ROLAND GARROS

May 28, 2026

Iva Jovic

Press Conference

I. JOVIC/E. Navarro

6-0, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. Through to the next round. The score might look quite as an easy game, but how did you feel on court, and how do you evaluate your game today?

IVA JOVIC: Yeah, I think I played well in the tight moments in the games, and obviously the scoreline is favoring me well, but it wasn't necessarily realistic to how all the games were played out. I think I just played the right way in the bigger points.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You look completely composed out there the way you're moving through the draw. It is your first third round here, but obviously you had the deep run in Melbourne. When your name comes up as the youngest since in statistics, how do you stay so grounded, and who helps you with that?

IVA JOVIC: I think my entire team is pretty good with just not focusing on those things and just thinking about the tennis and what I need to improve and what I need to get better.

Ultimately, I know I'm going to be a really good player if I can keep working and improving on the things I need to work on, right, so that's the most important. Then whatever statistic I reach or don't reach, it's just going to be an end result of that.

Q. You obviously met your idol, Novak, in Melbourne and I believe you have since met him again. If there's one quality or attribute from him you wish you could use on your own journey, what would that be?

IVA JOVIC: I think it would be the growth mindset that he's had. He's a completely different player than when he was at the start of his career, technically, tactically, everything.

So to be able to improve that much when you're playing every week is incredible. Not being kind of stubborn in your ways, making changes, making improvements, is very important. So I hope I can keep that kind of open-minded mentality and be able to make changes, even though you're competing all the time.

Q. Was there any element of being starstruck when you met him, or it just felt completely natural?

IVA JOVIC: Obviously, I think it's starstruck. Everything is starstruck here (smiling). It's starstruck to be here, right? Maybe one day I'll wake up and it will all sink in (smiling).

Q. Talking about another all-time great, apparently Serena Williams is going to come back, we've already heard. You're a different generation. Wonder what your thoughts of her are, being from a different generation, and what you think it means for tennis that she's coming back, tennis in general, women's tennis, if you like.

IVA JOVIC: I think it's amazing. I just saw the confirmation on my phone a couple hours ago. It's really cool. I have never seen Serena in real life. Obviously I grew up watching her. In my entire childhood she was dominating tennis, so it's going to be incredible.

I think it's really good for the sport. I think it's going to make a lot of headlines and it's something that people are going to talk about. I'm looking forward to it and I think it's very positive.

Q. I believe you've got Naomi next, fourth round.

IVA JOVIC: Yes.

Q. Have you played her before, and if not, what do you make of that matchup?

IVA JOVIC: Never played her before. Obviously seen her play a ton, but no, never even practiced with her, so it will be a little bit unknown for both of us.

Obviously one of the cleanest ball strikers on tour. She has great offense, so hopefully I cannot let her, you know, strike and do what she can do very well. Hopefully I can make her a bit uncomfortable.

It's going to be a battle. Yeah, let's see. Hopefully I can just keep the level up.

Q. Actually, Naomi was saying that she likes the heat and she actually wants it to be hotter. Jannik Sinner doesn't look like he's enjoying the heat. He's struggling, and other players have struggled. Do you enjoy playing in really hot conditions or if you find them difficult?

IVA JOVIC: I mean, I think it's difficult for everyone. Obviously nobody, you know, wants to be playing when it's super hot and everyone is sweating a ton. I have gotten much better with it earlier in my career. I can't even say that much long ago, but still, earlier I would struggle more.

I have been training a lot in humid, hot conditions and making some changes with my own habits to help me. So so far this year has been pretty good with the heat.