Tennis is weird right now. It’s all about power, data, and clinical efficiency. But if you look back just a decade or so, there was this whirlwind from Serbia who did things differently. Jelena Jankovic didn’t just play tennis; she performed it.
She was the world No. 1.
People love to point out that she never won a Grand Slam singles title. They call her a "slamless" number one like it’s some kind of stain on her career. Honestly? That’s kind of missing the point. To reach the top of the mountain while competing against prime Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Maria Sharapova—all without a "weapon" in the traditional sense—is actually more impressive, not less.
The Queen of the Backhand Down the Line
If you ever saw Jelena Jankovic play, you remember the movement. She didn’t just run; she glided. She’d be in a full split one second, sliding across the red clay of Rome, and then she'd flick a backhand down the line for a winner the next. It was effortless.
That backhand was her signature. Most players go cross-court because it’s safer. Not Jelena. She would take the ball early and redirect it with this laser-like precision that left opponents stranded.
She wasn't a "power" player. She was a defensive genius.
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Her game was built on making you hit one more ball. And then another. And another. Eventually, you’d crack. She won 15 WTA singles titles this way. She also won the 2007 Wimbledon mixed doubles title with Jamie Murray, which was honestly one of the most fun pairings in tennis history. The chemistry was hilarious. They were constantly giggling on court.
What Really Happened in 2008?
2008 was the year of "JJ."
She reached the No. 1 ranking on August 11, 2008. She held it for 18 weeks total. It’s a bit of a trivia fact now, but she was the first woman to ever finish the year at No. 1 without owning a Grand Slam trophy. She came agonizingly close, though.
At the 2008 US Open, she made the final. She played Serena Williams. It was a high-stakes, high-drama match. Jankovic had set points in the second set to take it to a decider. She didn't convert them. Serena won 6-4, 7-5.
"I was so close," she'd later say.
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But consistency is what put her at the top. She wasn't just winning small tournaments; she was deep in every draw. Semifinals at the French Open (three times!), semifinals in Australia. She was always there, lurking, waiting for a mistake.
The Personality: Glitter, Grunts, and Mirrors
Let's talk about the "Drama Queen" label.
Tennis fans loved her because she was human. She would check her makeup in the changeover mirror. She’d complain to her mother, Snežana, in the stands. Sometimes she'd joke with the ball kids or the chair umpire. Once, at Wimbledon, she literally changed her underwear on the court (under a towel, of course) because they were uncomfortable.
She was a breath of fresh air in a sport that can sometimes feel a bit stiff.
You’ve probably noticed she basically disappeared after 2017. Her last match was a first-round loss to Petra Kvitova at the US Open. After that, it was just silence. No big retirement tour. No "farewell" ceremony. Just a quiet exit due to chronic back and eye issues.
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Where is Jelena Jankovic Now?
She’s living a totally different life.
In April 2021, she gave birth to her daughter, Una. She lives in Dubai and Belgrade now. In a rare 2024 interview with Dnevnik, she admitted she prefers the peace. She’s a full-time mom. No nannies. She cooks the baby's food. She's been out of the spotlight for so long that many younger fans don't even know who she is.
But her legacy is everywhere.
When you see players like Coco Gauff or Iga Swiatek using incredible movement and defense to win matches, you’re seeing a version of the game Jelena Jankovic helped pioneer. She proved you don't need a 120mph serve to be the best in the world.
Why You Should Care About Her Career
- The Stats: 644 career wins. That’s a massive number.
- The Longevity: She spent years in the Top 10 during the most competitive era of women's tennis.
- The Entertainment: She made tennis fun to watch.
If you're looking to improve your own game, there's a lot to learn from her. Study her footwork. Look at how she uses her legs to generate power on the backhand. Most importantly, look at her resilience. She had a period in 2006 where she lost 10 matches in a row. She almost quit. Two years later, she was No. 1.
Next Steps for Tennis Fans:
If you want to understand the "JJ" hype, go to YouTube and search for her 2008 US Open highlights or her matches in Rome. Pay attention to how she absorbs pace. If you're a defensive player, her matches are basically a masterclass in court geometry.
Don't just look at the Grand Slam column. Look at the way she moved. Look at the way she competed. That's the real story.