HSBC CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 10, 2026

Iva Jovic

Queens Club

Press Conference

I. JOVIC/A. Eala

6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Iva, it looked like a pretty clinical win for you today. How did you feel out on the court?

IVA JOVIC: I think I did a good job today of just taking care of the basics, holding on to my serve almost every game, and just returning well. So when those two things are going good, then it's usually good results on the grass.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. On your WTA profile, you said that your favorite surface is grass. Can you explain why? Especially as an American player, it always shocks me when the American players like clay or grass. What is it about it that you like?

IVA JOVIC: I actually didn't know that that's what it said on my profile. Yeah, I love the grass. I mean, this is my third year now doing the grass court stint. I have always been winning a lot of matches here, and I think I just naturally play in a way that suits the grass.

That didn't come from playing on the grass growing up, but somehow that's how it ended up. I stay pretty low, which helps, as well, on the grass. So I think just some things that I naturally do are the ones that are beneficial on this surface.

Q. I watched both your matches yesterday and today. I wondered about things like mental toughness, because you're still very young. That's something that often comes as you get older and get more matches under your belt. Can you tell me a little bit about that.

IVA JOVIC: I think I definitely have kind of the fighting spirit and the competitiveness. So whenever I step on the court, I want to win and I want to fight on every single point. So that's always there.

But in some matches, a little bit more experience and just how to manage moments is something I'm still learning, and hopefully that comes with more and more years on the tour.

I think I have the natural fighting spirit, and then I just need to keep getting more experience so I can, you know, manage moments better when it gets 4-All, 5-All in the third, things like this.

Q. Can I just ask you finally how this tournament, which is new, obviously, how it prepares you for something like Wimbledon with not just the grass but the atmosphere, as well?

IVA JOVIC: Yeah, I think this is a great preparation. It's quite a big stadium, lots of people, so you get to feel that energy. Also, the weather has been a bit tricky, but that's something you get at Wimbledon a lot too. So you need to be able to start, stop, and be adaptable with things like that. So far it's been a very good preparation.

Again, I just want to play as many matches as I can on this surface leading up to Wimbledon, so it's nice to keep winning and getting more matches.

Q. You're good friends with Alex, so firstly, do you find it easy to put your friendship to one side and just compete? Secondly, do you recall when you first met her and what you sort of first bonded over?

IVA JOVIC: For me, it's not that difficult when I play a friend. I think we're all used to it at this point. We have had to do it for many years now.

But, you know, as I said before, I wish we could play at later stage of the tournaments, so hopefully when both of our rankings go up, we will be on other sides of the brackets until semis or finals.

But, you know, there is no bad blood. We were just talking in the locker room. It's all good. We're back to being friends now off the court (smiling).

The first time I met her, saw her, was the junior US Open, the year that she won it. I played doubles against her, against her and Mirra, and we got killed. That was the first time I met her, and she's been a very nice person ever since. Last year I got to know her much better.

Q. I was also talking to Alex about being homesick on the road, what you do to bring your culture on the road with you. So what do you do as a Californian or Croatian/Serbian, whatever culture you feel homesick for when you're in London?

IVA JOVIC: Great question. I have a lot of my family here in London actually from my dad's side. They live here. I go out to dinner with them. I see them. They come and support me in the matches. That's really nice.

Yeah, I mean, my mom's here, so obviously we keep our routines and we speak the language. Culturally, you know, that is kind of still in me, but I would say just seeing the family around here.

California, I don't know. Maybe I miss the beach a little bit, but other than that, I'm doing okay. It's nice when I have the European side of me so I don't get super homesick when I'm here in Europe, and I have family pretty much everywhere where I go, so that's nice.

Q. I don't know if you watched Serena yesterday or if you had a chance to see Serena around the place?

IVA JOVIC: Yeah, I watched not all of it but I watched a good bit of it, as much as I had time to. I have to say it looked like some pretty good tennis from Serena. She hit I think a 120 serve, and it was a good level. That's not an easy team that they beat.

Looks like she's feeling sharp. I think she will be back on the singles court very soon, as well. It's exciting. She's looking really good. I think it's going to be some good results for her.

Q. Have you spoken to her at all?

IVA JOVIC: I haven't, actually. I'm a bit nervous, but hopefully I get to chat with her a little bit at some point during this comeback. It would be incredible. I mean, just seeing her is an inspiration. I can't imagine. I don't know how she's doing what she's doing.

Q. This is your first time at Queen's. What has the experience been like for you? What does it mean to be a part of this new WTA history?

IVA JOVIC: It's really nice. Obviously it's a really nice tournament. I had kind of the assumption that it's a really nice tournament, because I heard really great things from the guys' side.

But to have it as a women's event now I think is really special, and it is a great step for women's tennis. Ultimately, all of the female players, we want as much eyes on the sport and growth for the sport. We think that that's what we deserve, as well.

It's amazing to be taking those steps in the right direction. And massive thank you to Queen's and everyone who is organizing the tournament for taking that step and supporting us.

Q. When England play Croatia, who will you be supporting?

IVA JOVIC: Oh, tricky. My coach is British, and I am in England, so I'll probably go with England. Yeah.