At just 17, Iva Jovic wins Guadalajara Open, breaks Coco Gauff’s record and tops $1m earnings

American teenager Iva Jovic has stormed into the spotlight after making history at the Guadalajara Open, becoming the youngest American to win a WTA title since Coco Gauff in 2021 and surpassing the $1 million career prize-money mark. The 17-year-old, aged 17 years and 283 days, defeated Colombia’s Emiliana Arango 6-4, 6-1 in Sunday’s final to clinch her maiden WTA title and cap a remarkable breakthrough season.

Jovic’s victory dislodged Mirra Andreeva as the youngest player to win a tour event this year, confirming her rapid ascent in the women’s game. The win also brings her career prize money to $1,028,278, with $826,978 earned in 2025 alone. Her winner’s cheque of $164,000 in Mexico marked the biggest payday of her fledgling career.

The teenager’s rise has been breathtaking. She began the year ranked outside the top 200, sitting at 206 in January. By the time she arrived in Guadalajara, she had already climbed to world No.73, the youngest player in the top 100. Her title run has propelled her further still, securing 500 ranking points and a new position at No.36 in the world.

The Guadalajara Open, a WTA 500 tournament, saw Jovic navigate a challenging draw with maturity and poise well beyond her years. Her Colombian opponent was visibly struggling with illness in the final, but Jovic’s relentless pressure proved decisive. She converted six of 11 break points, saving six of nine against her, and dominated with consistency from the baseline.

After sealing the victory, Jovic paid tribute to her opponent in a gracious speech. “You showed so much fight and gave the people a show,” she told Arango. “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.”

The achievement has drawn comparisons with Coco Gauff, who captured her first title at Parma four years ago and has since gone on to win Grand Slams. Jovic’s triumph arrives in a season already rich with American success, with Madison Keys claiming the Australian Open and Gauff lifting the French Open. Now, the teenager from California has added her name to the list of US champions, cementing her status as the newest star of the sport.

Respected coach Rick Macci, who helped shape the early careers of Serena and Venus Williams, hailed Jovic’s potential in glowing terms. “Iva Jovic at 17 is the real deal as mentally she is cut from a different cloth,” he said on X. “She hits the ball clean and can control time. Top ten by year end 2026 and once there, a permanent fix.”

Despite her youth, Jovic has already gained valuable experience at the sport’s highest level, featuring in all four Grand Slam tournaments this year. She reached the second round at the Australian Open, French Open and US Open, though Wimbledon ended in a first-round defeat. These steady results, paired with her title in Mexico, suggest a player with both the consistency and the firepower to stay at the top.

Jovic’s next test comes at the WTA 1000 China Open, starting on September 24, where she has earned direct entry. For a player who only turned professional in 2022, the prospect of competing in such elite company marks another giant stride forward.

As her ranking climbs and her confidence soars, Iva Jovic has emerged as one of the most exciting young prospects in tennis. For American fans, her rise offers echoes of Gauff’s breakthrough—yet with her own distinct flair, hunger and determination. The teenager has broken records, crossed the million-dollar mark and announced herself as a serious force on the WTA Tour. Few doubt there is more history to come