At Roland Garros, 18-year-old American Iva Jović encountered a familiar tennis figure heading towards the locker room. The person was none other than Novak Djokovic, Serbia’s 24-time Grand Slam champion, who has taken on a mentor role for Jović. Her parents are also Serbian, and Djokovic was eager to know about her progress since their initial training in Australia. He was curious about her preparations for the French Open and took a moment to share some tactical insights with her.
“He was just like, ‘Hey, great job. How are you liking the clay?'” Jović recalled during an interview at the French Open. The advice, mostly tactical, remained confidential as Jović intends to discuss it further with Djokovic later.
In her second-round match against Emma Navarro, Jović executed a methodical strategy. She applied pressure by targeting the corners, dictating the match with a scoreline of 6-0, 6-3. Despite both young players being on a similar journey, their paths differ. Jović has quickly mastered controlled aggression, while Navarro continues to refine her approach to become less defensive.
Navarro’s journey includes ongoing health challenges, which have impacted her performance. Last season, she started a tennis overhaul to become more proactive on the court. However, her progress led to inconsistent results, and she faced early exits at several tournaments despite gaining recognition and sponsorship deals.
This year, Navarro decided to prioritize her health. She took a break, allowing herself to reconnect with family and friends. During her time away from the rigorous tour schedule, she adjusted her training routine to suit her personal needs. This shift enabled her to return refreshed.
Though Navarro struggled initially on her comeback, she found success at the Strasbourg International, winning the title by defeating top-ranked players including Jović and Victoria Mboko. Her play style showed elements of her original steady baseline performance and strategic shot-making.
Emma Navarro’s return represents a more composed style, but still includes her signature resilience in matches, often prevailing in three sets.
On the other hand, Jović has made significant strides in her game. Working alongside her coach, Tom Gutteridge, since age 14, Jović is learning to embrace aggressiveness. Gutteridge stated in an interview that she has immense potential yet to be realized.
“The mentality is just to never hold back,” commented Gutteridge. They focus on maintaining aggressive play, applying constant pressure, and diversifying her strategies. They’ve worked on her ability to adjust rhythm and incorporate dropshots, opening up the court strategically.
Jović’s willingness to adapt has paid off. “I always played aggressive,” she explained. “Now there’s no time to wait for the perfect shot. It’s about having urgency at this level.” She has accepted that immediate assertiveness is crucial in higher-level play.