Iva Jovic and Victoria Mboko Have Arrived

Victoria Mboko and Iva Jovic aren’t “future stars” anymore — they’ve officially arrived, and they’re doing it together.

For the last couple years, serious tennis fans have been tracking these two as inevitable. Mboko, the 19-year-old Canadian rocket ship, and Jovic, the 18-year-old American with a game built for the biggest courts, have been elite prospects for a long time. But the 2026 Australian Open is where it’s starting to feel real for the entire sport — because both teens are now seeded, both are winning, and both look completely comfortable under major pressure.

North American fans just watched Coco Gauff grow up in real time and become a championship-level presence. Now, Coco is suddenly the established veteran in the conversation — because Mboko and Jovic are the next wave, and they’re coming fast. They’ve already shared junior history, they’ve crossed paths on the pro circuit, and their friendship has survived the one thing that usually ruins friendships in sports: competing for the same trophies.

What makes this moment even better is they’ve teamed up in doubles, too. Fans are already calling them “Team Joboko,” and they’ve brought great energy to Melbourne while backing it up on the court. It’s rare to see two singles threats take doubles seriously, but it’s a smart move — extra reps, extra confidence, and more big-match experience with less pressure than a singles showdown.

Now the bracket starts to bite.

Jovic has a huge opportunity in front of her against Julia Putintseva in the Round of 16, and the market is treating her like a live dog. Mboko’s path is even steeper — she’s staring at world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka as a heavy underdog. But that’s what makes this story electric: both teenagers are good enough to turn “great experience” into “holy hell, they’re here.”

And here’s the dream scenario tennis fans can’t stop thinking about: if Jovic wins and Mboko pulls the upset, they’d meet each other in the quarterfinals. Two friends. Two teenage seeds. One major quarterfinal. Same generation, same moment, same stage. Oh by the way, there’s a very real possibility the winner of that quarterfinal will face none other than Coco Gauff in the semis.

The sport is always looking for the next era. Mboko and Jovic aren’t waiting for permission — they’re taking it.