The teenage sensation takes on the world No.1 in the Australian Open quarter-finals.
Team USA are well and truly making themselves heard at Australian Open 2026 with plenty of players still in the title conversation Down Under.
Truly dedicated tennis fans would have watched Iva Jovic play, however, the American teenager has now shot to global stardom this fortnight. How far can she go?
It’s not the fact that the 18-year-old has skyrocketed into a maiden Grand Slam quarter-final, it’s the manner of her major breakout.
Piercing, clattering shots and a ruthless streak have seen Jovic dismiss compatriot Katie Volynets 6-2, 6-3 and then Australian Priscilla Hon 6-1, 6-2. Into the Last 32 and there was a true statement made by dispatching world No.8 Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 7-6(3), to earn her first Top-10 triumph.
“It’s difficult, especially at a Slam. There are a lot of people and a lot of things outside the tennis with all the media and the fans and everything. So it's kind of hard to get back down-to-earth,” admitted the headstrong world No.27.
“I think I just tried to focus on the next match and reset as best as I could, knowing that there is still a lot more work to be done.”
Jovic, the youngest player in the WTA Top 100, reset in style. Into the Last 16 on Sunday and she dropped just one game in a brutal 6-0, 6-1 demolition of Yulia Putintseva, a match that lasted just 53 minutes.
“It feels great. I definitely exceeded my hopes and expectations for this tournament, so hopefully I can keep the winning going,” added the American, who is yet to drop a set at AO 2026.
"I imagine myself in these situations a lot, that’s just how my brain works. I think I've built up that confidence. I know how hard I'm working, I don't think there's a lot of women out there that are doing more than I am.
“I know it’s going to pay off eventually, so I just try to trust that work and dedication. Moments like this make it all worth it.”
Take it back to the US Open 2024 and Jovic received a wildcard, as a reward for winning the USTA's U18 National Championships at aged 16. The teenage prodigy recorded her first ever WTA level win over Magda Linette, the youngest American woman to prevail in a US Open main draw match since 2000.
The ‘youngest to’ accolades just kept on coming.
Last season at Roland-Garros, gaining entry by winning the USTA’s Roland-Garros Wild Card Challenge, she ousted Renata Zarazua, but was denied by major winner Elena Rybakina for the second successive major.
Jovic qualified for a Wimbledon debut and lifted her first WTA title at the Guadalajara Open to crack the Top 40 by September.
That form transferred into 2026, with a semi-final showing in Auckland and then runner-up spot in Hobart just prior to mesmerising at Melbourne Park.
“I don't really feel like there is a lot of house money or underdog mentality, because I don't feel like I have been playing anything outside of my comfort zone or outside of my normal level,” said the self-assured 18-year-old.
“I have come from two other tournaments where I was playing every day and winning a lot of matches, as well. So this week and the level that I'm showing right now doesn't really feel much different than that.
“I think I have improved a lot throughout the offseason, and this is just the level that I feel like I've gotten my base level a bit higher. Hopefully I can just maintain that every day.”
When Aryna Sabalenka was capturing a second Australian Open title in 2024, Jovic was partnering with Tyra Caterina Grant for glory at Melbourne Park too in the girls’ doubles draw. Two years on and Jovic must overcome the top seed in the Elite 8.
“Big smile on my face. It’s obviously going to be a very tough match, she is where she is for a reason. She’s also been a big inspiration for me and a lot of young players. It will be a bit of a crazy moment to play against her for the first time,” stated the Stateside star.
“I'm just excited. I'm in the quarters, which is amazing for me. You know you're going to play one of the best players at this stage of the tournament. That's what you want.
“But I know where my game is at, I definitely think I can do it. I’m just going to go out there and battle.”
Women’s draw
Sabalenka (1) vs Jovic (29)
Gauff (3) vs Svitolina (12)
Pegula (6) vs Anisimova (4)
Rybakina (5) vs Swiatek (2)
Men’s draw
Alcaraz (1) vs de Minaur (6)
Zverev (3) vs Tien (25)
Musetti (5) vs Djokovic (4)
Shelton (8) vs Sinner (2)
ROLAND-GARROS
18 May - 7 June 2026
