Naomi Osaka’s Ex-Coach Blasts Iva Jovic’s Critics Who Cited her Australian Open Comments as Arrogant
Iva Jovic ended her Australian Open campaign in the quarterfinals against Aryna Sabalenka.
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Naomi Osaka and Iva Jovic (via Sportskeeda)
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The Australian Open is never short on drama, but this week, the headlines aren’t just about forehands and drop shots. The tennis world finds itself in a heated debate over one name: Iva Jovic.
At just 18 years old, Jovic has found herself in the eye of a media storm. Her quarterfinal run in Melbourne was the stuff of dreams, but her exit—and the conversation surrounding her demeanor—has been anything but quiet. After being dismantled by world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the narrative shifted from her impressive tennis to her on-court attitude.
Thankfully, Jovic isn’t facing the firing squad alone. Enter Sascha Bajin. As the former coach of Naomi Osaka, Bajin knows a thing or two about nurturing young, explosive talent under the glare of the spotlight. He publicly shut down the critics, offering a perspective that only someone inside the locker room can truly understand. Bajin said on X:
I believe she was referring to her work ethic. Shes also backing it up with 8 wins this season. Even if you have an easy draw, you still gotta use it first. I don’t think this came across as arrogance. If you don’t believe in yourself why are you even trying..?
I believe she was referring to her work ethic. Shes also backing it up with 8 wins this season. Even if you have an easy draw, you still gotta use it first. I dont think this came across as arrogance. If you don’t believe in yourself why are you even trying..?
— sascha Bajin (@BigSascha) January 26, 2026
Following her defeat, the internet did what it does best: it critiqued. Commentators and fans alike took to social media to label the American teenager “too arrogant,” suggesting that her confidence was bordering on delusion, given the heavy loss she had just sustained. The criticism implies that she should “know her place” until she has the trophies to back up the talk.
When does confidence become “Too Much”?
In the days leading up to the loss, Iva Jovic had been vocal. She was bold in her press conferences and expressive on the court. In a sport that often clings to traditional ideas of “quiet humility,” her behavior rubbed some traditionalists the wrong way.
However, after his win over Alex de Minaur, Carlos Alcaraz was in a pretty confident mood in the press conference. So much so, he said that his semifinal opponent, Alexander Zverev, would need to sweat to get past him.
When Novak Djokovic was a teenager, he went to the limit of saying that Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros is beatable. It looked to be a deluded comment, but he proved it in 2015 and 2021.
The burden of the next generation
This isn’t the first time the fans have seen this script play out. The comparisons are already flying. The fans saw it with Coco Gauff, who had to grow up in public while navigating massive expectations. They saw it with Emma Raducanu after her US Open victory, where every loss was scrutinized as a failure of character.
Jovic is now walking that same tightrope. The Australian Open was her breakout moment, but it was also her introduction to the harsh reality of the 24-hour news cycle.
The criticism regarding her “attitude” might actually be a sign that she has the “X Factor.” Passive players rarely make history. The players who change the game are usually the ones who aren’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers along the way.
The loss to Aryna Sabalenka will likely serve as fuel. There is no better teacher than a defeat at the hands of the World No. 1. Jovic will need to refine her game, certainly, but she will also need to learn how to manage the noise.
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