Iva Jovic is quickly drawing comparisons to Coco Gauff after another impressive week on the WTA Tour. The 18-year-old American successfully defended her Guadalajara Open title without dropping a set, becoming the first repeat singles champion in tournament history and climbing to a career-high No. 13 in the world.
Jovic’s latest breakthrough has also caught the attention of former Grand Slam champions Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters, who believe the teenager’s development is beginning to resemble the kind of growth seen in Gauff during her early years on tour.
Iva Jovic’s Maturity Brings Coco Gauff to Mind
Speaking on the Served Podcast, Roddick said he is “very high” on Jovic, while Clijsters pointed to the teenager’s maturity as one of the first things that stood out to her.
“I think the first time that stood out for me, prior to the BJK Cup against Belgium in Belgium, is her maturity on court. I think, for a player of her age, I think she’s so mature,” Clijsters said.
Clijsters then brought up Gauff while discussing the physical development required to compete at such a young age. She noted that Gauff was already fit and strong as a 15- or 16-year-old, but was particularly impressed by how much stronger Jovic has become.
“To see, physically, how much stronger she has gotten. To see how she’s improved, that is something that Iva Jovic will take a lot away from. Will keep building towards it as well,” Clijsters said.
The comparison carries added weight because Jovic is now showing the kind of physical consistency needed to compete week after week. Roddick recalled that two years ago, she did not necessarily look ready for the demands of the professional tour.
“She’s now able to do it week in week out. She seems like a total adult in the room,” Roddick said.
Jovic Has Plenty More Room to Improve
Jovic’s Guadalajara run offered another glimpse of that development. She defeated Zeynep Sönmez, Magdalena Fręch, Cristina Bucsa and Peyton Stearns without dropping a set, beating Stearns 6-4, 6-2 in the final.
Clijsters highlighted Jovic’s ability to stay on top of the baseline, move effectively from side to side and maintain consistent pressure during rallies. She also believes the American can continue getting fitter and stronger, while improving her serve.
Roddick agreed that there is no obvious technical deficiency holding Jovic back, although he acknowledged that her serve can still improve.
“She has everything to become really, really good. Very, very fun player to watch,” Clijsters said.
