Novak Djokovic Becomes Personal Mentor for Teen Sensation Iva Jovic at Australian Open
In a remarkable revelation that has captured the tennis world's attention, 18-year-old American rising star Iva Jovic disclosed that tennis legend Novak Djokovic served as her personal advisor throughout the Australian Open tournament. The Serbian superstar, holder of a record 24 Grand Slam titles, provided crucial tips and guidance to the young player during her impressive run at the opening major of the 2026 season.
Building a Special Tennis Relationship
During a post-match press conference, Jovic shared the extraordinary details of her developing relationship with Djokovic. "He did text me with some more tips throughout the rounds," the teenager revealed, expressing her gratitude for the unexpected mentorship. "We've been in communication and I feel like we've built a little bit of a relationship now, which is amazing."
The young American, who has Balkan roots despite being born in the United States, grew up idolizing Djokovic. She described how the tennis icon's advice specifically helped her prepare for her third-round match against Jasmine Paolini, which resulted in Jovic's first career victory over a top-10 ranked player.
Djokovic's Impact on Jovic's Game Strategy
Jovic elaborated on how Djokovic's guidance extended beyond simple encouragement. The Serbian champion offered strategic insights that helped shape Jovic's approach to key matches, particularly noting his ability to balance offensive and defensive play as something she aspires to emulate in her own career.
"I would like to be a Djokovic kind of player one day," Jovic confessed, highlighting how the mentorship has influenced her professional aspirations. She expressed hope for continued guidance throughout the year, saying "Hopefully throughout the year I can keep having more moments with him and encouragement."
Jovic's Breakthrough Australian Open Performance
The mentorship coincided with Jovic's most successful Grand Slam performance to date. Her Australian Open journey included:
- A dominant 6-0, 6-1 victory over Yulia Putintseva in the round of 16
- A quarterfinal appearance where she faced world number one Aryna Sabalenka
- An overall 11-3 record for the 2026 season leading into the tournament
This outstanding performance has propelled Jovic into the world's top 20 for the first time in her career, with the teenager set to debut at number 20 when the new rankings are released. Her Australian Open success followed strong showings in earlier tournaments, including a semifinal appearance in Auckland and a runner-up finish in Hobart.
The Significance of Cross-Generation Mentorship
This developing relationship between tennis's established legend and emerging talent represents a heartwarming example of cross-generation mentorship in professional sports. Djokovic's willingness to guide a younger player demonstrates the Serbian champion's commitment to nurturing the next generation of tennis stars.
Jovic's appreciation for the guidance was palpable throughout her comments. "It's been amazing," she repeated, emphasizing how the unexpected mentorship has impacted both her performance and her perspective on professional tennis. The young American's breakthrough tournament, combined with Djokovic's personal involvement, creates a compelling narrative about the future of women's tennis and the importance of experienced champions supporting rising stars.
