French Open champion Ana Ivanovic believes she is close to her best after struggling with injury and a slump in form midway through last year.

The 21-year-old Serb, armed with a new coach, is currently in California to defend her WTA Indian Wells title and is confident she can reverse a recent slide down the world rankings.

"I had a great 2008 and, despite the last six months, I still rate it as the best year of my career," world number seven Ivanovic told Reuters.

"I won my first grand slam and I became the number one in the world. I learned a lot about myself, even though the last six months were very frustrating and very disappointing for me.

"I learned a lot about my game and I learned it's not all about rising.

"It's also about learning how to fall and learning how to lose without being truly defeated and that's something that I want to take as a positive from last year and try to build up."

Ivanovic, who became world number one for the first time after beating compatriot Jelena Jankovic in last year's French Open semi-finals, was confident she could recapture her best form.

"I have been working really hard ever since I recovered from injury and the results were not there. I know that good results are just around the corner for me."

One of the glamour figures on the women's circuit, Ivanovic was hampered by a right thumb injury midway through last year before ending her campaign with an eighth WTA singles title at Linz in October.

Last month she linked up with American coach Craig Kardon, who worked with Martina Navratilova during her most successful period, and has already begun to reap the benefits.

"I am really enjoying working with Craig," said Ivanovic, who hammered Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4 6-3 in last year's final at Indian Wells.

"We both have the same view about my game, just being more aggressive and more consistent.

"Just having a couple of weeks with him gave me so much more confidence, being more clear about my game and also having the security. For the past six to eight months, I was deciding myself about practices, what I should do and exercises.

"Finally, I have a coach I trust who can do that so I don't have to think about it and I can really focus on my game," added the Serb, who has been seeded fifth at Indian Wells.

"It's been a great step forward for me."