The tennis world watched in awe as 17-year-old American WTA star Iva Jovic captured the spotlight by winning her first-ever singles title. After a disappointing second-round exit at the US Open, she bounced back to win the WTA 500 event in Guadalajara. The victory not only added a major achievement to her budding career but also drew a powerful endorsement from Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci.
How Did Iva Jovic Secure Her Breakthrough Title?
Jovic clinched her first WTA singles title at the 2025 Guadalajara Open Akron, defeating Colombia’s Emiliana Arango 6-4, 6-1 in the final. This victory marked her maiden WTA Tour-level title and made her the youngest American woman to win a tour-level singles championship since Coco Gauff’s triumph in Parma in 2021.
Jovic’s path to the title was impressive. She overcame significant challenges in the earlier rounds, including winning two tough three-set matches. This win also vaulted her into the Top 50 of the WTA rankings for the first time.
The achievement quickly gained worldwide recognition. Following her victory, Rick Macci, Serena Williams’ childhood coach, predicted that the young American is just getting started.
“Iva Jovic age 17 is the real deal as mentally is cut from a different cloth. On top of that she hits the ball clean and can control time. Top ten is by year end 2026 and once there a permanent fix,” he wrote on X.
Iva Jovic age 17 is the real deal as mentally is cut from a different cloth. On top of that she hits the ball clean and can control time. Top ten is by year end 2026 and once there a permanent fix. @WTA
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) September 15, 2025
For context, Serena Williams won her first WTA singles title in 1999 at the age of 17 at the Open Gaz de France in Paris. At that time, her father, Richard Williams, was her coach and played a key role in developing both her and her sister Venus’s careers from a young age.
After her dominant performance against Arango in the Guadalajara Open final, Jovic demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship with warm words for her opponent, and said:
“You showed so much fight and gave the people a show. It’s not easy to start out on tour when you’re young … but people like Emiliana make it easier and always have a smile on their face.”
Following the victory, Jovic will officially enter the Top 50 in the world rankings for the first time on Monday. She started the tournament ranked No. 73 and becomes the 12th player this season to break into the Top 50. It was a successful day for Americans at the Jalisco tournament, as Nicole Melichar-Martinez, also from the U.S., teamed up with Irina Khromacheva to win the doubles competition.
