Jelena Jankovic, a former world No. 1 tennis player from Serbia, has left an indelible mark on the sport with her impressive career spanning over 2 decades.
In this article, you will learn about Jelena Jankovic’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Jelena Jankovic’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Jelena Jankovic |
| Nickname | Jelena |
| Date of Birth | 28 February 1985 |
| Age | 39 |
| College | Megatrend University |
| Religion | Eastern Orthodox |
| Net Worth | Estimated $10 million |
| Salary | N/A |
| Spouse | Branko Barac |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Instagram Profile | jelena_jankovic |
Early Career
Jelena Jankovic’s tennis journey began at a young age in Belgrade, Serbia. She showed promise early on, excelling in junior competitions and catching the eye of tennis scouts.
Jankovic’s dedication and natural talent propelled her through the ranks of junior tennis, setting the stage for her eventual breakthrough on the professional circuit.
Her early success laid the foundation for what would become a remarkable career in professional tennis.
Professional Career
Jelena Jankovic’s professional career is a testament to her skill, determination, and resilience.
She burst onto the scene in the early 2000s, quickly establishing herself as a formidable opponent on the WTA Tour.
Her career reached its pinnacle in 2008 when she achieved the world No. 1 ranking, a position she held for 17 consecutive weeks.
Throughout her career, Jankovic consistently performed at a high level, reaching the final of the 2008 US Open and the semifinals of both the Australian Open and French Open.
Spouse
Jelena Jankovic is married to Branko Barac, a doctor from Belgrade who specializes in internal medicine and rheumatology.
The couple welcomed their first child, a baby girl, in April 2021. The name of their daughter is Una, as revealed in a recent interview.
Jelena Jankovic’s Net Worth Details
Jelena Jankovic’s net worth is estimated to be $10 million as of 2025.
Career Earnings
| Year | Earnings (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 99,168 |
| 2002 | 303,120 |
| 2003 | 409,520 |
| 2004 | 998,085 |
| 2005 | 2,028,000 |
| 2006 | 3,000,000 |
| 2007 | 6,975,000 |
| 2008 | 7,200,000 |
| 2009 | 862,330 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 930,512 |
Endorsements
Jelena Jankovic secured several lucrative endorsement deals, including:
- ANTA: Chinese sportswear brand.
- Prince: Tennis racquet manufacturer.
- Orbit: Chewing gum brand.
- Aqua Viva: Serbian mineral water company.
Career Stats
| Opponent | Head-to-Head Record | Notable Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Serena Williams | 4-10 | Defeated Serena 4 times, including once when she had a positive win-loss record against her |
| Venus Williams | N/A | Defeated both Serena and Venus Williams in less than 24 hours at one tournament |
| Maria Sharapova | 7-8 | Close rivalry with multiple high-profile matches |
| Ana Ivanovic | 9-3 | Dominant record against her fellow Serbian player |
| Justine Henin | 0-10 | Struggled against the Belgian player |
| Kim Clijsters | 1-8 | Found it difficult to overcome the Belgian star |
Career Achievements
Jelena Jankovic’s career is marked by numerous impressive achievements:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| WTA Titles | 15 Singles Titles, 2 Doubles Titles |
| Grand Slam Finals | 1 Final (2008 US Open) |
| Career Prize Money | $14,000,000 |
| Highest Ranking | World No. 1 |
FAQs
1. Who is Jelena Jankovic?
Jelena Jankovic is a retired Serbian professional tennis player born on February 28, 1985, in Belgrade, Serbia. She was ranked World No. 1 in women’s singles in 2008 and is known for her defensive playing style. Over her career, she won 15 WTA singles titles and one Grand Slam mixed doubles title.
2. What are Jelena Jankovic’s career highlights?
Jankovic’s career highlights include reaching the 2008 US Open singles final, winning the 2007 Wimbledon mixed doubles title with Jamie Murray, and attaining the World No. 1 ranking in August 2008. She also won prestigious tournaments like Indian Wells and Rome during her career.
3. How many titles did Jelena Jankovic win?
Jelena Jankovic won 15 WTA singles titles, two WTA doubles titles, and one Grand Slam mixed doubles title at Wimbledon in 2007. She also earned one WTA 125K series title and represented Serbia in multiple Fed Cup and Olympic events.
4. What is Jelena Jankovic’s playing style?
Jankovic was known as a defensive baseliner with exceptional footwork and consistency. Her two-handed backhand was her strongest shot, especially down the line. While her forehand was less aggressive, her improved net play and reliable serve helped her succeed on various surfaces.
5. Did Jelena Jankovic ever win a Grand Slam singles title?
No, Jelena Jankovic did not win a Grand Slam singles title. Her best performance was at the 2008 US Open, where she finished as the runner-up after losing to Serena Williams in straight sets.
6. What is Jelena Jankovic’s net worth?
Jelena Jankovic’s net worth is estimated at $15 million. Her wealth primarily comes from prize money totaling over $19 million and endorsements with brands like Reebok and Prince Sports.
7. When did Jelena Jankovic retire from professional tennis?
Jelena Jankovic retired from professional tennis in 2017 due to recurring injuries. Her last match was at the US Open that year, where she lost in the first round to Petra Kvitová.
8. What were Jelena Jankovic’s achievements at Grand Slam tournaments?
In singles, Jankovic reached the semifinals of the Australian Open (2008) and French Open (2007, 2008, 2010) and the final of the US Open (2008). In doubles, her best result was a quarterfinal finish at Wimbledon (2013), while she won Wimbledon mixed doubles in 2007.
9. What are some personal details about Jelena Jankovic?
Jelena Jankovic is the daughter of Veselin and Snežana Janković and has two brothers, Marko and Stefan. She studied at Megatrend University in Belgrade and has kept her personal life relatively private but was previously linked to Montenegrin water polo player Mlađan Janović.
10. What role does Jelena Jankovic play after retirement?
After retiring from tennis, Jelena Jankovic has remained involved in promoting the sport through various initiatives. She has also focused on personal endeavors while maintaining a lower public profile compared to her playing days.
