Iva Jovic Explains How Novak Djokovic’s Advice is Shaping Her Approach To Matches

Iva Jovic is in the round of 16 of the WTA 500 tournament in Charleston.

Iva Jovic Explains How Novak Djokovic’s Advice is Shaping Her Approach To Matches

Novak Djokovic, Iva Jovic (Image via X/#AusOpen, Jimmie48 Photography)

In Short
  • Iva Jovic credits Novak Djokovic's advice for her improved performance on the court this season.
  • She achieved her first career win at the Charleston Open, defeating Alycia Parks 6-3, 6-2.
  • Jovic emphasizes discipline and work ethic as key factors in her development as a player.

Iva Jovic has admitted that Novak Djokovic’s influence and advice have helped shape her game on the court this season. The American star made these claims after securing her first career win at the Charleston Open, applying an element of Djokovic’s advice against fellow compatriot Alycia Parks in their first-round clash.

Jovic began the year by claiming her first top 10 win at the Australian Open after beating Jasmine Paolini in straight sets. The American star then reached the quarter-finals before losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals, which marked the first time in her career that she got to the last eight of a Grand Slam tournament.

En route to the quarter-finals, Jovic opened up about the advice Djokovic gave her that helped her improve on her game. She has since continued to heed the advice, which paid off with a 6-3, 6-2 win against Parks at the WTA 500 clay tournament in Charleston. The 18-year-old broke Parks’ five times during the match.

Also, she ensured that Parks didn’t break her throughout the tie. The result adds to Jovic’s brilliant run this season, which has seen her compete in tour-level events more than at this time last year. She will face Grand Slam champion and fellow American Sofia Kenin for a place in the quarter-finals of the Charleston Open.

Speaking to Tennis Channel at Charleston, she was asked if she still followed through with Djokovic’s advice in every tournament. The fourth seed admitted that each time she doesn’t want to listen to her coach’s advice, they often make a joke about obeying Djokovic’s tactical tips ahead of a match:

He’s given me some great tips. I can tell he has watched my matches, which is surreal. He gives me very specific tips about some different tactics I can play and some different versatility that I can add into my game. My coach and I have a joke — if you don’t want to listen to me, at least listen to Novak, because they’re saying the same thing. But it’s a little different when it comes from Novak. Listen to the GOAT.

While Jovic seems to be riding high on Djokovic’s advice, the Serbian legend has been away from the court since the Indian Wells Masters. He withdrew from the Miami Open and announced that he would not compete in the Monte Carlo Masters. There are reports that he will be back on the court at the Madrid Open.

Iva Jovic opens up on the reasons behind her development on the court

Iva Jovic has been making strides on tour since last season. She first made a name for herself at the Wuhan Open, where she reached the round of 16 for the first time in her career. She exited the event at that stage after losing to Katerina Siniakova in straight sets. In January, she reached the semi-finals of the Auckland Classics.

Iva Jovic
Iva Jovic (image via US Open)

She had not dropped a set en route to the last four of the competition in Auckland until eventual champion Elina Svitolina defeated her in straight sets. During the aforementioned interview, she linked her development on the court to discipline, family background, and the need to maximize controllable aspects of her game:

I think it’s discipline, work ethic, and family values. My parents worked very hard — they immigrated and didn’t have a lot. I know I have to work for everything I want. I’m maybe not the tallest or the strongest, so I need to control everything I can on court. I think it’s a lot about self-discovery. The beautiful thing about tennis is that you’re not just winning or losing — you’re getting to know yourself.

After the Auckland Classics, Jovic went on to reach her first final of the season at the Hobart International. However, she lost the title to Elisabetta Cocciaretto 4-6, 4-6. She’s looking to bounce back from a poor Sunshine Double campaign, where she won just one match in two tournaments.

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