Irate Jankovic tells Federer to mind his own business

Published on Tuesday 10 February 2009 22:00

ROGER Federer should concentrate on his own career rather than criticising others, insists Serb Jelena Jankovic after being irked by the Swiss player's unflattering verdict on her No1 world ranking last year.

Last month, former men's world No1 Federer hit out at the way the WTA rankings were calculated, saying a player who has never won a grand slam should not be granted the top spot.

Jankovic reached No1 in the WTA rankings in August having never won a major tournament. She lost her first grand slam final to American Serena Williams at last year's US Open, and the Serb has since dropped down to third in the world.

"I do not like to talk about players, I really prefer to focus on myself," said Jankovic.

She said she could not understand why Federer felt the need to hit out at women's tennis while his great rival Rafael Nadal, who took over from the Swiss as world No1 last year, was so "humble".

"Why should he even care?" said Jankovic. "I don't like putting my nose in others' business. One thing I like about Nadal is that he is such a great champion, he is so humble, always has kind words for everybody, he is a role model for everybody. Federer is a great champion, I don't want to get in a fight with him, but why does he care, I really don't understand. Why does he need to do that?"

Meanwhile, Agnieszka Radwanska comfortably defeated Oxana Lyubtsova of Ukraine 6-1, 6-1 in the first round of the Open GDF Suez in Paris. Radwanska will next face Alisa Kleybanova, a 19-year-old Russian who defeated Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria 6-2, 7-6.

Monica Niculescu of Romania beat Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland 6-4, 6-3, while Nathalie Dechy of France defeated Sorana Cirstea of Romania 6-2, 1-6, 6-2.

Emilie Loit of France eliminated Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-4 in the French capital.