New American tennis prodigy announces emphatic arrival

Iva Jovic, the 17-year-old American tennis prodigy, made a powerful statement Sunday by becoming the youngest player to win a WTA title this season, defeating Emiliana Arango, 6-4, 6-1, in the Guadalajara Open final. 

Jovic, who entered the tournament ranked World No. 73, rose to a career-high of No. 36 after starting the season at No. 206. As part of her meteoric rise, Jovic (17 years and 283 days) surpassed fellow teenage prodigy Mirra Andreeva (17 years and 299 days) as the youngest player to win a WTA tournament in 2025. 

Iva Jovic youngest WTA-500 champion in 25 years

The teenager also became the youngest American to win a Tour-level title since Coco Gauff won the Parma Open in 2021, the youngest player ever to win in Guadalajara and the youngest since Kim Clijsters in 2000 to secure a WTA-500 event. 

Iva Jovic's maiden Tour victory is especially notable because it occurred at a WTA-500 event rather than at a WTA-250 or WTA-125 (Challenger) tournament, which is usually the first major win for players her age and experience. 

Jovic thanked her support system for guiding her in her journey.  

"My family, my sister, my mom, my grandpa, my dad, everyone watching from home — I know you guys are there supporting me," she said, via Cristhian Avila of tennisuptodate.com. "And the USTA, thank you for the support. And Integrales, my entire team — none of this would have been possible without any of them. So we share this trophy."