Soccer Skills Propel Teen to Wimbledon Glory

Eighteen-year-old Iva Jovic has demonstrated remarkable talent on the grass courts of Wimbledon, reaching the third round. Her success is notably attributed to her prior experience playing soccer in Los Angeles, a sport that significantly influenced her footwork and agility.

Jovic's soccer training provided her with the necessary skills for quick directional changes and maintaining a low stance, proving advantageous on grass. This foundation has allowed her to excel on a surface she didn't play growing up, with her impressive movement and groundstrokes thudding across the turf.

Before her Wimbledon success, Jovic reached the semifinals of Queen's, a warm-up event, and defeated last year's finalist Amanda Anisimova. She continued her strong performance by beating Tatjana Maria, a former Queen's champion and Wimbledon semifinalist, in a decisive 6-1, 6-2 match.

Jovic officially switched her focus to tennis around age 13. Despite this, she maintains a strong connection to soccer, often kicking a ball with her coach and listing soccer as her favorite surface even before this season. Her current record on grass stands at an impressive 13-2.

Novak Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, has served as a mentor, offering guidance on hydration and nutrition. Jovic also draws support from a diverse team, including a British coach, a German physio, and a Brazilian hitting partner, reflecting her international background with a Serbian father and Croatian mother.

Fellow American players like Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula have praised Jovic's game. Pegula noted that Jovic absorbs pace well and changes direction effectively, while acknowledging her serve is improving. Tracy Austin, a two-time U.S. Open champion, highlighted Jovic's consistency, competitive spirit, and accurate backhand.