Jelena Jankovic and Jamie Murray have proved to be a successful partnership, reaching Wimbledon mixed doubles final defeating Daniel Nestor and Elena Likhovtseva 6-4 4-6 6-4.
Murray wanted Jankovic to be his partner, and she has accepted it although she doesn’t consider herself a good doubles player. (Read more about the beginning of their partnership at Jelena Jankovic — top spot on Jamie Murray’s list)
Maybe Jelena doesn’t play doubles so well, but it seems to me that they enjoy each other’s company and that that’s where the good results come from. I’ve read an amusing interview of Jelena and Jamie (after their victory over Julian Knowle and Tiantian Sun on July 6) and they seem to have a lot of fun together; they are relaxed and positive.
Here are some parts of the interview which I find most interesting:
Q. Do you think it’s a shame you don’t get a chance to play more mixed?
JAMIE MURRAY: I don’t know if she could handle any more.
JELENA JANKOVIC: I don’t know if I could handle him (laughter).
Q. Looked like he was really making you laugh during the tiebreak.
JELENA JANKOVIC: He always does. I make a mistake. He goes, Give me a smile. He’s always trying to make me it’s very important to stay positive, so it’s a good thing.
It’s good to keep your partner you don’t need to get down on yourself. It’s kind of motivate each other. It’s good for both of us.
Q. It’s the first time you’ve played mixed doubles. Do you think you’ll play again after this tournament?
JAMIE MURRAY: Yes (laughter).
JELENA JANKOVIC: Now another proposal. He keeps coming with it each time.
No, I will see. I would love to play mixed doubles at the US Open.
JAMIE MURRAY: With me?
JELENA JANKOVIC: We’ll see. I will try. Just for me it’s very difficult because I play a lot of singles. It can be sometimes very tiring to play both. I try to save my energy for singles.
JAMIE MURRAY: That’s why I’m running for all the drop shots.
JELENA JANKOVIC: Okay, if he will do that, I will play with him.
JAMIE MURRAY: Loads of conditions.
Q. You obviously want to hang on to her as a mixed doubles partner.
JELENA JANKOVIC: Doesn’t want to let go.
