Iva Jovic Denied Clothes Change Due to Time Violation Warning During Tense Naomi Osaka Roland Garros Clash

Iva Jovic‘s French Open campaign ended on Saturday (May 30). Up against her was Naomi Osaka, who, with scores of 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-4, booked a spot in the fourth round of the clay-court Major for the first time in her career.

Amid the sweltering heat, Jovic wanted to change her kit. But she got confused upon asking the chair umpire whether she could change her clothes again. But the umpire issued her a time-violation warning.

Well, you have to be back before her [Osaka]. You are on your own time. If you are back after her and the court is ready, then it’s a back-to-back time violation.

The chair umpire told Iva Jovic

As per the rules, players are given one break per match, for changing clothes or for going to the bathroom. For bathroom breaks, they are given three minutes, while for clothes change, they are given five minutes. Jovic had already changed her clothes and wanted to use the bathroom, but the umpire told her that if Osaka was ready to play again before her return, she could be penalized for it.

So when Jovic asked, “I’m not allowed to change twice? So can I go to the normal bathroom?” she was told this: “It’s the same thing. You have to be back before her.”

so men are allowed to get naked on court but women can’t change twice off court ??? pic.twitter.com/PtltKJJIiZ

— 🦖 (@RamoFootball) May 30, 2026

Jovic played the third round of the French Open for the first time in her career. But she produced her best Grand Slam performance at this year’s Australian Open as she made the quarterfinals, losing to eventual runner-up Aryna Sabalenka.

Naomi Osaka sets up Aryna Sabalenka clash after defeating Iva Jovic

Naomi Osaka is expecting another tough battle because in the next round, she will be up against Aryna Sabalenka, who has yet to drop a set in the tournament. The Belarusian ace defeated Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 7-5 to schedule her career’s fourth match against her fellow four-time Grand Slam singles champion.

Sabalenka holds a 2-1 head-to-head lead over the Japanese ace, having won their last two meetings, with their most recent clash in the fourth round of this year’s Madrid Open.

I feel that the last match in Madrid was very close and of high level; she really raised her level in that match. I am prepared for the battle, ready to go out there and fight for that match and for that win. Ready to do whatever it takes to win.

Aryna Sabalenka said at the press conference

Since their first meeting in the fourth round of the 2018 US Open, they did not meet again until this year’s Indian Wells fourth round. Prior to arriving in the French capital, Osaka reached the fourth round of both the Madrid and the Italian Open, losing to Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, respectively.

It’s great to see her back to her level. Maybe not at her best level yet, but she’s back, fighting, and rebuilding her game. It’s nice to see her; she is a great player and a great person. I feel that I really enjoy our battles; they are matches of the highest level, and I enjoy it when someone pushes me to the limit.

Aryna Sabalenka added

Osaka has yet to win a title since the 2021 Australian Open. But Sabalenka has already played four finals this year, winning in Brisbane, Indian Wells, and Miami and losing at the Australian Open.

Sabalenka finished as the runner-up in last year’s French Open, losing in three sets to Coco Gauff, who suffered defeat at the hands of Anastasia Potapova in the third round. She lost both the Madrid Open and the Italian Open before reaching the final.

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