Iva Jovic has emerged as one of the most promising talents in American tennis and her brilliant start to 2026 has done nothing to dispute that.
Jovic reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, which helped her crack the top 20 of the WTA Tour for the first time.
The American teenager has now reached the last eight of the Charleston Open, where she will play Anna Kalinskaya.
Ahead of the clash, Jovic has opened up about playing some of the best players on the WTA Tour and what she struggles with most.
Iva Jovic shares the difficulties of facing the WTA elite
Jovic came up against world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open quarter-finals, which she lost comprehensively in straight sets.
The young American was provided a reality check from Sabalenka, and she made a note of what she must improve in order to challenge the WTA Tour’s very best.
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Speaking to The Tennis Channel, Jovic said: “I think a little bit of this, some tactical and mental adjustments. A lot of the girls who are ruling the sport right now are big hitters.
“They don’t give you a lot of rhythm and so far, I’ve struggled with that because I’m more the player who works the point. And I’m not that tall, so I’m still kind of finding my way against those types of players.”
Jovic is, however, very confident that she can challenge the best female players on the WTA Tour currently.
“But thankfully, I’m young, I have a lot of time, and it’s getting better,” she explained. “That’s kind of a matchup that I personally need to get better with.
“And it’s break hold tennis at the top of the game, so you’ve got to be taking care of your serve. And then when you get your one look, you have to take it. So keep working on those serve plus one patterns.”
Jovic could join the WTA Tour top 15 if she lifts the trophy at the Charleston Open.
Iva Jovic’s impressive start to the WTA season
Prior to the Charleston Open, Jovic had already played seven tournaments in the first three months of the 2026 season.
The American has only suffered one first round exit, which came against Camila Osorio at Indian Wells, and she’s already racked up 17 victories.
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That includes a final appearance at the Hobart International, as well as a semi-final place at the ASB Classic.
It surely won’t be long before Jovic claims her first WTA title of the season and it could come as soon as Charleston.
Jovic will likely have to beat Jessica Pegula en route to the title, however, which will be her biggest career win to date.
