Tennis
Sixteen-Year-Old Iva Jovic Makes Winning Debut at US Open – Tennis Panorama
(August 26, 2024) FLUSHING, NY – Iva Jovic, at 16-years-old became the youngest American to win a main-draw match at the US Open since 2000, beatiing No. 40 in the world and 2023 Australian Open semifinalist Magda Linette of Poland 6-4, 6-3 on Monday to reach the second round.
“Surprised, but not surprised,” Jovic said about the victory.
“I just had a plan about what I was going to do before we started, and there weren’t that many needs for crazy adjustments, because it was going well,” Jovic said to media. “So just kind of sticking to that.”
Having played US Open juniors, Jovic was used the the tournament atmosphere.. “It felt very comfortable in this atmosphere.” she said. “I was ready.”
Jovic, won the USTA 18-and-nder US Girls’ Championships which enabled her to get an automatic wild card entry into the US Open, will still play the junior event at the US Open later in the tournament.
Jovic grew up participating in a many sports, including soccer, gymnastics and swimming but moved into tennis as her older sister played. She began playingon courts built on top an apartment complex in Torrance, California where the family lived.
Admittedly since she is of Serbian desecent, her favorite male player is Novak Djokovic and her favorite female player is Belinda Bencic. “I love Djokovic and I love Belinda. I love how she plays.”
What does she like about Djiokovic? Do I need to say, she said. “We all know how great he is and Belinda, hits the ball so early and her footwork is very cutting the angles, She just makes he opponents feel suffocated. I think that what I would like to try to do.”
She says that does have sort of a selfie with Djokovic but technically has not met him
“I want to be the best that I can be,” Jovic admitted was her goal. “Just get better every day, honestly. Just keep working. I’m on a good path, but there’s a lot more to do.”
She considers her greatest strengths “On the ground I move well and I apply good pressure, I’d like to improver the first strike element, to be able to punch through opponents really quickly in the points.”
Jovic will play in the second round on Wednesday.
Karen Pestaina for Tennis Panorama News
Notebook: Greg Joseph, Jude McAtamney compete for Giants’ kicker role
Giants’ Malik Nabers & Dru Phillips Land on Prestigious Rookie List
Knicks Have One of the Worst Contracts: Former NBA Exec
Through two games, Giants offensive line has shown some improvement
Feds subpoena Brooklyn church over possible business dealings between former Adams chief of staff and monsignor: Sources
Knicks News: Mikal Bridges Puts Josh Hart’s “Undefeated” Streak at Stake, Makes Bold Promise to NY Fans
Ranking the Knicks’ eight most important players this season | Sporting News
Josh Hart Brings Winning Energy to Knicks
Preview: New York Red Bulls vs. Atlanta United – prediction, team news, lineups
