Teenage sensation Iva Jovic has responded with maturity beyond her years after being compared to two of the greatest players in tennis history, Monica Seles and Martina Hingis. This comparison came after her breakthrough performance at the Australian Open 2026.
Jovic enjoyed a dream run in Melbourne, producing a series of fearless displays that captured the imagination of fans worldwide. Her intelligent shot-making, court awareness, and calm temperament drew immediate parallels with former World No. 1s Seles and Hingis, both teenage prodigies who once dominated the sport.
Amid her preparation for her next tournament of the 2026 season, the 18-year-old sat for a conversation with Tennis Channel. Here, she opened up about the comparison, embracing it with humility and gratitude, admitting that she views herself as a student of the game.
“I love watching tennis; I’m probably one of the biggest viewers. The other day I stayed up until 3:00 in the morning watching the finals. I consider myself a student of tennis; I really enjoy learning how the game evolves,” said Iva Jovic.
She further spoke about regularly studying the past champions and spoke about her comparison with the two legends.
“I also watch some older tennis. I was told recently that my game is similar to Martina Hingis’s and Monica Seles’s, although I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m more like Hingis. You can always learn by watching the great champions, no matter how good you are.”
Her Australian Open run, where she advanced to the quarterfinal, marked a turning point in her younger career. Facing experienced and high-ranked opponents, Jovic showcased remarkable poise under pressure, earning her first deep Grand Slam run. She lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinal in Melbourne.
Iva Jovic Weighed in on Her Clash Against Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open
Iva Jovic locked horns with Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinal round of the Australian Open, where the world No. 1 produced a stunning performance, claiming a 6-3, 6-0 win. Following this upset, Jovic sat for a press conference, where she analyzed her match against the Belarusian. She said that she did not expect how the game would go and then praised her opponent, saying that she brought a different level to the game. (0:37 onwards)
