US Open star says ‘I’m going to start crying’ after private locker room chat with rival
Iva Jovic outlasted her good friend Alex Eala in a blockbuster clash on the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday night to reach the second week of the US Open for the very first time. No. 14 seed Jovic came back from a break down in the decider to beat the Filipino sensation 7-5 3-6 7-5 in a three-hour thriller, and dropped to the crowd in disbelief.
Both women were in tears – of happiness for Jovic, and of disappointment for Eala – but the 17th seed showed her class as she came over to embrace the American after a tense battle on tennis’ biggest showcourt. And 18-year-old Jovic admitted she was “going to start crying” as she revealed that Eala’s class extended off the court and into the locker room.
I mean, right now it’s crazy, I think, for both of us. But it says a lot about her as a person,” Jovic said, wiping her eyes as she became emotional.
“I’m going to start crying, but it says a lot about her as a person to be able to do that after that type of match and still come over and hug me and wish me all the best, and even in the locker room, behind closed doors. That just says a lot about her and her character. Yeah, she’s incredible.”
The two have a strong friendship, but they’ve also formed an exciting rivalry on the court. This was their third meeting of the season after matches at Roland Garros and Queen’s. Jovic has now won all three, but their US Open third-round clash was the toughest yet.
“Honestly, I thought she played well in all of the encounters that we faced, but she’s really, I think she played an outrageous level tonight. She was serving very good. She was showing a lot more versatility with her returns. You can tell that she’s been working very hard and has improved a lot. I have, as well,” the American teenager explained.
It was just, it was very close, very even. She’s playing, again, like, some of the best tennis in the world right now. So it’s no doubt it takes a hell of an effort to beat her right now.”
Jovic reached a maiden Major quarter-final at the Australian Open back in January. Now, she’s into the second week of her home Slam for the very first time. And things won’t get any easier, as she faces fourth seed and former champion Coco Gauff next.
Gauff came from a set down to beat Jovic in their only previous meeting in Rome this year, and the 14th seed said: “This is what you want, you know, week two in the Slams, you’re playing one of the best players in the world.
“Obviously, she’s playing quite well right now. But last time I played her, it was a little bit of a heartbreaker, and I had a lot of chances. Hopefully, I can learn from that and replicate. I think if I replicate this level, I’m definitely going to have my chances in that one.”
