ALL ENGLAND CLUB, London — Iva Jović delivered an impressive performance against Tatjana Maria, a grass-court veteran, to secure a spot in the Wimbledon third round. Despite having no experience on grass courts while growing up in Los Angeles, Jović’s ability to maintain a low stance and deliver powerful groundstrokes has made her excel on this challenging surface.
At just 18, and currently ranked No. 16, Jović is gaining attention rapidly. She recently defeated Amanda Anisimova, last year’s Wimbledon finalist, to reach the semifinals of Queen’s, a respected grass-court warm-up event. Jović convincingly defeated Maria, the 2025 Queen’s champion and Wimbledon semifinalist in 2022, with a score of 6-1, 6-2.
Soccer’s Influence on Her Game
Jović attributes her success on grass partially to her years playing soccer for a local team in LA. She believes soccer’s footwork efficiency, involving quick direction changes and player dribbling, parallels tennis skills.
“Playing soccer was incredibly helpful,” Jović said during an interview. “The footwork involves many small, quick steps and sudden changes of direction, much like tennis.”
She played as a left-winger, using her mobility to find space and provide assists. This background has significantly contributed to her agility on grass courts.
Impressive Grass Court Record
Despite her lack of initial experience, Jović’s performance on grass courts has been noteworthy. She first claimed victory in a WTA 125 event on this surface in 2025, subsequently qualifying for Wimbledon. Her record on grass is now 13-2, and she’s aiming to improve this against Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Transition from Soccer to Tennis
At 13, Jović shifted focus from soccer to tennis, influenced by the pandemic and her soccer team’s increasing commitments. Yet, her love for soccer remains, and she keeps a ball with her to practice casually with her coach.
Jović follows the World Cup closely, backing the USMNT, and her diverse support team reflects her multicultural background, including a British coach, German physio, and Brazilian hitting partner. Her family, with origins in Serbia and Croatia, is spread across Europe.
Player Improvements and Mentorship
While skilled in grass movement, Jović has made strategic improvements to her game, working on her serve, hydration, and nutrition plans. Last year’s Wimbledon saw her struggle with heat, leading her to seek advice from Novak Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion.
“Novak is like a mentor,” she explained, emphasizing his guidance on nutrition and practice tips.
American tennis player Jessica Pegula recognizes Jović’s suitability for grass courts, noting her ability to absorb pace and change ball direction effectively. Tracy Austin, a former champion, highlights Jović’s competitive spirit and consistent performance as key strengths.
Future Aspirations
Jović’s ambitions include potentially attending the World Cup quarterfinal in LA. However, she acknowledges a potential clash with the Wimbledon final, humorously wishing to miss the soccer game to achieve tennis success.
“Hopefully I don’t make the game,” Jović commented, focusing on her Wimbledon goals.
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