"She told me I might have to do a rap": Iva Jovic relishing Billie Jean King Cup duty even with initiation to follow
WTA
Rising American talent Iva Jovic continues to impress not only with her results, but with a level of composure and self-awareness that belies her 18 years.
Speaking on Tennis Channel following her 7–5, 7–5 victory over Sofia Kenin in Charleston, Jovic offered insight into the mindset that carried her through another challenging match and into the quarterfinals, where she will face Anna Kalinskaya.
From the outset, the connection with the Charleston crowd was clear. “I can tell, and I love it. You guys are amazing,” Jovic said, acknowledging the support from the stands.
But while the atmosphere was positive, the match itself tested her physically and mentally. After letting a first-set lead slip before recovering, and then falling behind in the second, Jovic had to problem-solve in real time against a dangerous opponent.
“I think it started with some physical drops,” she explained. “Sonia is very dangerous, and when she gets a little hot, it can be flustering and tricky to find your way back.”
That physical dip soon turned into a mental challenge, but Jovic showed the kind of resilience that has quickly become her trademark. "So it was first physical, then a little mental, but I kind of got it back in the nick of time to not have to go into that third set,” she said. “But even if I did, you just have to say, ‘All right, that’s fine. Let’s just work through this third and bring it home,’ the scenic route, as Sebastian Korda said in Miami.”
That blend of honesty and perspective is part of what has drawn praise from analysts and former players alike. For Jovic, that mentality is deeply ingrained. “I think the hard work is natural. I grew up with it,” she said. “In my family, it was always the biggest value. I’ve always had so much support from my parents and my sister, and they’re all good people.”
Those values shape how she evaluates herself beyond results. “Being a good person and working really hard, those are the controllables,” she said. “If I can do those two things, I can sleep soundly at night.”
A coaching bond formed at 13 still there at 18
Equally important to her development has been the team around her. Jovic has worked with coach Tom Gutteridge since she was just 13, a partnership that began through the USTA pathway and has grown into a cornerstone of her career.
“Honestly, I got really, really lucky,” she said. “At that point, it’s so financially difficult to support your career. Tom was the USTA coach at the time, so it was a free resource, and he happened to be one of the best coaches in the world.”
Gutteridge’s influence has extended far beyond technical improvements, although those have been significant. “When I came to him, my technique needed a lot of work,” Jovic admitted. “We’ve changed a lot to make me more technically sound.”
Perhaps more crucially, he has instilled a development-first mindset that prioritizes growth over short-term results. “He really doesn’t care if I win or lose at this point,” she said. “If I win, it’s great, but we’re still going back on the practice court right after. Sometimes I lose and it’s a great match, and sometimes I win and it’s not a great match because I didn’t do the things we set out to do.”
Iva Jovic defeated Sofia Kenin on Thursday.
That philosophy was evident even in Charleston, where Jovic joked she would likely head straight back to practice after her win. “I’m probably going to go on the practice court now anyway,” she said.
As her ranking and profile continue to rise, so too do expectations. Already, there is talk of her long-term potential, including the possibility of competing for Grand Slam titles and even reaching world No. 1.
Jovic, however, remains grounded in the process and clear-eyed about the areas she still needs to improve. “I think a little bit is some tactical and mental adjustments,” she said. “A lot of the girls that are ruling the sport right now are big hitters. They don’t give you a lot of rhythm, and so far I’ve struggled with that.”
Her natural game is built more on constructing points rather than overpowering opponents, which presents a different set of challenges against the tour’s biggest hitters. “I’m more the player that works the point,” she said. “So I’m still kind of finding my way against those types of players. But thankfully I’m young, I have a lot of time, and it’s getting better.”
She also pointed to the importance of small margins at the highest level. “It’s break-hold tennis at the top of the game,” she said. “You’ve got to take care of your serve, and when you get your one look, you have to take it.”
Billie Jean King Cup duty awaits
Off the court, Jovic’s rapid rise has already brought major opportunities, including selection for the United States in the Billie Jean King Cup team under captain Lindsay Davenport.
Her reaction to the news was immediate and emphatic. “I was so excited,” she said. “Some people were telling me, ‘Are you sure you want to do that? It’s the week after, you’re going to be tired.’ I was like, ‘Are you kidding me? No, I want to go.’”
For Jovic, representing her country remains one of the most meaningful experiences in the sport. “In the juniors, it was my favorite weeks, to be on a team and play for your country. It’s amazing.”
There will, however, be at least one new challenge to navigate: the traditional rookie initiation. Teammate Caty McNally has already warned her what might be coming. “She told me I might have to do a rap,” Jovic said with a smile. “So I’m waiting to see what Lindsay is going to have me do.”
The moment also carried a personal note, as Jovic reflected on crossing paths with former player Alison Riske-Amritraj earlier in her career.
“When I first met Tom, it was at the US Open when Ally was there,” she said. “He always talks about you as a motivation, how hard you worked and maximized everything you could. That’s what we all want to do.”
It is a mindset Jovic is clearly embracing as she continues her ascent.
With a quarterfinal clash against Kalinskaya ahead and growing momentum behind her, Jovic’s run in Charleston is becoming about more than just results. It is a glimpse into a player building her game, her identity, and her future with unusual clarity.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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