Alex Eala is getting another chance to face a familiar opponent before the 2026 US Open officially gets underway.
And Filipino tennis fans already know that this one could be interesting.
Eala will face American rising star Iva Jovic during Stars of the Open 2026, a special exhibition event at Arthur Ashe Stadium during US Open Fan Week.
The two players are actually good friends away from the court.
On the court, however, Jovic has been one of Eala’s toughest young rivals.
The American has beaten Eala in both of their previous official meetings, including a straight-sets victory at Roland Garros and another convincing win at Queen’s Club earlier this season.
Now they meet again in New York.
This time, there are no ranking points on the line. Stars of the Open is only an exhibition, and its results will not count toward their official WTA head-to-head record.
Still, for Filipino fans, there is an obvious storyline:
Can the much-improved Alex Eala finally get the better of Iva Jovic?
Before the two friends face each other again, let’s get to know Alex Eala’s next opponent.
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Iva Jovic at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Iva Jovic |
| Country | United States |
| Birthdate | December 6, 2007 |
| Age | 18 |
| Birthplace | Torrance, California |
| Height | 5’8″ or 1.73 meters |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Current WTA ranking | World No. 14 |
| Career-high ranking | World No. 14 |
| First WTA title | Guadalajara Open 2025 |
| Best Grand Slam result | Australian Open quarterfinal, 2026 |
| Stars of the Open opponent | Alex Eala |
| Head-to-head vs. Eala | Jovic leads 2-0 in official matches |
Jovic enters Stars of the Open as World No. 14 in the WTA rankings released on August 24, 2026, while Eala is ranked World No. 18.
So this exhibition isn’t simply a meeting between two promising youngsters.
It is a matchup between two Top 20 players.
Who Is Iva Jovic?
Iva Jovic is one of the fastest-rising young players in American tennis.
She was born on December 6, 2007 in Torrance, California, and began playing tennis at around five years old.
According to her official WTA profile, Jovic is 5-foot-8, plays right-handed and is coached by Thomas Gutteridge. She lists Novak Djokovic and Belinda Bencic among her tennis idols and says grass is her favorite surface.
At just 18 years old, she has already:
- won a WTA 500 singles title,
- reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal,
- broken into the world’s Top 20,
- reached the fourth round of Wimbledon,
- beaten established Top 10 players,
- and become one of the young Americans being promoted as part of the future of women’s tennis.
Her rise has been quick.
At the end of 2024, Jovic was still outside the Top 200.
She finished 2025 ranked No. 35.
By August 2026, she had climbed all the way to World No. 14.
Jovic Has Serbian and Croatian Roots
Although Jovic represents the United States, her family background has strong ties to the Balkans.
She was born and raised in Torrance, California, but her father is from Serbia while her mother is from Croatia.
Jovic grew up speaking Serbian at home.
That heritage has also helped create an interesting connection between Jovic and Novak Djokovic.
Yes, that Novak Djokovic.
The 24-time Grand Slam men’s singles champion has taken an interest in Jovic’s career and has offered her advice about her game.
Jovic has described their relationship as something similar to a student-mentor connection. She has said Djokovic has watched her matches and given her detailed tactical suggestions.
Imagine being 18 years old and receiving tennis advice directly from one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Not bad.
Novak Djokovic Has Been Helping Iva Jovic
Jovic’s connection with Djokovic became particularly noticeable during the 2026 Australian Open.
Before one of her matches, Djokovic reportedly gave her tactical advice about opening up the court rather than rushing her shots.
Jovic then went out and defeated Jasmine Paolini, who was a Top 10 player and two-time Grand Slam finalist.
She later joked about how surreal it was that Djokovic had watched enough of her matches to give her specific advice.
According to Jovic, she has a direct line to Djokovic and occasionally texts him during tournaments, particularly when they are competing at the same event.
That mentorship is one more reason tennis fans are paying attention to her development.
She Was Already a Major Junior Tennis Prospect
Jovic’s rise didn’t suddenly begin when she reached the WTA Tour.
She had already established herself as one of America’s best junior players.
She won the Orange Bowl 14-and-under title in 2021 and later enjoyed considerable success in junior doubles alongside fellow American Tyra Caterina Grant.
Jovic and Grant won the girls’ doubles titles at both the 2024 Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Jovic also reached junior World No. 2.
At the 2024 USTA Girls’ 18s National Championships, she swept the singles and doubles titles, earning herself a wild card into the US Open women’s singles main draw.
She was only 16.
That US Open wild card became the beginning of her transition from junior tennis to the professional game.
Jovic Won Her First Grand Slam Main-Draw Match at 16
Jovic didn’t waste her first opportunity at a Grand Slam.
At the 2024 US Open, the 16-year-old defeated experienced Polish player Magda Linette in the first round.
She then pushed Ekaterina Alexandrova to three sets before losing in the second round.
That performance immediately showed that she wasn’t simply entering the US Open for experience.
She was already capable of competing with established WTA players.
From there, her progress accelerated.
Her Breakthrough 2025 Season
The 2025 season was when Jovic really established herself as a professional.
She won the WTA 125 title in Ilkley, England, which helped push her into the world’s Top 100.
Then came an even bigger breakthrough.
In September 2025, Jovic won the Guadalajara Open in Mexico.
And this wasn’t a small lower-level tournament.
Guadalajara was a WTA 500 event.
Jovic defeated Colombia’s Emiliana Arango 6-4, 6-1 in the final to capture her first WTA Tour singles championship.
She was only 17 years old.
At 17 years and 283 days, Jovic became the youngest WTA singles champion of the 2025 season and the youngest American woman to win a tour-level title since Coco Gauff in Parma in 2021.
That title pushed her career into another level.
Iva Jovic Reached the 2026 Australian Open Quarterfinals
If Guadalajara proved that Jovic could win on the WTA Tour, the 2026 Australian Open proved that she could make an impact at a Grand Slam.
Jovic arrived in Melbourne seeded at a major for the first time.
She then went on a remarkable run.
Her victories included:
- Katie Volynets
- Priscilla Hon
- Jasmine Paolini
- Yulia Putintseva
Even more impressive, Jovic reached the quarterfinals without dropping a set.
Her 6-2, 7-6 victory over Paolini was particularly significant.
Paolini had already reached multiple Grand Slam finals, yet the teenager was able to beat her in straight sets.
Jovic then destroyed Putintseva 6-0, 6-1 in just 53 minutes to reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
That made her the youngest American woman to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals without dropping a set since Venus Williams in 1998.
Eventually, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka ended her run, beating Jovic 6-3, 6-0 in the quarterfinals.
But by then, Jovic had already made her point.
She was no longer simply a talented teenager.
She was becoming a serious Top 20 player.
Jovic Has Been Consistent Across All Three Surfaces
One thing that makes Jovic particularly dangerous is that she has already shown she can perform on different surfaces.
She prefers grass, according to her WTA profile, but her biggest professional title so far came on hard court in Guadalajara.
She reached the Australian Open quarterfinals on hard court.
She reached the third round at Roland Garros on clay.
And she reached the fourth round at Wimbledon on grass.
At Wimbledon, Jovic took the opening set against Jessica Pegula before the experienced American came back to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
For an 18-year-old, that kind of surface versatility is impressive.
How Does Iva Jovic Play?
This is probably the section Alex Eala fans will find most interesting.
What makes Jovic difficult to beat?
She is an aggressive baseline player who likes to take the ball early and hit flat, penetrating groundstrokes.
That sounds somewhat familiar.
Because in several ways, her playing style resembles Eala’s.
The WTA itself noted the similarity when the two met at Queen’s Club.
Their rallies featured flat, aggressive hitting from both sides, with both players trying to control points from the baseline.
Jovic is especially dangerous when she gets comfortable inside the baseline and begins redirecting the ball.
She can take time away from opponents and force them into defensive positions.
And because she is still only 18, there is plenty of room for her game to become even more complete.
Jovic’s Biggest Strength Against Eala So Far
If we look specifically at their previous matches, Jovic has generally been better at sustaining aggressive tennis without giving away as many free points.
Their Queen’s Club match is a good example.
Eala hit 12 winners but committed 19 unforced errors.
Jovic produced 26 winners while making only nine unforced errors.
That’s a major difference.
When both players want to attack, the winner is often the one who can maintain aggression without becoming reckless.
So far, Jovic has handled that balance better in their head-to-head meetings.
Alex Eala and Iva Jovic Are Actually Friends
Here’s what makes the rivalry fun.
These aren’t two players who dislike each other.
They’re friends.
The US Open itself describes Eala and Jovic as close friends.
That friendship has also been mentioned during their previous matches.
But professional tennis has a funny way of putting friendships aside for a couple of hours.
At Queen’s Club, Jovic did exactly that.
She beat Eala 6-2, 6-2 in just 76 minutes.
There wasn’t much mercy involved.
Then after the match, they could go back to being friends.
That dynamic should fit perfectly with Stars of the Open, which is designed to be competitive but also entertaining.
Iva Jovic vs. Alex Eala Head-to-Head
Heading into Stars of the Open, Jovic leads their official professional head-to-head:
Iva Jovic 2
Alex Eala 0
They have played twice.
First Meeting: Roland Garros 2026
Their first professional meeting came in the first round of Roland Garros on May 26.
Jovic entered as the No. 17 seed.
She started quickly and built a 5-1 lead in the opening set.
Eala fought back, cutting the deficit to 5-4, but Jovic broke again to close out the set.
The American eventually won:
Iva Jovic def. Alex Eala, 6-4, 6-2
The match lasted one hour and 40 minutes.
It was competitive at times, particularly during Eala’s first-set comeback attempt, but Jovic was ultimately more consistent.
Second Meeting: Queen’s Club 2026
They didn’t have to wait long for a rematch.
Less than three weeks later, Eala and Jovic met again at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London.
This time, the match was played on grass.
Eala entered with plenty of momentum after winning the Birmingham WTA 125 title and was riding a six-match winning streak.
Jovic stopped that momentum immediately.
She defeated Eala:
6-2, 6-2
The match lasted only 76 minutes.
Statistically, Jovic played an excellent match.
She produced 26 winners against just nine unforced errors.
Eala had 12 winners and 19 unforced errors.
The result gave Jovic a 2-0 advantage in their head-to-head record.
Third Meeting: Stars of the Open 2026
And now comes meeting No. 3.
Sort of.
Eala and Jovic will play each other again during Stars of the Open on Thursday, August 27 in New York.
Because of the time difference, Filipino viewers will see the event on:
Friday, August 28, 2026
The program starts at:
6:00 a.m. Philippine Time
Eala vs. Jovic is the third match of the night.
The order of play is:
- Amanda Anisimova vs. Marta Kostyuk
- João Fonseca vs. Learner Tien
- Alex Eala vs. Iva Jovic
- Arthur Fils vs. Alex Michelsen
There is no exact start time for Eala’s match because it depends on how quickly the first two exhibitions are completed.
Stars of the Open Uses a Shorter Format
Don’t expect another full best-of-three-set match between Jovic and Eala.
Stars of the Open uses a shortened exhibition format.
Each match consists of one set, with the first player to reach six games winning.
That changes the dynamic considerably.
In a normal WTA match, a player can lose the first set and still recover.
Here, there is no second set.
A slow start could be enough to decide everything.
That could make Eala vs. Jovic especially interesting because both players like to play aggressively from the baseline.
Whoever settles into the match first may have a significant advantage.
Does the Result Count in Their Head-to-Head?
No.
Even if Eala defeats Jovic at Stars of the Open, Jovic will still officially lead their WTA head-to-head 2-0.
Stars of the Open is an exhibition.
There are:
- no WTA ranking points,
- no official tournament advancement,
- no Grand Slam result,
- and no change to their official professional head-to-head.
Still, I doubt either player wants to lose.
Tennis players are competitive.
Put a scoreboard in front of them and that competitive instinct usually appears quickly.
Jovic Is Ranked Higher Than Eala Entering the Match
There is another interesting difference from their earlier meetings.
Both players are now firmly established inside the Top 20.
As of August 24:
Iva Jovic — World No. 14
Alex Eala — World No. 18
Those are career-high rankings for both players.
That makes this one of the stronger matchups in Stars of the Open.
And considering Jovic is only 18 while Eala is 21, we could be watching a rivalry that continues for many years.
But Eala Is Also a Different Player Now
While Jovic owns the 2-0 head-to-head advantage, Filipino fans have one good reason to be optimistic.
Alex Eala has continued improving since their last meeting.
She enters New York as the World No. 18 and, more importantly, as a WTA champion.
Eala captured her first tour-level title in Washington, D.C. earlier this month, becoming the first Filipina to win a WTA singles championship.
She has also reached the fourth round of Wimbledon this season and continues to climb the rankings.
So even though Jovic dominated their previous match at Queen’s, this version of Alex Eala arrives with more experience and confidence.
Again, it’s only an exhibition.
But it should still be an interesting test.
Why Jovic Is One of America’s Biggest Young Tennis Prospects
American women’s tennis isn’t exactly short on talent.
Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova and Madison Keys are among the established names.
That makes Jovic’s rapid rise even more impressive.
At only 18, she has already reached World No. 14 and will be seeded at the US Open for the first time at her home Grand Slam.
The US Open has identified her as one of its players to watch.
Stars of the Open also originally announced Jovic alongside Eala, João Fonseca and Learner Tien as the four young players headlining the 2026 event.
In other words, American tennis clearly sees her as part of its next generation.
Jovic Is Excited About the Filipino Crowd
There’s another nice connection between Jovic and Filipino tennis fans.
When discussing Stars of the Open, Jovic specifically mentioned the different groups of supporters expected to attend.
She pointed to Brazilians supporting João Fonseca, Filipinos supporting Eala and Americans supporting the home players.
She said she expected that combination to create an incredible atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
And she’s probably right.
Filipino fans have become increasingly visible at Eala’s tournaments around the world.
At a New York tournament, where there is also a large Filipino and Filipino-American community, the support could be particularly noticeable.
Comparing Iva Jovic and Alex Eala
Here’s a quick look at the two players entering Stars of the Open.
| Category | Iva Jovic | Alex Eala |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | Philippines |
| Age | 18 | 21 |
| Current ranking | No. 14 | No. 18 |
| Plays | Right-handed | Left-handed |
| Height | 1.73 m | 1.75 m |
| WTA singles titles | 1 | 1 |
| Best 2026 Slam result | Australian Open QF | Wimbledon R16 |
| Head-to-head | Leads 2-0 | Trails 0-2 |
Their career paths are different, but there are also plenty of similarities.
Both were outstanding junior players.
Both transitioned quickly to professional tennis.
Both won major titles or reached major milestones at a young age.
Both are already WTA champions.
And both are now inside the Top 20.
That’s why their friendship could eventually develop into a very interesting professional rivalry.
What Should Alex Eala Do Differently Against Jovic?
Because this is an exhibition, we shouldn’t overanalyze the tactics too much.
But their first two meetings give us clues.
The biggest challenge for Eala is controlling the number of errors while still playing aggressively.
Jovic likes fast baseline exchanges.
If Eala simply tries to hit harder on every shot, she risks giving the American exactly the type of match she wants.
At Queen’s, the difference was clear.
Jovic had 26 winners and nine unforced errors.
Eala had 12 winners and 19 errors.
Against a player that consistent, Eala needs to find a better balance.
Using her left-handed serve, changing direction earlier, creating angles and preventing Jovic from settling into predictable baseline patterns could help.
The one-set format may also encourage Alex to be aggressive from the beginning.
There won’t be much time to adjust.
Can Alex Eala Beat Iva Jovic?
Of course.
Their previous results make Jovic the player with the advantage in the matchup, but they don’t guarantee the next result.
Eala has improved considerably during the 2026 season.
She’s now World No. 18.
She’s a WTA champion.
And this isn’t even a full WTA match.
In one set, almost anything can happen.
One early service break could decide the exhibition.
For Filipino fans, it would certainly be nice to see Eala finally beat Jovic.
Just remember that even if she does, the official head-to-head will remain 2-0 in Jovic’s favor.
They’ll need another WTA or Grand Slam meeting for Eala to officially get one back.
Where to Watch Alex Eala vs. Iva Jovic
Stars of the Open will be held at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday evening in New York.
For Philippine viewers, the schedule is:
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
Event start: 6:00 a.m. Philippine Time
Eala vs. Jovic: Third match
The US Open says Stars of the Open will be available on ESPN+ in the United States and distributed through its international broadcast partners. Specific international channels for the exhibition are still subject to local listings.
Filipino viewers should check the latest local US Open broadcast schedule before Friday morning.
Is Iva Jovic Playing in the 2026 US Open?
Yes.
Stars of the Open is only part of Jovic’s New York schedule.
She will also compete in the women’s singles main draw.
This will be her third US Open appearance, and for the first time, she enters her home Grand Slam as a seeded player.
That means both Jovic and Eala have much bigger matches coming after their exhibition.
Stars of the Open should be fun.
But once the US Open singles competition starts, the stakes change completely.
Could Eala vs. Jovic Become a Long-Term Rivalry?
This might be the most interesting question.
Eala is 21.
Jovic is 18.
They’re already ranked No. 18 and No. 14 in the world.
If both continue developing, there is a good chance they will meet many more times over the next decade.
Maybe at WTA 1000 tournaments.
Maybe at Grand Slams.
Maybe even in finals.
That’s impossible to predict, of course.
But their careers are already intersecting frequently.
They played twice within three weeks earlier this year.
Now they’re meeting again in New York.
And they seem to genuinely enjoy each other’s company away from the court.
Those are often the ingredients of the best tennis rivalries: respect, familiarity and a strong desire to win once the match begins.
Frequently Asked Questions About Iva Jovic
Who is Iva Jovic?
Iva Jovic is an 18-year-old American professional tennis player from Torrance, California. She is one of the fastest-rising young players on the WTA Tour and is currently ranked World No. 14.
How old is Iva Jovic?
Jovic was born on December 6, 2007 and is 18 years old.
Where was Iva Jovic born?
She was born in Torrance, California.
What nationality is Iva Jovic?
Jovic represents the United States in professional tennis.
Her father is Serbian and her mother is Croatian, and she grew up speaking Serbian.
What is Iva Jovic’s WTA ranking?
Jovic is World No. 14 in the WTA rankings as of August 24, 2026.
Has Iva Jovic won a WTA title?
Yes.
Jovic won her first WTA Tour singles title at the 2025 Guadalajara Open, defeating Emiliana Arango 6-4, 6-1 in the final.
What is Iva Jovic’s best Grand Slam result?
Jovic reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 Australian Open.
She eventually lost to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Are Alex Eala and Iva Jovic friends?
Yes.
The US Open describes Eala and Jovic as close friends.
How many times have Alex Eala and Iva Jovic played?
They have played two official professional matches.
Jovic won both.
What is Alex Eala vs. Iva Jovic’s head-to-head record?
Jovic leads Eala 2-0.
When did Iva Jovic first beat Alex Eala?
Their first meeting came at Roland Garros in May 2026.
Jovic won 6-4, 6-2.
What happened in their second match?
Jovic defeated Eala 6-2, 6-2 at Queen’s Club in June 2026.
When will Alex Eala play Iva Jovic again?
They will meet at Stars of the Open on August 27 in New York, which is August 28 in the Philippines.
What time is Eala vs. Jovic in the Philippines?
Stars of the Open begins at 6:00 a.m. Philippine Time on Friday, August 28.
Eala vs. Jovic is the third match of the program.
Will Stars of the Open count toward their official head-to-head?
No.
Stars of the Open is an exhibition event, so the result will not count as an official WTA match.
Does Novak Djokovic coach Iva Jovic?
No.
Jovic’s official coach is Thomas Gutteridge.
However, Djokovic has acted as a mentor and has given her tactical advice during tournaments.
Final Thoughts
For Filipino fans, Iva Jovic is becoming a familiar name.
And that’s understandable.
When Alex Eala keeps playing someone, you naturally start paying attention to that player too.
So far, Jovic has been a difficult matchup for Alex.
She beat Eala on the clay of Roland Garros.
Then she beat her again on the grass at Queen’s Club.
Now they head to the hard courts of New York for another meeting.
But this time there is a slightly different feeling.
Eala arrives as World No. 18 and a WTA champion.
Jovic arrives as World No. 14 and one of the brightest young players in American tennis.
They’re friends.
They’re Top 20 players.
They’re both still very young.
And they’ll be playing under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Yes, Stars of the Open is only an exhibition.
No ranking points are at stake, and even an Eala victory wouldn’t officially change Jovic’s 2-0 head-to-head advantage.
But try telling two professional tennis players not to care about the scoreboard once they step onto the court.
For Filipino fans, this is another opportunity to watch Alex against one of the young players who could become one of her long-term rivals on the WTA Tour.
And if you haven’t been following Iva Jovic before, now you know why she deserves attention.
At only 18, she is already a WTA champion, a Grand Slam quarterfinalist and the World No. 14.
She has beaten Alex Eala twice.
Now Alex gets another shot.
Stars of the Open 2026 begins at 6:00 a.m. Philippine Time on Friday, August 28, with Alex Eala vs. Iva Jovic scheduled as the third match of the program.
