Los Angeles: Ivan Ljubicic has suffered his fair share of misfortune on tennis courts around the world but the big-serving Croat could not be any happier with his new-found relaxation and winning form.
Just two days after celebrating his 31st birthday, the ATP Tour veteran finally clinched his first Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells and on Monday, he was rewarded for that success by returning to the world's top 15.
While Ljubicic takes great care to remind anyone who will listen that one triumphant tournament does not necessarily mean another will follow, he believes he is playing the best tennis of his career.
"The fact that I won here [at Indian Wells] doesn't make me the number three or the number five in the world," the former world number three told reporters.
"I just need to be realistic and try to consolidate these results with some other solid results, work on my body and make sure I stay fit and I can compete.
"I know how difficult it is to beat me, to beat myself, and I'm gonna give a hard time to everybody who is gonna be on the other side of the net," Ljubicic said after overpowering Andy Roddick 7-6, 7-6 on Sunday.
Getting better
"I think I'm playing better tennis now than in 2006 when I was number three in the world. I'm ready to win big ones and I'm ready to beat anybody."
Above all, though, Ljubicic is especially happy with the relaxed way in which he now approaches his matches. "For me, it's much easier than it was in 2007," the six-foot-four-inch Croat said. "That was a really difficult year for me mentally."
Now a winner of 10 ATP titles, Ljubicic rose to a career-high third in the rankings in 2006 when he beat virtually everyone except Roger Federer.
However, he lost ground over the next two years.
"I changed my fitness coach last year in September, and that gave me new motivation to work hard again," Ljubicic said. "Now I feel really motivated with nothing to prove to anybody. "I'm playing for myself again as I was doing at beginning of my career. I'm enjoying every good result and it's more relaxing for me now than it was three years ago.
"I'm not gonna react on expectations from anybody. I know what I can do. One thing is sure: I'm not gonna play with a lot of pressure."
