"A lot of fun to see what it's all about": Breakout 17-year-old star Iva Jovic sets stall for intriguing Sabalenka match-up in 2026

At just 17 years old, Iva Jovic has already established herself as one of the brightest emerging talents on the WTA Tour. Her rise over the past twelve months has been nothing short of remarkable: she began the 2025 season ranked outside the world’s top 190 and now sits at No. 35, buoyed by her maiden WTA title in Guadalajara and a string of consistent results that have quickly elevated her into the sport’s next-gen spotlight.

Jovic spoke to Christian's Court at the inaugural WTA 125 in Austin, where she entered as the top seed and reached the semifinals before falling to Marina Stakusic, the rising Canadian. Fresh off a smooth quarterfinal victory, Jovic spoke about her rapid progress, the challenges of transitioning from juniors to the pro tour, and the ambitious goals she has set for herself in 2026.

Very few players rise more than 150 ranking spots in a year, but for Jovic, a former ITF junior world No. 2 and the 2024 U.S. Girls’ 18s National Champion, the improvement has felt steady and intentional. “If I had to pick one word to describe my season, it would be progress,” she said. “Every week we've been working hard and building to get a little bit better. I’m glad that it's shown in the results, but I can also see the improvements in my game — in the little things here and there. Those things add up.”

Those “little things” have formed the foundation of her surge. She points to better movement, improved ball quality, a sharper serve, and — perhaps most importantly — a tougher mentality. “Transitioning from the juniors to the pros, you have to be locked in every point,” she explained. “I’ve gotten used to that and embraced it.”

Throughout the week in Austin, Jovic spent extra time on court honing slices and drop shots — tools she believes are essential as she continues to climb.

“It’s really important to have that variation,” she said. “Especially if you're not a massive girl or the biggest server. You have to be able to throw off the rhythm of the bigger hitters, and that’s what I’m working on.”

Jovic’s junior résumé is strong, but history has shown that junior stardom doesn’t always lead to success on the professional tour. For her, the difference comes down to mindset. “Some juniors, when they have success at that level, think they've made it and get a little too comfortable — and that’s the dangerous thing,” she said. “I’ve kept my head down. I’m always aware there’s so much more work to do. As long as you're improving, even just a little bit, you're going to get there.”

One of the defining moments of her season came in October, when she stormed to her first WTA title at the 500 event in Guadalajara — an extraordinary result for a newcomer. “It’s nice to have the ranking a little bit higher,” she said of the impact. “You can get into a lot of events seamlessly now. Getting yourself to a point where you're seeded in slams is a big milestone — it opens up the first couple rounds.”

The win didn’t change her daily approach, she insists, but it did shift her horizons. “My goals are just going to be a little bit bigger now. The daily work doesn’t change, but I'm going to aim a little higher next year.”

Jovic is still finalising her goals for the new season, but a few ambitions are already clear. “I’d love to get myself in a seeded position for the Australian Open,” she said. “I’m definitely close — a couple more pushes.”

Beyond that, she’s targeting trophies and top-10 wins. “It’s a lot about trying to win titles at the WTA level — the 250s, the 500, Masters. Having some top-10 wins is a big one for me next year.”

With her rapid rise has come increased attention, both online and at tournaments. In Austin, fans crowded the VIP area hoping for a photo with the rising star. “I try not to get super wrapped up in it,” Jovic said. “It's important to stay grounded and take care of the things you need to take care of. But obviously it's really nice — that’s why you want to play tennis, for those environments and that crowd support.”

While many players chased late-season points in Asia, Jovic opted for Austin — a decision rooted in both comfort and strategy. “First of all, I love Austin,” she said. “And I like finishing the year at a slightly lower level because you're able to work on a couple things and train through the tournament a little bit. Maybe the first round isn’t as brutal as at a 500.”

The match reps, she said, are invaluable. “That’s how I’ve progressed through the levels. I like going down a level and playing a lot of matches.”

Asked which player she most hopes to face next season, Jovic didn’t hesitate. “I’m going to say Sabalenka,” she smiled. “Number one in the world. It would be an unbelievable matchup — a lot of fun to see what it's all about and how it feels to be on the other side of the net from a player like that.”

It’s a matchup the tennis world would love to see — and given Jovic’s trajectory, it may come sooner rather than later.