Ana Ivanovic to go it alone

Former No 1 Ana Ivanovic will play the Dubai Championships this week after sacking her latest coach, with the Serb determined not to rush any future choice of a replacement mentor.

The 2008 French Open champion who has rescued her WTA ranking back to 19th, parted company only days ago after a trial period with Antonio van Grichen, an arrangement which only began before the 2011 season.

Ivanovic, who won two of her last three 2010 tournaments, appears to be following the examples on the men's side from Andy Murray and Roger Federer. Murray is still without a coach since last summer while Federer went for years basically on his own until hooking up last summer after Wimbledon with Paul Annacone.

Ivanovic, who split with Swiss Heinz Gunthardt in 2010 after a trial run, said that she intends to go it alone for some months, She believes life will be less complicated as she heads into a first-round match at the Aviation club with Patty Schnyder of Switzerland.

The 23-year-old who has been to the top of tennis and back, told Gulf media that she's a grown-up player who can direct her own life on court.

“When you're 14 or 15 and getting into the routine, then you need someone to push you and point you in the right direction,” she said.

“I'm at the stage of my career when I know what my goals are and when I know I have to work hard in order to succeed. There is no need for someone to repeat it into my ear every day.”

The best showings for Ivanovic in Dubai were quarterfinals in 2008 and 2009, her last appearance.

The Dubai field has been hit by defections, with two-time holder Venus Williams declining to return to aim for a trophy hat-trick due to injury. Maria Sharapova, losing finalist in her only previous appearance five years ago, withdrew with a virus.

The field is headed by former No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, who was replaced at the top spot Monday by Australian Open winner Kim Clijsters, who is taking a break this week after losing a Paris indoor final at the weekend.

Ivanovic remains convinced that she can find the way to win matches on her own.

“If I play at my best, regardless of anything else, I will win. That is why I don't worry much over tactical variations,” she said.

But she said a coach can bring advantages. “They are really good at tactics but I sometimes pay too much attention to the technical aspect of my game that I forget what I am really doing.

“I over-analyse everything, that's why I've decided to give it a rest. I'm not looking for a new coach and we'll see how it goes.”