I can’t wait for the 2009 season to start and I’m especially eager to see how Jelena Jankovic will perform, because she took her number one ranking very seriously and is determined to stay on top as well as to win her maiden Grand Slam title. The following Jankovic’s statements make me anticipate the new season even more.

"My priorities will be on the big tournaments, Grand Slams and Tier 1s. When you prepare 100 percent, when you put all the hard work in, then you can really have higher expectations and you can expect yourself to achieve great things."

"I’m really training hard," added the 23-year-old Serb, who started training in November and is currently practicing in Florida. "Before I came here I was in Mexico in high altitude … trying to get stronger and fitter."

Moreover, Jankovic can’t wait to face tough competition: "I want the girls to play their best tennis against me and I want to win in those circumstances. I’m up for the challenge. I want to compete in those best tournaments with the best players out there."

"I love being in that role, being in the role of the No. 1 player in the world. I like that position and I want to stay there as long as it is possible," Jankovic said. "I haven’t trained in my whole career as hard as I’m training now, and I hope and I believe that all this hard work will pay off."

In addition to all the hard work, Jankovic has finally decided to ease her schedule. She will play less in 2009 in order to stay healthy.

I can’t wait to see the outcome of her preparations. All the best, JJ! (interview: Tennis.com, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

We’re featuring one more retrospection of WTA players’ yearly outfits, especially compiled for our readers Nacho, Kristine and Michael who wanted to see all the outfits Reebok-clad Jelena Jankovic sported during 2008.

It’s interesting to have a look at what world No.1 Jankovic wore during 2008, as she’s known for loving fashion. Remember? Jelena hit the runway modeling a collection of one Serbian clothing line. She was even included in the designing of some items for the collection.

As you can see the very beginning of 2008 wasn't really fashionable in Jelena's case, but things got better as the year proceeded. Read more »

World number one Jelena Jankovic has been named the female athlete of the year in her home country of Serbia. It’s her second successive such award.

The ceremony was organized by the Serbian Olympic Committee (SOC), and took place in Belgrade on Saturday.

Jankovic couldn’t come to Belgrade to receive the award in person, training in the United States for the upcoming season.

And talking of Jelena’s training, here’s an interesting video insight into her recent preparations in Mexico. Watch Jelena getting sick of running, and don't miss the short interview towards the end of the video.

[The video is no longer available]

Thank you AJ for letting me know about the video!

World number one Jelena Jankovic was honored Wednesday as the International Tennis Federation's world champion of 2008.

The ITF selects its world champions based on a system that includes results from the WTA tour, along with Grand Slams, Olympics and the Fed Cup.

"I worked really hard this year and to finish No.1 is where I want to be and where I want to stay," said the 23-year-old Serb.

In 2008 Jankovic won more matches than any other WTA player, and claimed four singles titles (Rome, Beijing, Stuttgart and Moscow).

In women’s doubles, Cara Black of Zimbabwe and Liezel Huber of the United States were named ITF World Champions.

The winners will receive their awards at the ITF World Champions Dinner on June 2 in Paris. (source: CBS Sports, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

World No.1 Jelena Jankovic is not only intensively preparing for the 2009 tennis season, but she seems to have a New Year’s resolution of finally cutting down on tournaments.

Prior to the Australian Open, the 23-year-old will warm up just at the JB Group Classic exhibition in Hong Kong.

When I remember how Jankovic’s 2008 season started, at the very begging she was struggling with injury at the Hopman Cup, I find it miraculous she managed to obtain the season-ending No.1 ranking and have a successful season. However, now we seem to have a new, more careful and reasonable JJ.