Thousands of adoring fans lined the streets of Belgrade on Tuesday to welcome home Ana Ivanovic after her Roland Garros victory, in a party the new number one will not forget in a long time.

"This moment will be not equalled, I will remember it all my life," said an emotional Ivanovic in a moving speech to supporters carrying banners and chanting "Ana, we love you."

"The last days have been a dream. I will never forget Roland Garros. When I heard the national anthem (Boze Pravde) I couldn't hold back the tears," said the 20-year-old. It was a special moment for me."

On Saturday the Serbian won the French Open, her first Grand Slam title, beating 13th seed Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-3.

An elated Ivanovic was in confident mood ahead of next month's Wimbledon.

"It will be difficult at Wimbledon but I think we will be able to meet here again to party," she said before throwing tennis balls into the crowd.

AFP