Iva Jovic challenges Sabalenka: "I will have to do my homework, but I trust my level up to now"

Carlos Navarro | 25 Jan 2026 | 18.47

Jovic is already in the quarterfinals... and doesn't want to stop here. Source: Getty

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Iva Jovic continues to leave the tennis world speechless. We have already talked about her here, recounting the spectacular story of her family and her progression. After securing what could be the best victory of her - still short - sports career against Jasmine Paolini in the third round of the 2026 Australian Open, the young prodigy followed that joy with a resounding victory over Yulia Putintseva, allowing her opponent to win only one game on her way to her first Grand Slam quarterfinals.

Now, the mountain becomes much steeper. Aryna Sabalenka, the top favorite to conquer the title and the world number one, looms on the horizon. This test will serve as a benchmark to assess Jovic's courage and level in major tournaments. If the American is known for something, it is not fearing such challenges, albeit without backing down in each test that has served as a level up. As she herself expresses in the press conference, she is determined that this time will be no different... although what she has achieved so far certainly gives her several reasons to be very proud of herself.

Iva Jovic expresses her belief that she can defeat Sabalenka and explains how she has progressed as a player and person in the last twelve months

- Mental reset after perhaps the biggest victory of her career against Paolini to reach the second week of a Slam

"It's tough, especially in a Slam. There are a lot of people, many off-court things you encounter like the media, fans, everything. It's hard to get your feet back on the ground. I tried to focus on the next match and reset as best as I could, knowing that there is still a lot of work to do. I am happy to have returned to a neutral situation and to have prepared myself to play at my best level today."

- A super-aggressive style, constantly dominating from the baseline. How far back does this playing approach date?

"I would say my father, mainly, was the first one to teach me to play this way. He showed me the tennis style he wanted me to play. He's not just a regular coach, so to speak, but he instilled the right mindset in me: to play with the best intentions, dominate, which I believe is what leads to long-term success. I am very grateful to my father for that (smiles)."

- In the quarterfinals unexpectedly, being an 'underdog.' Do you see it that way? Do you play without pressure, or do you feel it increasing?

"Honestly, I don't see it that way. I don't feel like there's an underdog mentality or anything of that sort because I don't believe I'm playing at a level that's outside of my comfort zone or my usual standard. I come from two tournaments where I played every day and won many matches: this week and the level I'm showing right now don't feel much different from both. It's just another week where I'm winning more matches, which is fantastic. I've improved a lot this preseason, and I've raised my baseline level. I hope to maintain it every day."

- Next challenge: Aryna Sabalenka. To what extent can you learn from Mboko's performance, your doubles partner this week, in the second set, where she pushed it to a tiebreak?

"I haven't seen much of that match because I was preparing and warming up at the same time. I'll have to do some research. There are no secrets; she is the world number one, there are plenty of videos and opportunities to see what she usually does. I'm excited. I'm in the quarterfinals, which is already incredible. I'm going to face one of the best in the world, which is what you always want. I'm going to trust the level I've shown so far... and hopefully, it will be enough (smiles)."

- A year ago, you faced Elena Rybakina in the John Cain Arena. How much has Iva Jovic changed since then?

"I have improved a lot and evolved as a player and person since that moment. That day, I got my butt kicked a bit (laughs), it was a wake-up call. I've done a good job turning all those defeats into positive things, being able to learn from them. I am in much better physical shape, much stronger, and my tennis now has more versatility. I have to thank my coach, Tom, for that. He has done a great job guiding me, and my physio team, Integralis, with whom I've worked, have made me a physically stronger player. I have a great team around me, which helps me be better."

- Communication with your father, Serbian, integral part in your arrival on the circuit and fundamental reason for being here

"He is one of my biggest fans. He believes in me like no one else. He always thinks I can win, no matter who I'm up against or how big the match is. I'm fortunate to have a family that not only sees me as a tennis player but also wants me to be happy. That's their ultimate goal. They want me to play tennis because I enjoy it, not because they want me to be a big star. My father has to work these days; work always comes first, so he went back home. He was here for my first match and also in Hobart the previous week."

- What have you learned from your first major experience in a Slam?

"It's fantastic. I've learned that I am very resilient, that I know I can rely on myself and on all the work I've been doing lately. I've had great results recently; I've been doing very well since last year, but it's always at the Slams where you want to shine. Having reached this point in a tournament like the Australian Open confirms to me that I belong at the highest level of this sport and hopefully, I can be consistent in achieving these kinds of results."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Iva Jovic reta a Sabalenka: "Tendré que hacer los deberes, pero confío en mi nivel hasta ahora"

Iva Jovic