Bojana Jovanovski hangs up the racket. The 26-year-old was once number 32 in the world before her injury. However, the “900-mile faux pas of Carlsbad” will always be remembered in connection with the Serb.
Jovanovski announced her resignation on her Facebook page. “The first chapter of my professional life is over. After a few injuries and operations and long consideration, it was very difficult for me to make a final decision,” wrote the right-hander from Belgrade: “Tennis is a passion of mine, but my body hasn’t played along. In 2012 she won the title at the tournament in Baku, one year later “Boja” won in Tashkent.
Since 2016, the former Fed Cup player, lastly only number 546 in the world, has been struggling with injuries on her shoulder and wrist. Jovanovski is not lost to your sport, however. After studying psychology, she is aiming for a career as a coach. “Tennis has given me so much and enriched my life. I met many people and found joy for life”, Jovanovski explained: “And I had the chance to see the world.”
To see the world! Which would build the bridge to an episode that will somehow always remain connected with the name Jovanovski. At the end of July 2011, the then 19-year-old wanted to fly from Washington to the next tournament in Carlsbad, California. The Serb did, too – didn’t she?
After landing, Jovanovski stood in the tiny and almost empty arrivals hall and, after waiting 15 minutes, contacted the driver who was originally supposed to pick her up. “They told me they were at the airport looking for me, too. But I was the only person in this hall.”
After the next question from the supposed collector, Jovanovski fell like scales from his eyes: “Are you in Carlsbad, California – or in Carlsbad, New Mexico? The latter was the case – and she had a problem. The “wrong” Carlsbad was 900 miles (about 1500 kilometres) away from the “right” Carlsbad.
It was not until the next morning that she landed at her desired destination. 30 minutes before her match against Roberta Vinci, the teenager arrived at the facility. Jovanovski lost 6:3, 4:6, 1:6 against the Italian – but won many hearts. In the following weeks she had to explain her odyssey again and again.