Jankovic happy with her mean streak

Dubai: World No 4 Jelena Jankovic is struggling hard to balance the two personalities within her.

On court, she refuses to compromise with her competitive spirit, but off it, she is one of the most lively and lovely people to be with.

"On the one hand, I am feisty and competitive every time I go on court. And on the other hand, I love to be outgoing, bubbly and have fun all the time," Jankovic said.

"It's like a battle really. It seems I am two different people rolled into one and the two are fighting between themselves all the time."

Since making her debut as a professional player in 2000, Jankovic has captured five singles career titles that transcribe into more than $3.7 million (Dh27 million) in earnings on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.

Jankovic, though, believes she can sort of balance these two aspects of her life as player and as an individual.

"I can only hope I will be a good competitor and never really give up fighting until the end while I am on court. The idea is to enjoy each and every moment of the time I spend on court and then carry the same attitude on to actual life," Jankovic said.

From finishing at No 12 in the rankings at the end of 2006, Jankovic made huge progress last season to finish at No 3. "And now though I am just 22, I am considered a veteran," she said.

But the suave Serbian has also evolved as a person. "I feel I am able to deal with defeat better now. It is always disappointing to lose and no-one really likes to lose on tour. But now I have a different approach wherein I consider winning and losing as part of sport," Jankovic said with a smile.

"I am getting older and I am getting more mature and better."