Iva Jovic enjoyed a breakout season on the Tour this year, and now one of her goals for the 2026 season is to get a crack at none other than world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Jovic, who is 17 years old, started 2025 ranked at No. 191 in the world. Between April and September, the rising American won three titles in three different categories - ITF Charlottesville (April), WTA 125/Challenger Ilkley (June), WTA 500 Guadalajara (September). As a reward, the American teenager improved more than 150 spots and finished the season as the 35th-ranked player in the world.
In the last couple of months of the season, Jovic had a chance to meet some notable names and her biggest win came against world No. 13 Linda Noskova, whom she thrashed 6-3 6-0 in Cincinnati. The 17-year-old also faced 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina at the Australian Open, and two-time Grand Slam winner Barbora Krejcikova in Cincinnati.
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Jovic wants to meet Sabalenka: That would be an unbelievable matchup
"Looking to 2026, who is one player you really want to face on the Tour?" the interviewer asked the rising star.
The 17-year-old responded: "I'm gonna say Sabalenka. No. 1 in the world. I think that would be an unbelievable matchup. It would be a lot of fun just to see what it is all about and how it feels to be on the other side of the net of something against a player like that."
Sabalenka made three Grand Slam finals this year and finished as the Year-End No. 1 for the second year in a row.
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Since Jovic is ranked at No. 35, she won't have issues entering any tournament she wants. That makes her Sabalenka wish very realistic.
