Jana Kovackova wrote history at last week’s W35 Antalya event. The young Czech passed seven rivals to lift the first title of her career. At 14 years and nine months, Jana became the 11th youngest player to clinch an ITF title.
She is also the first player born in 2010 to conquer a professional tournament. The future is indeed here! Kovackova played her first professional tournament in February and reached the final, presenting her incredible potential.
Five weeks later, the young Czech went a step further in Antalya, passing two qualifying rounds and emerging at the top in style to enter history books.
NACIÓ EN 2010 😳
Contadas son las veces que una tenista de 14 años gana un torneo profesional. Bueno, este fin de semana volvió a ocurrir y la protagonista fue Jana Kovackova 🧐
La checa conquistó el W35 de Antalya y se convirtió en la undécima jugadora más joven en salir… pic.twitter.com/iRoIkIKLYL
— Séptimo Game (@Septimo_Game) March 31, 2025
Jana defeated Darya Volkova and Makenna Jones in the qualifying stages, dropping ten games in four sets and advancing to the main draw. The 14-year-old faced Lucija Ciric Bagaric in the first round and notched a 6-4, 6-4 triumph.
The rivals traded four breaks in the middle of the opening set before Kovackova secured a break at love at 5-4 to wrap it up. The young gun trailed 4-2 in the second set before rattling off four games to seal the deal and move into the last 16.
Jana faced Pia Lovric in the second round and win 6-1, 7-6 for her third quarter-final from four professional tournaments. Kovackova provided five consecutive breaks and claimed the opener in style. Lovric raised her level in the second set and earned two early breaks.
Jana Kovackova© Stream screenshot
The Slovenian led 5-3 and served for the set in game ten. She wasted two set points and allowed the young gun to pull the break back and gain confidence. Jana clinched the tie break 7-2, moving over the top and remaining on the title course.
Kovackova battled against Alisa Oktibraeva in the quarter-final and notched a 6-3, 7-6 victory in two hours. They traded early breaks in the opener before Jana rattled off four games from 2-3. The first half of the second set witnessed four consecutive breaks of serve.
The Russian denied four break points in the eighth game, and the set reached a tie break. Jana provided four mini-breaks to seal the deal and move into the last four. Last week, the young Czech fell to Yelyzaveta Kotilar in the quarter-final.
Jana Kovackova© Stream screenshot
Kovackova served revenge and toppled the Ukrainian 6-1, 6-2 for a place in the title clash. The 14-year-old sealed the deal in an hour and 20 minutes and preserved energy for the final. Jana denied all three break points and generated 11 chances on the return.
The Czech seized four, claiming two breaks in each set to control the scoreboard and sail over the top. Denislava Glushkova stood between Kovackova and her first professional title. A teenager saved her best tennis for the most important duel.
Jana Kovackova© Stream screenshot
She destroyed the Bulgarian 6-0, 6-1 in 70 minutes to become the 11th youngest player with a pro title. Jana faced no break points, serving well and mounting the pressure on the other side. The 14-year-old pushed her rival to the limits on the return and seized six of seven break points!
Kovackova dropped eight points in the opening set, outplaying her opponent and securing a bagel in no time. Gluskhova saved a break point in the first game of the second set to end her downfall. However, it did not last long!
Jana clinched breaks in games three, five and seven, sailing over the top and writing history books.
Tennis World USA