TENNIS in DEPTH.

Ana Ivanovic has been training at her Sunshine Beach base with her former coach Sven Groenefeld, The prospective third seed for the Brisbane International, which starts on Sunday week, said her association with Melbourne conditioner Mark McGrath, who formerly worked with Olympic athlete Cathy Freeman, had ended after only two weeks and she had enlisted Damian Prasad, who had been with the Australian Institute of Sport tennis program.

During a 2009 season in which injuries and illness drove her ranking out to No. 21, the Serbian right-hander stopped working with Scott Byrnes, the Australian conditioner who helped her, along with Groenefeld, to her 2008 French Open title during a three-year stint.

The former world No. 1, who blames injuries from “over-training” for her slide, believes changing times for her off the court will translate to better fortunes and a return to the top 10 in 2010.

“It’s great to have someone like Sven, so knowledgeable about women’s tennis,” said Ivanovic, who will be having Christmas at a Sunshine Beach house with boyfriend Adam Scott, some family members and her off-court team.

“It’s different working with the girls to the guys. It helps that he knows me that well that he understands what I’m going through, even without me expressing myself so much. We went through a lot of good and bad times together and he still has a lot of things to teach me.

“I worked with (McGrath in November) for a couple of weeks in Melbourne – now I have a new fitness coach. I feel I have the right people now who are going to help me get back on the right track and I’m looking forward to the tournaments now.

“Brisbane is a great place to start. I’m going out without expectations but know that I can reach far.”

Ivanovic, 21, said she understands publicity surrounding her relationship with Scott would make her even more popular at her two Australian tournaments and admits she will have to arrange a “few tickets” for him to watch her Brisbane International matches.

“I really loved it here and have been saying it for years – the crowds are very warm and knowledgeable about tennis,” she said.

Ivanovic said she was excited by the prospect of posting a first win over Justine Henin, who is making her comeback in Brisbane from a brief retirement.

“She’s an amazing player, definitely one of the toughest opponents – I have not beaten her yet,” she said.

Ivanovic said she knew better how to minimise injuries as a result of her experiences this year. “I need to work smarter,” she said.

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