16-year-old Iva Jovic picks Novak Djokovic as her inspiration; here’s why

After her incredible first-round win, Iva Jovic explained why she looked up to Novak Djokovic and considered him as her idol.

16-year-old Iva Jovic picks Novak Djokovic as her inspiration; here’s why

Novak Djokovic (inset) and Iva Jovic (images via Getty and US Open)

American tennis sensation Iva Jovic knocked out former Top 20 and current World No. 47 Magda Linette in straight sets at the 2024 US Open. The prodigal teenager is in her first women’s Grand Slam event after being awarded a wildcard into the tournament.

The 16-year-old has been successful on the junior circuit, winning the under-18 US National Championship recently. Jovic also has one ITF title to her name and reached the semifinal of the junior Wimbledon earlier this year.

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Her impressive journey started with a third-round run in the junior US Open in 2022, when she was just 14. After beating Linette 6-4, 6-3, Jovic, when asked about her favorite player, stated that Novak Djokovic was her idol and that she drew inspiration from him.

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Djokovic, I mean, do I need to say? We all know how great he is. And then Belinda, she just takes the ball so early and her footwork is very cutting the angle, so she just makes her opponents feel kind of suffocated. That’s what I would like to try to do.
Iva Jovic said (via AP News)

The Californian also mentioned that she follows 2020 Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic and tries to replicate her aggressive style. Ranked 389 in the world, Jovic will face the 29th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round.

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Iva Jovic becomes the youngest American to win a main draw match at the US Open since 2000

Iva Jovic broke a record that has stood for over 24 years by securing her first Major win by beating Magda Linette in the first round at the 2024 US Open. At just 16 years of age, she is now the youngest American to make it to the second round at the event.

Iva Jovic
Iva Jovic (image via US Open)

Last year, Russian Mirra Andreeva also reached the second round at the US Open at the same age and has been on the rise since. Four years ago, Katrina Scott of the USA was also 16 when she registered a first-round victory at the New York Slam, though Jovic has achieved it while being a few months younger than Scott. 

Thanks to the win, Jovic will pocket at least $100k and soar into the top 300 in the WTA rankings. She is also taking part in the women’s and mixed doubles main draw events in New York this fortnight.

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