Ana Ivanovic has stopped working with coach Dejan Petrovic, her third coaching change in as many years.
Ivanovic said in Madrid that the two had decided to stop working together just before the tournament because they had different views of how she should be playing. The world No. 7 is currently 11-8 on the season.
"That's what I felt made a big difference today, you know, some adjustments in my game," Ivanovic said, advancing through two rounds in Madrid before falling to Carla Suarez Navarro in three sets. "I felt that today on court it was my real game. It's always tough, but, yeah, sometimes you have to make the tough decisions."
The Serb said she will not begin her search for a new coach just yet. "I have a sparring partner with me. Having what happen in the middle of the season, it's not ideal, so I am going to stick with my sparring partner for the moment and try to sort of work on the experience I have and the way I see my game as well," she said. "Then I will try to make a good decision, you know, and not rush."
Before Petrovic, Ivanovic was with another Croatian, Nemanja Kontic, for a year, and with Nigel Sears for two years.
Despite the coaching changes, Ivanovic remains hopeful, saying, "It just always happens like this, because I always feel there is more that I can achieve and that there is more I can do. I need a person who's going to help me do that be behind me and challenge me as well."
"I had different kinds of experiences with coaches, and not many great ones," added Ivanovic, who did not know who her next coach would be but is looking for someone to remain with her long-term. "Obviously would be someone who can sort of work with me until the end of my career. You know, there are so many things that have to come together. You have to be really compatible on the court. Someone who can push me, you know."