Jovic received ‘attentive tips’ from Djokovic ahead of hitting Grand Slam ‘milestone’
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Teenage star Iva Jovic said “attentive tips” from Novak Djokovic aided her to victory over No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini in the Australian Open third round. Speaking on court following her second-round win against Priscilla Hon on Wednesday, Jovic revealed that 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic is her “big inspiration”, alongside fellow tennis great Monica Seles.
And in her post-match press conference on Friday, Jovic said she had managed to speak to Djokovic ahead of her match against Paolini, in which she secured the biggest upset victory of her career so far – triumphing 6-2 7-6(3) in a high-quality battle and continuing her remarkable rise.
“Yeah, actually I spoke to Novak yesterday a little bit,” the No. 29 seed said. “So it was pretty incredible. He gave me some very attentive tips for my game and something I can try to incorporate into this match that I just played.
“So that was one of the things in the forefront of my mind, because I think when Novak gives you some advice, you follow it.”
Asked specifically about the advice she received, Jovic replied: “Yeah, it was just to open up the court a little bit better, to not rush into the shots all the time, find some more width.
Iva Jovic – Jasmine Paolini – Australian Open highlights
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“So I tried to do that, and it ended well. So I’m just going to try to keep listening to Novak.”
Jovic also praised Djokovic’s personality away from the cameras, and that while for some, meeting their “idol” can be anti-climactic, her experience was anything but.
“Yeah, it’s pretty insane,” Jovic said. “You always think about those moments where you’re going to meet your idols a little bit, and I think, sometimes, for certain people it can be a little bit deflating if they are maybe not as nice or as open as you anticipated.
“I think that happens a lot of times, where you kind of see, ‘Oh, wow, that’s definitely not how it looks like on TV.’ I think he’s almost even kinder and even more attentive outside the cameras than what he’s portrayed.
“It was amazing. I mean, he’s so intelligent and smart and really wants to help the younger generation. So I’m really grateful to have that advice. Hopefully I’ll speak with him more and listen to his advice.”
Reaching the fourth round in Melbourne marks the deepest run 18-year-old Jovic has made in a major tournament so far in her career.
She completed the feat in altogether impressive style – snatching three consecutive breaks off Paolini from the off.
Jovic looked in control as she served for the match after regaining her break advantage in the second set before a late Paolini surge forced the tie-break. However, by suffocating the Italian’s serve, the American showcased great maturity in seeing out the victory in less than two hours.
American teenage ace Jovic reveals Djokovic, Seles inspiration after second-round win
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She clinched her first WTA Tour level title in Guadalajara last year and was knocked out of the US Open via a straight-sets defeat to Paolini in the second round. She said reaching the second week of the Australian Open is a “milestone” for her career.
“A lot of ups and downs,” Jovic said, reflecting on her performance. “Definitely had to hold my serve a little bit at the end, getting broken so close to winning. So I’m just glad I was able to get it done in straights, and obviously, to be in the second week for the first time is a milestone for me. So I’m happy.”
Jovic will face Yulia Putintseva in the fourth round after the 31-year-old came through a difficult test against Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez, during which she contended with a “disrespectful” crowd.Stream every match of the 2026 Australian Open live and on-demand on discovery+