Ivanovic on a hot streak

TENNIS starlet Ana Ivanovic traded the sub-zero temperatures of her Spanish training camp for Perth's sweltering 38C yesterday.

"It's hot," declared Ivanovic, who will represent Serbia in the Hopman Cup starting in Perth on Saturday as she prepares for next month's Australian Open.

"It's a big change from Europe and the past two days at home were a bit cold, but I'm so happy to be back."

Christmas for Ivanovic, of Serbian Orthodox faith, is normally held on January 7.

But with the tennis calendar starting in Australia and several family members living in Melbourne, the former world No.1 took to celebrating the December 25 date.

Ivanovic said adopting the day helped make Christmas abroad easier.

"Our Christmas falls in January, but the past six or seven years I've always come to Australia earlier, for Christmas here with my relatives from Melbourne," she said. "So I've kind of adopted it and I love it here.

"Unfortunately, you get a little bit (distracted) from the feeling of New Year's and Christmas because you're competing constantly, so it doesn't become as big. (But) I love the feeling about it."