in women's tennis history, on Saturday admitted she was in doubt for the Beijing Olympics after picking up a calf strain.

Jankovic is slated to play Zimbabwean doubles specialist Cara Black later on Monday.

- AFP