Kaja Juvan is one of the lucky ones.

While other players get through hard lockdown by drilling tennis balls at mattresses and turning hotel furniture into gym equipment ahead of the Australian Open, she’s been enjoying the luxury of five hours of outdoor daily practice and gym time.

If that gives the 20-year-old Slovenian any advantage over those colleagues who have fallen victim to the lottery of international travel in the Covid era, it won’t be the only reason she’ll go in to the first Grand Slam of 2021 with a little more expectation on her shoulders.

Juvan, top seed at the qualifying event in Dubai and the first to book a place in this year’s event, fell in the first round on her debut in Melbourne as a qualifier last year and, while she has won a round at all three of the other Grand Slams, there is a feeling – not least from within – that she’s ready to leave a considerably bigger imprint on the majors.

“I’m ready for this year to be the year when I get a lot of matches at a higher level and make a big step forward,” said Juvan in a call from her hotel room on Wednesday. “I’m growing up in a lot of ways, especially in tennis. Right now, I’m mentally at a place where I’m ready and I’m calm. I really believe in my tennis.”

Having graduated from the junior ranks in late 2018, the former junior world No. 5 still feels she is yet to play a full season on the tour. A global pandemic culled her intent to do so in 2020, but her desire to give her education prominence alongside her tennis development has also meant that she has been in no hurry. A patient character keen to put faith in the process, Juvan has a curious mind to satisfy too.

“I like studying and learning about new things, exploring other options,” she said. “I’m doing the Indiana University programme [connected to the WTA] and it’s not bothering my tennis. It’s only one class per semester. The teachers have been great - super nice and very understanding. They have assignments each week and work them round my schedule.”

Currently studying a number of rudimentary modules - including Spanish and English - before tackling psychology as a major, Juvan’s thirst for knowledge has served her well during quarantine in Melbourne.

“The time goes pretty quickly for me to be honest,” said Juvan. “I like spending time learning stuff. I’ve been reading more. I’ve been doing some more meditation. I think you can be upset about [the situation], or you can adjust to it. If that’s what it takes to play tournaments and have freedom after two weeks, then I’ll take it.”

It’s clear from our phone call that Juvan relishes every opportunity to play and compete. Like many, the global pandemic has given her fresh perspective and a desire to make the most of each day.

“I think it’s given me a lot of new views on things,” she admitted. “Not just on tennis, but everything. One year ago, when there were wildfires here, I was just super happy that we were still able to play.

“Then [with Covid], everything changed again. Everything we took for granted wasn’t there anymore. I was just really happy to be able to play some tournaments. Obviously here, once you’re able to come out of your room, you’re just really happy to be able to step on a court.

“I’m so lucky that the people around me are safe. No one got hurt. I know how many people are struggling right now. This year has been so tough on so many people. It’s made me more grateful for all the things that we would have called ‘normal’ last year. It’s super great to be happier about the simple things.”

Her level-headedness on the court can be attributed to her “amazing” support team. She began working with a mental coach - former player Tjasa Jezernik - in 2018 and spent over a decade with former coach Robi Coken.

The pair parted ways late last year after 12 years together – a sign, not of an unhappy camp, but of Juvan’s awareness that it was time for a change as she looks to step up another level.

“We went through a lot together and [parting company] was pretty hard, but I think I knew at some point that a change was best for my tennis,” said Juvan. “I needed new motivation.”

That has come in the form of Spanish coach Antonio Baldellou Esteva (“we’re getting along pretty well so far,” Juvan says), but she believes that Jezernik’s input is equally important.

“It’s really helpful to have someone to help with the mental side. She’s tough on me when she has to be. It’s not just about talking about the problem – it’s about finding the solutions to it. We use a lot of different techniques. Meditation, visualisation… ways to calm down.

“She’s really helped me a lot. Especially when I was a teenager.”

Those teenage days were an important stepping stone to where Juvan finds herself now – No. 104 in the world and on the cusp of a double digit ranking. As a junior, Juvan won a number of prestigious girls’ titles – including the Orange Bowl in 2016, the girls’ doubles at 2017 Wimbledon alongside Olga Danilovic, and both the singles and doubles events at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games. A certain Iga Swiatek was her partner in Argentina.

“The ITF junior tour helped me get a lot of opportunities to play and develop as a player,” she reflected. “It also showed me that I can play really good tennis. When I won the Orange Bowl, that was the moment that I decided to go pro.

“Juniors is a real introduction to professional tennis. Those experiences, getting big wins - winning doubles at Wimbledon and going to the Wimbledon gala, is something that gives you so much motivation. I always had this gradual process – everything happens when it has to happen. I’m really happy with the way it went.”

Juvan was one of 15 players to receive the first ITF Junior Player Grants in 2018 – designed to provide a financial boost to help juniors with their transition to the professional game. She remains just as appreciative of the support, three years on.

“Tennis is such a hard sport if you look at it financially,” she said. “I was so lucky to get into the programme with the ITF and it helped me a lot – especially at that point, when you’re struggling after juniors, starting on the pro tour and you’re not making any money.

“It’s really tough at that point, when you’re fighting to get a better ranking to play better tournaments. It’s so hard for players that don’t have financial stability. I know a lot of players who really want to play at a high level, train so hard, but maybe don’t have the same options that I did in my time.

“Everyone’s fighting, everyone’s struggling at some point. It’s why tennis is so tough, but it’s the beauty of the whole game. It’s not easy, but when you finally do achieve something, it makes you so much prouder of yourself.”