Few settings evoke happier memories for Ajla Tomljanovic than the All England Club.
As a back-to-back Wimbledon quarterfinalist in 2021 and 2022, Tomljanovic recorded wins over Jelena Ostapenko and Barbora Krejcikova before falling to the eventual champion on each occasion – Ash Barty in an all-Australian showdown in 2021 and Elena Rybakina the following year.
“I’m so comfortable on the surface,” Tomljanovic told media ahead of the 2026 Championships. “I've had moments here where I really doubted myself and came through … there's that muscle memory. I do believe it and I remember it.”
Recent results have only reinforced those feelings as the 33-year-old prepares for a 10th main-draw Wimbledon campaign.
“I kind of come into this [year’s tournament] with really good vibes … this is the place where I really believe that I can on the day produce some of my best.”
Tomljanovic beat three higher-ranked opponents to reach the s-Hertogenbosch semifinals then backed up by qualifying for Eastbourne and winning her first main-draw match.
It sees Tomljanovic restored inside the world’s top 100 after a brief dip outside that upper echelon and feeling confident as she prepares to take on Georgian qualifier Mariam Bolkvadze in her opening match.
“She’s won three matches … playing a qualifier in a Slam is dangerous,” Tomljanovic conceded of the left-hander, who will make her main-draw debut at world No.539.
“But I’ve also had some good matches on grass coming in, and in a way, I’m excited to play someone new.”
> RELATED: Joint handed Serena showdown as Aussies learn Wimbledon draws
Tomljanovic – one of 13 Australians who’ll contest the singles main draws at Wimbledon – is not the only Australian who has built pleasing grasscourt momentum in recent weeks.
At the same time last year, Talia Gibson was a world No.126 who gained main-draw entry via qualifying.
In 2026, the West Australian arrives with a top-60 ranking and with a win over former world No.4 Zheng Qinwen – to reach the Nottingham quarterfinals – on her grasscourt record.
“It’s really exciting. Direct entry into the Slams now is really awesome for me,” she said.
So too is Gibson’s growing experience, with the world No.56 feeling a sense of calm ahead of her Wimbledon opener against No.21 seed Marie Bouzkova, who she pushed to three sets in their only other meeting at Brisbane earlier this year.
“The number of bigger names that I've played now and the more experience that I've had playing some bigger matches, I think – yeah, I'm just able to go into these matches more calm now and able to kind of put the occasion aside and just focus on the match itself,” Gibson said.
Kimberly Birrell’s second main-draw campaign at Wimbledon is also accompanied by some high-profile recent victories.
After upsetting Jessica Pegula to claim a first win over a top-five opponent at Roland Garros, the Queenslander underlined her grasscourt ability by stunning 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova at Eastbourne.
The world No.73 is buoyed to see recent improvements translate from practice to match scenarios. “That’s a really exciting feeling and it definitely gives me a lot of confidence as I face more high quality opponents in these bigger tournaments,” Birrell said.
Countryman Alex de Minaur, the men’s No.5 seed this Wimbledon, equally appreciates the boost provided by recent wins.
Grass courts are a happy place for the 27-year-old who arrives at the All England Club having recently contested a fourth final on the surface in s-Hertogenbosch.
De Minaur was also a quarterfinalist at Queen’s – where he contested another of those grass court finals in 2024 – adding confidence as he prepares for a first career meeting with world No.66 Argentine Roman Andres Burruchaga.
“It's always a part of the year which I feel refreshed and energised, and I feel kind of quite happy because things start to make sense quite quickly on the grass for me,” said De Minaur, who is aiming to improve on his best Wimbledon performance as a quarterfinalist two years ago.
“I think it suits my game style. There's been some good tennis being played. I think the game is trending in the right direction. And [I’m] obviously very excited to be here at Wimbledon and looking forward to hopefully being here for a while.”
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So too is Rinky Hijikata, who came through qualifying and stunned 2024 finalist Jiri Lehecka to reach this year’s Queen’s quarterfinals. It adds valuable self-belief as he prepares to contest Wimbledon’s main draw for a third time.
“I’m feeling good. Always love the grass season,” he said. “I love being back in the UK, back in London playing here. I feel comfortable. I feel at home here and ready to go.”
Other Australians building momentum ahead of the 2026 Championships include Dane Sweeny, who will contest his first Grand Slam outside Australia as a qualifier.
Adam Walton gained valuable match play after qualifying for Mallorca and beating Nick Kyrgios in the first round.
There’s also belief that’s built through Australians supporting each other – as Maya Joint, who faces seven-time champion Serena Williams in arguably the most high-profile first round, has discovered in recent days.
“I think [the key] is really just to also not overthink it,” said Tomljanovic of the advice she’d give of her younger countrywoman ahead of the blockbuster encounter.
“Treat it as a regular match, but don't forget to also be aware of how cool the moment is."
As a two-time quarterfinalist, Tomljanovic knows better than most how Australians can thrive at Wimbledon. And judging by the recent form of Australians on grass, she won't be the only one arriving at the All England Club believing a deep run is possible.
Aussies in action: Wimbledon
COMING UP - Day 1
Women’s singles, first round
Daria Kasatkina (AUS) v [WC] Mimi Xu (GBR)
Men’s singles, first round
Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) v Jenson Brooksby (USA)
Adam Walton (AUS) v Dino Prizmic (CRO)
Rinky Hijikata (AUS) v Jesper de Jong (NED)
COMING UP - Day 2
Women’s singles, first round
Maya Joint (AUS) v [WC] Serena Williams (USA)
Talia Gibson (AUS) v [21] Marie Bouzkova (CZE)
Kimberly Birrell (AUS) v [Q] Alina Korneeva
Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) v [Q] Mariam Bolkvadze (GEO)
Men’s singles, first round
[8] Alex de Minaur (AUS) v Roman Andres Burruchaga (ARG)
James Duckworth (AUS) v Tallon Griekspoor (NED)
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v [13] Jiri Lehecka (CZE)
[Q] Dane Sweeny (AUS) v [WC] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) v [10] Alexander Bublik (KAZ)