Jelena Jankovic has reacted angrily to Roger Federer's criticism of her former world number one ranking.
Jankovic hits out at critical Swiss master
Jelena Jankovic has reacted angrily to Roger Federer's criticism of her former world number one ranking.
The Serb moved to top spot in August after losing her first Grand Slam final to now world number one Serena Williams at the US Open.
Jankovic has since dropped down to third in the world following a shock fourth-round defeat to France's Marion Bartoli at the Australian Open.
But 13-time Grand Slam champion Federer's assertion that only a major winner should be able to make it to number one has really got her riled.
"To be honest, I do not like to talk about players, I really prefer to focus on myself," Jankovic told
Reuters.
"Why should he even care? I don't like putting my nose in other's business.
"I mean, one thing I like about (Federer's arch-rival) Rafael Nadal is that he is such a great champion, he is so humble, always has kind words for everybody, he is a role model for everybody.
"Federer is a great champion, I don't want to get in a fight with him but why does he care, I really don't understand. Why does he need to do that?"
Offence
Federer also led the charge against Jankovic's compatriot Novak Djokovic after the defending champion quit because of the heat in his Australian Open quarter-final match against Andy Roddick.
"I'm almost in favour of saying, you know what, if you're not fit enough, just get out of here," the Swiss said.
And Jankovic, who is set to get her Paris Open campaign under way against Italy's Francesca Schiavone, has hit out at Federer for commenting.
"I don't think it's nice to attack other players," she added. "If he retired, he probably had his reasons, he knows better.
"You cannot attack someone when you don't have proof, when you don't have a piece of evidence.
"There is no reason to offend him that way."
