High-flying Jankovic puts her studies on hold

Jelena Jankovic is in her second year of a business degree but has found little time to study now that she has reached number three in the world and has her sights set on next week's Wimbledon.

"Nowadays I'm a little bit behind because I've been doing very well on the court and I've been very concentrated on my tennis," the 22-year-old told Reuters.

"I will try to study little by little - my ambition is to finish."

She came close to quitting the sport last year but since then has shot up the rankings after a run of good results.

Jankovic reached the semi-finals of Roland Garros earlier this month and then tuned up for Wimbledon by defeating Maria Sharapova in the final of the Birmingham Classic on Sunday, capturing her fourth title of 2007.

Her bid to reach a grand slam final has twice been thwarted by world number one Justine Henin and so the Serbian is hoping to avoid playing the Belgian in southwest London.

"I think I have the best chance on grass against her," she said.

"I love playing on grass. I feel confident on this surface so hopefully I can play the best game and do well."

Attitude change

Jankovic said her rise up the Sony Ericsson WTA rankings had come after she started working hard on the physical side of her game and also altered her mental approach.

"I've changed my attitude and I look at things in a positive way," she said.

"I always try to learn, I don't try to look for excuses when I lose a match, I try to analyse my mistakes and what I can do better to keep improving and becoming a better player each time."

Jankovic was one of three Serbians to reach the semi-finals in Paris. Asked if they could repeat the feat at Wimbledon, she said: "I hope it will be like that there, we will try our best."

If she continues to perform like she has this year, it could be a while before she returns to University or embarks on the alternative career she has earmarked.

"I really love acting and that is maybe something after my tennis career that I would like to pursue."