Serbian · Belgrade, Serbia · Born 28 February 1985Jelena Janković — the Serbian baseliner who reached world No. 1 and won the 2008 US Open.
Jelena Janković was born on 28 February 1985 in Belgrade, Serbia. She turned professional in 2000 and rose to become world No. 1 in 2008, becoming the first Serbian woman to reach that ranking. She won the 2008 US Open and reached four Grand Slam finals in total. Known for her extreme retrieval ability, relentless baseline grinding, and passionate personality, she was one of the most popular players on tour throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s. She won 15 WTA titles. Her career was affected by elbow and other injuries from 2013 onwards.
She became the first Serbian woman to achieve the world No. 1 ranking in singles tennis in 2008.
She was the first Serbian woman to reach No. 1 in the world — paving the way for the generation of Serbian women's players who followed.
Did You Know?How They Played
Janković was known for her exceptional defensive abilities and remarkable court coverage, able to retrieve seemingly impossible shots from all areas of the court. She possessed strong baseline groundstrokes and was particularly effective at turning defense into offense, frustrating opponents with her consistency and ability to extend rallies.
Lasting Impact
Janković helped establish Serbia as a major force in women's tennis and paved the way for future Serbian players to achieve success on the international stage.
Career Honours
- US Open 2008
- Roland Garros Finalist 2007
- Roland Garros Finalist 2008
- Wimbledon Finalist 2013
Serbian Athletes