ANA IVANOVIC is the centre of attention in the women’s tennis world — but only after battling against extreme shyness.

The Serb starlet, 20, goes into Wimbledon on Monday as World No1 after winning the French Open two weeks ago — her first Grand Slam title.

Ivanovic has not only overtaken Russian Maria Sharapova in the pin-up stakes but she is regarded as one of the nicest personalities in the game.

CHECK out our ace picture special of Ana below:

But when she first started playing tennis in a drained swimming pool in Belgrade, she suffered from a lack of confidence.

Ivanovic, who reached the semi-finals at the All England Club last year, said: “I wanted to achieve lots in tennis and I had dreams of winning Grand Slams.

"But I was really shy as a kid and I never wanted to be the centre of attention.

“I didn’t like to talk so much to people. But I’ve changed and with the tennis goals that I have, I realised being famous and playing on Centre Court is part of the job.

“I am now comfortable when I receive attention.

“But if you saw me five years ago, you wouldn’t say the same. I didn’t speak much and would sit in a corner.

“Now it is flattering and gives me much more confidence and incentive to work harder.

“And there are times the photo shoots can be more tiring than the practice!”

Beaten in last year’s French Open and this year’s Australian Open finals, doubts emerged whether Ivanovic had the right mental strength.

But this year she was outstanding at Roland Garros and thrashed Dinara Safina 6-4 6-3 in the final.

And Ivanovic cannot wait to return to London, where she practised at the end of last year.

She added: “I really enjoy my time there. We practised in the LTA’s new Roehampton tennis centre, which is great.

“I just look forward for my next opportunity to go there because it was only for two weeks.”

You would not bet against Ivanovic spending another two weeks in London this month. Quite a few male tennis fans will be hoping she does.