Ajla Tomljanović is an Australian professional tennis player, born on May 7, 1993, in Zagreb, Croatia.
She started playing tennis at the age of six and later trained at the prestigious Evert Tennis Academy in Florida.
Initially representing Croatia, Tomljanović switched to play for Australia in 2014 after obtaining permanent residency and became an Australian citizen in 2018.
Tomljanović has achieved significant milestones including winning the 2009 Australian Open girls’ doubles title and reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 32 on April 3, 2023.
In recent years, Tomljanović has continued to demonstrate her competitive spirit.
In November 2023, she secured her first WTA 125 tournament title in Florianópolis and finished the 2024 season with a ranking of No. 33 after recovering from knee surgery earlier that year.
Siblings
Ajla has one sibling, an elder sister named Hana Tomljanović. Hana also played tennis and represented the University of Virginia during her collegiate career.
The two sisters began playing tennis together at a young age, with Ajla starting the sport at six years old, inspired by Hana’s involvement in tennis.
Hana has since transitioned away from competitive play, with her last recorded match occurring in 2009 against Katarina Kachlikova at an ITF event in Florida.
Despite stepping back from professional tennis, Hana remains supportive of Ajla’s career and often attends various tennis events alongside her sister, highlighting the close bond they share.
Career
Tomljanović’s professional tennis career began with her representing Croatia, where she quickly showed promise.
During this initial phase, she primarily competed on the ITF Women’s Circuit, securing multiple singles and doubles titles, which provided crucial experience and built her ranking as she prepared to transition to the WTA Tour.
In 2014, Tomljanović made a pivotal decision to switch her allegiance to Australia, a move that required her to gain residency and eventual citizenship.
While she could participate in tournaments under the Australian flag, she wasn’t eligible to represent Australia in team events like the Billie Jean King Cup or the Olympics until she became a citizen.
The period between 2015 and 2020 saw Tomljanović consistently competing in WTA Tour events, gradually enhancing her ranking.
These years were marked by tough competition and a focus on refining her skills against top-tier players.
Also Read: Erin Routliffe Siblings: Get to Know Tara and Tess
She became a regular participant in Grand Slam tournaments, gaining invaluable experience in high-pressure environments.
Although major breakthroughs eluded her during this time, her consistent performances and appearances in quarterfinal and semifinal rounds at WTA tournaments showcased her ability to compete at a high level, honing her aggressive playing style, characterized by a powerful backhand.
The years 2021 to 2023 marked a significant turning point in Tomljanović’s career.
At the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, she reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, a breakthrough that underscored her ability to perform under pressure on the grandest stages.
In 2022, at the US Open, she achieved another career highlight by defeating Serena Williams in the third round, a memorable victory due to the significance of facing a legend and the emotional context of what was believed to be Williams’ final tournament.
The consistency of her performances throughout 2022 and early 2023 propelled her to a career-high singles ranking of No. 32 in the world by April 2023.
In recent years, particularly from 2024 onward, Tomljanović has demonstrated remarkable resilience.
After undergoing knee surgery in early 2023, she faced a challenging recovery period but successfully returned to competition, showcasing her unwavering determination.
She secured her first WTA 125 title in Florianópolis in November 2023, highlighting her successful comeback and continued ability to compete at a high level.
Accolades
Tomljanović reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 32 on April 3, 2023, and peaked at No. 47 in doubles on January 5, 2015.
In terms of titles, Tomljanović has won four singles and three doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit.
Notably, she secured her first WTA 125 tournament victories in November 2023 in Florianópolis and in 2024 at the Hong Kong event.
Her performances in Grand Slam tournaments have also been significant; she reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in both 2021 and 2022, as well as at the US Open in 2022.
Tomljanović’s junior career was impressive as well; she won the 2009 Australian Open girls’ doubles title alongside Christina McHale and achieved a combined career-high junior ranking of world No. 4 on March 30, 2009.
Additionally, she represented Australia in the Billie Jean King Cup and participated in the Tokyo Summer Olympics, further showcasing her commitment to her sport.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
