Iva Jovic, a rising star in the world of tennis, has bravely shared her feelings of nervousness when it comes to speaking with her idol, Novak Djokovic. The 18-year-old American, already making waves in the sport, opened up about her admiration for the tennis legend during an interview, revealing the impact he has on her career.
Born and raised in California, with Serbian roots, Jovic's talent has not gone unnoticed. She is considered one of the hottest prospects in women's tennis, and her journey has been nothing short of remarkable. After her impressive victory over Priscilla Hon in the second round of the Australian Open, Jovic has continued to showcase her skills at the Dubai Tennis Championships this week, where she is set to compete against formidable opponents.
When discussing the possibility of seeking advice from Djokovic at the Dubai event, Jovic expressed her trepidation. “Oh, my God. Well, I hope … I don’t know if I’m brave enough to do that,” she admitted candidly. “I’m still a little nervous when I talk to him. He’s definitely my idol, but yeah, I see him at every corner.” The young tennis sensation is acutely aware of Djokovic's legendary status, remarking on his numerous tournament wins and the constant presence of his image on screens around her. “Just try to be like Novak,” she added, reflecting her desire to emulate his success.
While Jovic did not compete in the Qatar Open the previous week, she kicked off her Dubai campaign with a fierce 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 triumph over Kamilla Rakhimova. Her stellar performance has propelled her to a remarkable start in the 2026 season, highlighted by reaching her first Grand Slam quarter-final at the Australian Open. Notably, she was also a semi-finalist at the Auckland Open and a finalist at the Hobart International, underscoring her rapid ascent in the WTA rankings, where she currently sits at an impressive 20th place with a 12-3 win-loss record this year.
As she reflects on her early successes, Jovic emphasizes the importance of consistency in her game. “I like to think that it’s surprising but not surprising, because obviously having great results and maybe some wins weren’t expected, but I also know how hard I’ve worked, and that good things tend to come when you put in the right work,” she stated. Her commitment to improvement is evident as she aims to establish herself as a player capable of deep runs in tournaments week after week.
Looking ahead, Jovic is preparing to face Diana Shnaider in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday, eager to continue her impressive form. As fans and experts closely monitor her journey, Jovic's combination of talent, hard work, and respect for the game’s legends sets the stage for what could be a thrilling career ahead.
