Who is Olga Danilovic? Novak Djokovic superfan embarking on epic French Open run
Grand Slam tournaments often throw up the biggest of surprises.
And this year’s French Open arguably has had no bigger surprise than Olga Danilovic, the Serbian qualifier who is now in the fourth round of Roland Garros.
The world No. 125 stunned Donna Vekic 0-6, 7-5, 7-6(8) to reach the second week of a Slam for the first time in her career.
Having now won six matches in a row, Danilovic has become one of the biggest talking points of the tournament – and her run is by no means over yet.
We take you through all you need to know about Serbia’s latest tennis sensation.
Teen star
Danilovic was a name on everyone’s lips a few years ago as she looked set to storm the WTA Rankings.
She won her first WTA title in Moscow in 2018 as a 17-year-old, beating fellow teen Anastasia Potapova in the final to become the first woman born in the 21st century to win a WTA tournament.
That came after a stellar junior career which saw her win three junior doubles Grand Slam titles – at the French Open in 2016, and Wimbledon and the US Open in 2017.
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Post-title struggles
Danilovic’s breakthrough onto the WTA Tour hasn’t been easy, with plenty of tough moments and setbacks since winning the title in Moscow six years ago.
She lost in Grand Slam qualifying in her first six attempts to reach a major main draw, before finally breaking her duck at the 2021 Australian Open – ultimately progressing to the second round.
But consistently reaching major main draws remained a challenge for her, with just four Grand Slam main draw appearances by the end of 2023.
It also took her some time to come close to matching her Moscow run, with her second WTA final coming at the Swiss Open in July 2022 – where she lost to Petra Martic in the final.
Sporting background
Danilovic is certainly no stranger to the sporting world.
Her father, Sasha Danilovic, was a huge basketball star during his career and was widely considered one of the best European basketballers of the 1990s.
He was part of the Yugoslavian team that claimed a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, while he also played for the Miami Heat for two years.
Meanwhile, her mum, Svetlana, is a high-profile sports reporter back in Serbia.
That feeling of reaching a GS second week for the first time #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/xKbso7962B
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 31, 2024
Djokovic superfan – and doubles partner
Being from Serbia, it is no surprise that Novak Djokovic is Danilovic’s tennis hero.
In an interview back in 2017, she opened up about how watching the world No 1 had inspired her to pick up a racket.
Speaking to OK Tennis, she said: “I was watching Novak Djokovic on TV, I don’t remember if it was during Roland Garros or Wimbledon but it was during the beginning of summertime. I felt that could be a nice sport so I tried it.
“He was my idol and will be my idol forever. I love him for his game, his attitude, his life, his achievements, everything. I think everyone should have the passion he always shows. I can’t say anything else apart from that he’s the best.”
And earlier this season, Danilovic got to play alongside her idol in the United Cup.
As well as representing her nation in their women’s singles ties, she and the 24-time Slam winner played together in a mixed doubles rubber against China.
French Open breakthrough
Signs have been promising for Danilovic this clay season, pushing in-form Danielle Collins in a Madrid Open epic.
And, after coming through qualifying in Paris, the 23-year-old dispatched Martina Trevisan for the loss of only three games to set up another meeting with world No 10 Collins.
The American edged a tight opener and looked set to ease through to round three as she served for the match at 5-3 up in the second set.
But Danilovic battled back and ultimately stunned the Miami Open champion 6-7(3), 7-6, 6-4 in an enthralling contest, reaching round three of a major for the first time.
And she again battled from the brink to extend her stunning run against Vekic.
The Croat won the opening set to love and served for the match twice deep in the third set, also holding a 6-2 lead in the decisive tiebreak.
However, Danilovic refused to be beaten – and is now one match away from a Grand Slam quarter-final.
She sits 107th in the live rankings – a jump of 18 places – and would move up into the top 80 for the very first time if she reaches the last eight.
