ALL ENGLAND CLUB, London — As Iva Jović dismantled Tatjana Maria, the grass-court savant, to reach the Wimbledon third round, it would have been easy to wonder why the American looks like such a natural on a tennis court that is far from the norm in the U.S..
Jović didn't play on grass at all growing up in Los Angeles, but the way she stays so low, and sends groundstrokes that thud across the turf and out of her opponents' reach, has made her very much at home on a surface that can drive even the most accomplished players crazy.
Only 18, but ranked No. 16 and rising fast, Jović beat last year's Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova on her way to the semifinals of Queen's, a prestigious grass warm-up event, a few weeks ago. She thrashed Maria, the 2025 champion at Queen's and a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2022, 6-1, 6-2 on Wednesday.
Her secret? A youth spent playing soccer, for her local team in LA.
"It was so helpful," Jović said during an interview at the All England Club.
Jović didn't play on grass at all growing up in Los Angeles, but the way she stays so low, and sends groundstrokes that thud across the turf and out of her opponents' reach, has made her very much at home on a surface that can drive even the most accomplished players crazy.
Only 18, but ranked No. 16 and rising fast, Jović beat last year's Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova on her way to the semifinals of Queen's, a prestigious grass warm-up event, a few weeks ago. She thrashed Maria, the 2025 champion at Queen's and a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2022, 6-1, 6-2 on Wednesday.
Her secret? A youth spent playing soccer, for her local team in LA.
"It was so helpful," Jović said during an interview at the All England Club.
2 months ago
