Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Ana Ivanovic hopes to keep up her “back to the future” tennis week in Luxembourg as the Serb plays at the venue where she got her start in the sport. The small WTA event has long made a big impression on the former No. 1.

The indoor venue was scene of her first WTA event in 2003, her first WTA quarter-final in 2004, and first career title three years later. “I really hope I can repeat some of the success I’ve had in the past here,” the 2008 French Open champion “This was the first WTA event I came to – I think I was 14 or 15 at the time.

“I got a wildcard into the qualifying, and I promised I’d be back at least four or five times. I’ve been back many more times than that since then, and I even won it once, so it has a very special vibe for me.”

Ivanovic likes the small-time charm of the tournament, where she is friends with most of the longtime staff. “There’s just something about the atmosphere. Everything is so easy-going. They have nice fans, nice stands, nice courts. And the city is also beautiful – the old city, I have many memories of going for walks there, so this year I’m looking forward to doing a little bit more of that.”

The No. 12 is working to make amends at season’s end for a modest 2015 and has qualified into the 12-woman field at a new WTA event Zhuhai, southern China, designed for players ranked 9-19 in the world.

“I’m just a little bit disappointed right now, because I was so close to Singapore (main finals next week) and didn’t manage to qualify. But I’ve still had some good games this year.

“Obviously the semi-finals of the French Open is the highlight of my season, and I had a good run in Beijing – I had a good chance to be in the final there but couldn’t convert the chances I had. But it was a great week, a tough draw with tough matches, and it’s something that gives me the confidence to keep trying to finish the year on a good note.

“Like I said, this is a really nice place. Hopefully I can perform well and go home with the trophy.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.