The world of Slovenian tennis professional Kaja Juvan came crashing down in December 2022 when her father Robert lost his brave battle with cancer. The devastating personal loss created immense challenges for the rising tennis star, forcing her to take multiple breaks from the WTA Tour in both 2023 and 2024 as she navigated the difficult journey of grief while maintaining her professional career.
Emotional Struggle on Court
Just six months before her father's passing, Juvan had achieved her career-high ranking of 58 in the world. Her father's final wish was for her to continue playing tennis regularly even in his absence. Honoring his memory, Juvan pushed through the pain and continued competing until April 2023, though the emotional toll made every match a challenge.
The first quarter of 2023 proved particularly difficult as Juvan failed to qualify for the main draw of several tournaments including the Hobart International and Indian Wells. However, she demonstrated her fighting spirit by reaching the second round of the Australian Open during this emotionally turbulent period.
In April 2023, the weight of her grief became overwhelming, forcing Juvan to take her first break from professional tennis. She returned to action in mid-May, only to take another extended break after the Australian Open in January 2024 that would last nearly a year.
The Challenge of Grieving While Competing
Juvan openly admitted that balancing professional tennis with the grieving process proved incredibly challenging. "People always look at tennis players as robots a little bit. I was very, very close with my dad," Juvan shared during her appearance in Bengaluru, where she led Slovenia's charge in the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs.
"My world kind of fell apart for a little bit, but I think that's very normal to take some time to grieve," the tennis star reflected. "I got to say goodbye to him, to be with him in the hospital. So whenever I think about him, I think about his fighting spirit."
The emotional strain inevitably affected her performance, with Juvan confessing that playing tennis had temporarily lost its joy. Her ranking plummeted to 599 by the end of the 2023 season, a stark contrast to her previous career high.
Remarkable Comeback and Future Goals
Juvan's return to competition in January 2024 marked the beginning of an inspiring comeback story. In recent months, the 5'7" tennis professional has shown remarkable resilience, winning two WTA 125 titles in Ljubljana, Slovenia in September and Samsun, Turkey in October.
Her determined efforts have paid off significantly, with Juvan currently ranked World No. 99, securing her an automatic entry into the upcoming Australian Open. "It was hard to come back to the tour because it's so hectic," Juvan acknowledged. "I'm finding the rhythm, being more consistent. I see a lot of potential in myself to go even higher. It's super great that I'm in the top 100, but my goals are even higher."
Friendship with World No. 2 Iga Swiatek
Juvan shares a special bond with World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, a friendship that dates back to their junior days. The two tennis stars partnered to win the doubles gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games in 2018, building a connection that has endured despite their different career trajectories.
"Iga has not changed even after she became a top player," Juvan revealed. "Her progress was a little bit faster than mine, obviously. We're not in contact as much as we were because it's difficult to align schedules as she's playing a higher-level of tournaments than me. She is always a friend first and I never looked at her as a superstar even though she is one."
Juvan, who celebrated her 25th birthday on November 25, had an impressive junior career that included winning the girls doubles title at Wimbledon in 2017 with Serbia's Olga Danilovic.
Father's Lasting Inspiration
Before traveling to India for the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs, Juvan took to Instagram to honor what would have been her father's 60th birthday. "Today, my dad would have turned 60.... I hope he's watching me from somewhere and seeing me fight as much as he did," she wrote in an emotional tribute.
Robert Juvan remains his daughter's greatest inspiration, having first handed her a tennis racket when she was just two years old. His fighting spirit continues to motivate Juvan as she works toward returning to the upper echelons of women's tennis in the coming seasons.
The Slovenian athlete's journey through grief and back to professional success serves as a powerful testament to resilience in sports. As Juvan continues her comeback, she carries her father's memory with every swing of the racket, determined to honor his legacy through her performance on the global tennis stage.
