PLAYER PROFILE

Ajla Tomljanovic

  • Age30
  • Born 7 May 1993
  • Birth PlaceZagreb, Croatia
  • LivesBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
  • Height180 cm
  • PlaysRight-handed
  • Pro Since2009
FOLLOW
“When I was younger, I used to keep it all inside, because I thought it was weakness if I come out before a match and I'm like saying, oh guys, I'm really nervous. I thought that was the biggest crime to say.”

— Ajla Tomljanovic, 15 Nov 2022

» Mental shift helps Tomljanovic in career-best season

n court

  • Started playing tennis at age seven
  • Favourite shot is backhand and favourite surface is hard
  • Trained during her teenage years at the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Florida
  • Best tennis memory was her first experience on court with Chris Evert
  • Career goal is to be ranked No.1 in the world
  • Upset No.3 seed Agnieszka Radwanska en route to the fourth round at Roland Garros in 2014
  • Reached first career WTA final in Pattaya City, Thailand in 2015
  • Missed most of 2016 with a shoulder injury; made a triumphant return in 2017 with an upset win over World No.13 Elena Vesnina at the Miami Open
  • Continued her resurgence in 2018, reaching two WTA finals (Rabat, Seoul) and returning to the top 50
  • Debuted in Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup team for the 2019 final against France in Perth
  • Made first Grand Slam singles quarterfinal at Wimbledon 2021
  • Made Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, reaching the second round
  • In 2022, became the first Australian woman since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1979 to reach Wimbledon and US Open singles quarterfinals in the same season
  • Underwent knee surgery in January 2023 and was sidelined for nine months.

Off court

  • Speaks Croatian, English and German
  • Family includes father Ratko, mother Emina and sister Hana
  • Also has family in the United States; favourite city to visit is Charlotte, North Carolina, where they live
  • Favourite movie is The Hangover and favourite actor is Robert Pattinson
  • Enjoys watching other sports including basketball and football
  • Enjoys hip hop music; Beyonce is her favourite artist.

Year-end rankings history

2023 549
2022 33
2021 45
2020 68
2019 51
2018 43
2017 151
2016 937
2015 66
2014 63
2013 78
2012 453
2011 145
2010 157
2009 353
2008 973

Ajla Tomljanovic in the news

Ranking movers: Aussies rewarded for efforts at Australian Open 2024
Matt Ebden, Storm Hunter and Jordan Thompson.
29 January, 2024

Matt Ebden, Storm Hunter and Jordan Thompson are among the Aussies on the rise in the latest world rankings.
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Aussie teen Taylah Preston qualifies at Thailand Open
Taylah Preston. Picture: Tennis Australia
28 January, 2024

Australian Taylah Preston has completed a successful qualifying campaign at a WTA 250 tournament in Hua Hin.
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Tomjlanovic: “I feel like I’m on the right track”
Ajla Tomljanovic speaks to media at Australian Open 2024. Picture: Tennis Australia
19 January, 2024

Ajla Tomljanovic is feeling confident she can return to the top of the game following an encouraging performance at Australian Open 2024.
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Aussie favourites look to continue winning runs at Australian Open 2024
Alex de Minaur and Storm Hunter lead the Aussie charge on day six at Australian Open 2024.
18 January, 2024

Alex de Minaur and Storm Hunter are among 27 Aussies scheduled to compete on day six at Australian Open 2024.
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