Ivanovic calls time on 2009 season

Former world no.1 Ana Ivanovic has pulled out of this week's China Open and decided to end her 2009 season after suffering an upper respiratory tract infection.

The Serbian, now ranked 11th in the world, said she had been feeling ill since she arrived in Asia for the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo and the upgraded $4.5 million mandatory WTA event at Beijing's Olympic tennis centre.

"I guess having to withdraw from Beijing is an appropriate ending to a very disappointing season," she said in a statement yesterday.

"I am sorry to my supporters who were hoping to see me play here in Beijing. It's very disappointing for me as well, to come here, see the amazing facility they have and not have the energy to be able to step onto court."

Ivanovic reached the no.1 spot in June last year after her maiden grand slam triumph at the French Open but this season she has not won a single tournament and made a first-round exit at the US Open last month.

The 21-year-old blamed the series of minor ailments that she has suffered recently on being "over-trained" in the early part of the year and said she had struggled to come to terms with the injuries.

"Instead of being patient and accepting that my best form was almost impossible due to physical limitations, I was always over-thinking things, and I never dealt with it very well," she said.

"The season was a continuation of going from one disappointment to another. If I had dealt better with these setbacks, I would have had a lot more success."