“I wouldn’t change a thing” – maturing Danilovic arrives on the big stage
The Serbian defeated Jessica Pegula 7-6 (3), 6-1 to reach a career-first fourth round at the Australian Open
Olga Danilovic, Australian Open, 2025 Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP/SIPA
Ever since her maiden WTA title in Moscow in 2018, and even earlier, many predicted a bright, top-10 future for Olga Danilović.
With her father, Predrag, a basketball legend, and her mother, Svetlana, a renowned TV host, Olga was under scrutiny from an early age, especially as a tennis prodigy. While her rise took longer than anticipated, it now seems the soon-to-be 24-year-old is on the right path to fulfilling her enormous potential.
“I wouldn’t change a thing. That’s what maturing looks like,” Danilović told Serbian press after her stunning 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 victory over world No 6 Jessica Pegula in the third round of the Australian Open.
“Over time, I’ve heard plenty of opinions from all sorts of people—opinions I honestly didn’t care about. Since I was a kid, I’ve been told, ‘Now is the time,’ but nothing happens overnight. I’ve always worked hard and believed in myself.”
A left-hander standing at 182 cm, Danilović has always been known for her ability to play inspired tennis on the biggest stages. However, consistency has been her Achilles’ heel – not just in winning but in participating regularly, as she’s been hampered by numerous health issues, most notably a chronic right knee injury.
“I have to be careful; I know that. I’ve learned which exercises and treatments ease the pain, but the issue will never completely go away. Over time, I’ve also learned to recognise my limits – to know when I can push through and when the pain signals it’s too much. Hard courts are the toughest on my knees, while clay is a bit easier.”
breakthrough 2024 builds foundation for australian open run
For a long time, Danilović hovered around the top 100 before her breakthrough at the Guangzhou Open, where she captured her second WTA title by defeating Caroline Dolehide in the final. Because of her knee issues, she decided to end her season after that tournament, having started the off-season early with a primary focus on strengthening her knee.
Although she lost in the first round in Hobart, Danilović is known for slow starts to the season. In Melbourne, she found her form, defeating Arantxa Rus (6-4, 6-4) and 25th seed Liudmila Samsonova (6-1, 6-2) before her statement win against Pegula.
“You can see she’s physically stronger now compared to the past,” Novak Djokovic commented during Danilović’s match against Pegula. “Just look at her shoulders—you can tell she’s done the work in the off-season, and it’s already showing in her game.”
Midway through his press conference, Djokovic turned to Serbian press to ask, “Did she win the first set?”
Not only did she win the first set, but she also clinched the match—arguably the finest performance of her career, given the stakes. Her father, Predrag Danilović, known for clutch plays during his illustrious basketball career, seems to have passed on his big-game mentality to Olga. Like father, like daughter, Olga thrives on the big stage.
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Danilović said with a laugh. Projected to climb to world No 41 in the live rankings, she added, “I respect every opponent, but I’m not afraid of anyone. In that sense, I take after my dad—I never back down. I love the atmosphere in big stadiums and thrive in that energy, especially when there are Serbian fans, like against Pegula.”
Fearless on the court, Danilović also showcased her skillset against Pegula. She landed 76 percent of her first serves, often delivering her best under pressure, and held her own in baseline rallies against one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour. Her willingness to attack was well-timed and calculated.
danilovic fulfilling “potential” – djokovic
“Stay low with the legs!” This has been a constant refrain from her coaches since her junior days. Against Pegula, it proved to be one of the keys to her victory. “I must’ve heard it a thousand times,” Danilović said with a smile. “If I hadn’t done that against Pegula, I wouldn’t have stood a chance. My legs feel great now – that’s what the off-season was for.”
“You can tell she’s more solid when on the move,” Djokovic observed.
“A few years ago, she would’ve been out of position and likely missed a lot of those shots, but she’s improved tremendously in that area. We’ve always known she has the potential to achieve great things.”
Off the court, those close to Danilović have noticed a shift in her demeanour. She appears more focused, composed, and at peace—ready to embrace the journey. In a word: mature.
“It took time to learn how to handle everything—this life we lead. I’ve developed a more positive outlook on what’s happening. It sounds cliché, but you really have to trust the process and live by the mantra: ‘Never too high, never too low.’”
While she reached the third and fourth rounds of Roland-Garros in the past two years, this is the first Grand Slam of her career where Danilović entered directly into the main draw.
Last year in Paris, she was “dead tired” before her fourth-round match against Markéta Vondroušová, but this time, the circumstances feel different.
“Every ‘first’—whatever it is—feels a bit strange. But once you go through it, you learn.” With coaches Alejandro García Cenzano and José “Pepo” Clavet by her side, Danilović is preparing for her next challenge: a clash against world No 12 Paula Badosa on Margaret Court Arena.
No matter what happens, one thing seems certain: Olga Danilović has arrived—and she’s here to
stay.
