Ajla Tomljanović

Ajla Tomljanović (/ˈaɪlə təmˈjɑːnəvɪtʃ/ EYE-lə təm-YAH-nə-vitch; Croatian: ; born 7 May 1993) is a Croatian-born Australian professional tennis player.

She has won four singles and three doubles titles on the ITF Circuit. On 1 April 2019, she reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 39. On 5 January 2015, she peaked at No. 47 in the doubles rankings. Tomljanović was an accomplished junior player, having won the 2009 Australian Open girls’ doubles title with Christina McHale. She reached a combined career-high junior ranking of world No. 4 on 30 March 2009.

Tomljanović began competing for Australia at the 2014 US Open, after having obtained permanent residency in Australia. For the next four years she was required to represent Croatia at all non-Grand Slam events, until she was granted Australian citizenship in January 2018, allowing her to represent the country at all events on the WTA Tour.

Personal life

Tomljanović was born to Croatian father Ratko (winner of the 1992 and 1993 handball European Cup) and Bosniak mother Emina. She was born in Zagreb. Her elder sister Hana played tennis for University of Virginia. She began playing tennis at the age of six and moved to Florida for training when she was 13. She is coached by Fernando Martínez and Rene Gomez. She is also a fan of basketball. Tomljanović became an Australian citizen in January 2018. Since August 2019, she has been in a relationship with Italian tennis player Matteo Berrettini.

Tennis career

Junior years

Tomljanović won the 2009 Australian Open girls’ doubles title with Christina McHale defeating Aleksandra Krunić and Sandra Zaniewska in the final.

Professional career

Tomljanović played her first professional ITF Circuit event in October 2008 in Mexico City, and lost to Estefanía Craciún in the semifinals. She then qualified for another ITF event in Mexico City, but lost to Karolina Kosińska in the second round. In January 2009, she qualified for the ITF event in Boca Raton, Florida, where she lost to Heidi El Tabakh in the second round. Tomljanović was awarded a wildcard for 2009 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, and lost to Angela Haynes. Tomljanović then made a chain of three consecutive losses in the second rounds, at the ITF tournaments in Redding, California, Osprey, Florida, and Makarska, Croatia, losing to, respectively Rika Fujiwara, Kateřina Kramperová and Ana Savić. At the ITF event in Zagreb, she lost to Tereza Hladíková in the first round. On 10 May 2009 in Zagreb, she won her first ITF doubles title, partnering with Croatian fellow Petra Martić.

Tomljanović missed most of 2012 due to mononucleosis.

2014: Top 50 breakthrough

During the preseason, Tomljanović began working with coach David Taylor, former Australian Fed Cup captain, who had just parted company with Samantha Stosur.

She started the year at the Shenzhen Open where she lost in the first round to eighth seed Annika Beck. Tomljanović then played as a wildcard at the Apia International Sydney. She beat former world No. 5, Daniela Hantuchová, in the first round. She then was defeated in the second round by Madison Keys, in three sets. Ranked 67 at the Australian Open, Tomljanović defeated Tadeja Majerič in the first round. In the second round, she lost to 13th seed Sloane Stephens in a three-setter.

She lost at the Pattaya Open in the first round to qualifier Alla Kudryavtseva, in straight sets. At the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, she reached the quarterfinals by beating fourth seed Magdaléna Rybáriková and qualifier Victoria Duval. However, she lost in the quarterfinals to eighth seed Zhang Shuai. At the BNP Paribas Open, she lost in the second round to 17th seed Sloane Stephens. Tomljanović reached the third round at the Sony Open Tennis by defeating Kristina Mladenovic and 30th seed Garbiñe Muguruza. She ended up not passing the third round since she lost to American Varvara Lepchenko, in three sets.

Tomljanović started clay-court season at the Charleston Open. In the first round, she upset last year semifinalist Stefanie Vögele. In the second round, she got revenge on 16th seed Zhang Shuai. In the third round, she lost to second seed Jelena Janković. After Charleston, Tomljanović played qualifying at the Porsche Grand Prix where she was the third seed. She qualified by beating Carina Witthöft, Sachia Vickery, and fifth seed Mona Barthel. In the first round, Tomljanović was defeated by Alisa Kleybanova. Seeded 13th for qualifying at the Madrid Open, Tomljanović lost in the first round of qualifying to Katarzyna Piter. Seeded 15th for qualifying at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, she was defeated in the second round of qualifying by Chanelle Scheepers, 6–2, 6–0. Playing in her final tournament before the French Open at the Internationaux de Strasbourg, Tomljanović lost in the second round to Zarina Diyas. Ranked 72 at the French Open, she got her tournament run to a great start by upsetting 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone in the first round. In the second round, she upset 32nd seed Elena Vesnina, in two sets. Then she stunned third seed Agnieszka Radwańska to advance to the fourth round for the first time in her career, where her run came to an end when she lost to 14th seed Carla Suárez Navarro. Her best showing at the French Open improved her ranking from 72 to 51.

Tomljanović started on grass at the Aegon Classic where she lost in the first round to Mona Barthel. Seeded third for qualifying at the Aegon International, she lost in the final round of qualifying to seventh seed Francesca Schiavone, 7–6, 0–6, 6–7. Ranked 53 at Wimbledon, Tomljanović was defeated in the first round by Heather Watson.

In her first-round match at the Gastein Ladies, she retired trailing 6–3, 3–0 to qualifier Ana Bogdan.

Tomljanović began her US Open series at the Bank of the West Classic. She was defeated in the first round by eighth seed Andrea Petkovic. Receiving a wildcard to play in the main draw at the Rogers Cup, she lost in the first round to qualifier Shelby Rogers. Seeded 11th for qualifying at the Western & Southern Open, Tomljanović lost in the first round of qualifying to Julia Görges. Ranked 55 at the US Open, she was defeated in the first round by 15th seed Carla Suárez Navarro.

Seeded second at the Coupe Banque Nationale, Tomljanović lost in the second round to Andrea Hlaváčková, in three sets. Seeded 15th for qualifying at the first edition of the Wuhan Open, she lost in the first round of qualifying to Donna Vekić, 7–6, 2–6, 4–6. Seeded ninth for qualifying at the China Open, she lost in the final round of qualifying to fourth seed Tsvetana Pironkova. Seeded eighth at the first edition of the Tianjin Open, Tomljanović reached the quarterfinals defeating qualifier Nadiia Kichenok and Duan Yingying. In the quarterfinals, she lost to second seed Peng Shuai. Tomljanović played her final tournament of the year at the Kremlin Cup. She defeated Alexandra Panova in the first round. In the second round, she was defeated by fourth seed Lucie Šafářová.

Tomljanović ended the season ranked 63.

2015: First WTA final

She started new season at the Brisbane International which she entered as a wildcard. In the first round, she scored the biggest win of her career, defeating former world No. 1 and sixth seed, Jelena Janković, in straight sets. She saved two set points in the first set tiebreak on her way to her first-round victory. In the second round, she lost to Elina Svitolina. In the Hobart International, Tomljanović was defeated in the first round by Karin Knapp. At the Australian Open, she lost in the second round to 30th seed Varvara Lepchenko.

At the Thailand Open, Tomljanović reached her first WTA Tour final; however, in the championship match she was defeated by Daniela Hantuchová. As a result of her performance she rose to world No. 49. Seeded tenth at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, she lost in the first round to Magdaléna Rybáriková. In March, Tomljanović competed at the BNP Paribas Open. She was defeated in the first round by American wildcard Irina Falconi. Playing at the Miami Open, she lost in the first round to Kurumi Nara.

Tomljanović began her clay-court season at the Family Circle Cup where she was defeated in the second round by Andreea Mitu. Seeded third at the Copa Colsanitas, Tomljanović lost in the first round to Alexandra Panova. At the Madrid Open, she was defeated in the second round by former world number one, Victoria Azarenka. She then attempted to qualify for the Italian Open but lost in the final round to Misaki Doi. Tomljanović played her final tournament before the French Open at the Internationaux de Strasbourg. She reached the quarterfinals where she was defeated by third seed and eventual champion, Sam Stosur. At the French Open, Tomljanović lost in the second round to 11th seed Angelique Kerber.

She began grass-court season at the first edition of the Aegon Open Nottingham. As the eighth seed, she was defeated in the first round by Lauren Davis. At the Aegon Classic, Tomljanović lost in the first round to British wildcard Naomi Broady. Tomljanović was defeated in the second round of qualifying at the Aegon International to Irina Falconi. At Wimbledon, Tomljanović lost in the second round to 13th seed and 2012 finalist, Agnieszka Radwańska.

Seeded second at the Brasil Tennis Cup, she was defeated in the second round by Tereza Martincová.

Tomljanović started the US Open Series at the Bank of the West Classic. She advanced to the quarterfinal defeating Vitalia Diatchenko and seventh seed Madison Keys. She lost her quarterfinal match to fourth seed and eventual finalist, Karolína Plíšková. At the Rogers Cup, she was defeated in the final round of qualifying by Irina Falconi. At the US Open, Tomljanović lost in the first round to Karin Knapp.

Seeded seventh at the Japan Open, she reached the semifinals where she was defeated by Yanina Wickmayer. At the Korea Open, Tomljanović lost in the first round to Japanese wildcard Kimiko Date-Krumm. Despite qualifying for the Wuhan Open, she was defeated in the first round by 11th seed Belinda Bencic. Tomljanović played her final tournament of the year at the China Open. She retired in her final round of qualifying match against Yulia Putintseva.

Tomljanović ended the year ranked 66.

2016: Shoulder injury

At the Brisbane International, she received a wildcard entry into the main draw and lost in the first round to sixth seed Carla Suárez Navarro. At the Australian Open, she was defeated in the first round by Kateryna Bondarenko.

In February, Tomljanović underwent shoulder surgery, side-lining her for the rest of the season.

She ended the season ranked 930.

2017: Return from shoulder injury

Tomljanović returned to competitive play in February at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel. She won her first match since her return by upsetting sixth seed Eugenie Bouchard in the first round, 7–6, 6–1. In the second round, she retired after losing the first set 5–7 to Kirsten Flipkens due to a right shoulder injury. Ranked 664 at the BNP Paribas Open, she lost in the first round to Julia Görges. Playing as a wildcard at the Miami Open, Tomljanović had her second win of the season defeating lucky loser Magda Linette in the first round. Then, she stunned 13th seed and last week winner at Indian Wells, Elena Vesnina, in three sets. In the third round, she lost to Lucie Šafářová. As a wildcard at the Revolution Technologies Pro Tennis Classic, Tomljanović lost in the first round to American wildcard Victoria Duval.

Competing as a wildcard at the Boyd Tinsley Clay Court Classic, Tomljanović advanced to the semifinals where she lost to Caroline Dolehide. At the LTP Charleston Pro Tennis, Tomljanović retired after losing the first set 4–6 to top seed Madison Brengle due to a hip injury. She competed in her final tournament before the French Open at the Nürnberger Versicherungscup and lost in the first round to Kirsten Flipkens. Ranked 311 at the French Open, she was defeated in the first round by 18th seed and last-year semifinalist Kiki Bertens.

Receiving a wildcard to play at the Bol Open, Tomljanović lost in the first round to eighth seed Maria Sakkari.

At the Bank of the West Classic, she retired in her first-round match due to a shoulder injury, after losing the first set 2–6 to sixth seed CoCo Vandeweghe.

After a first-round win over Johanna Larsson at the US Open, she lost in the second round to Aleksandra Krunić.

Tomljanović ended the season ranked 151.

2018: Australian citizen

She commenced the new season at the Brisbane International defeating Destanee Aiava but lost in the second round to Johanna Konta. Tomljanović lost in the first round of the Australian Open to Lucie Šafářová before reaching consecutive semifinals on the WTA 125K series at Newport Beach and Indian Wells.

Tomljanović reached the final in Rabat, where she lost to Elise Mertens. At the French Open, she lost to the fourth seed Elina Svitolina in the first round, losing a 5–1 lead in the first set.

At the US Open, Tomljanović lost in the second round to Katerina Siniakova despite having a match point. Shortly after, she put together a good stretch of form to reach the final in Seoul, which she lost in three sets to Kiki Bertens.

2019

Tomljanović began season at the Brisbane International. She made it to the quarterfinals where she lost to fifth seed and eventual champion, Karolína Plíšková. In Sydney at the Sydney International, she was defeated in the first round by Camila Giorgi. At the Australian Open, she lost in a first-round thriller to Johanna Konta.

Seeded sixth at the Thailand Open, Tomljanović reached the final in which she lost to eighth seed Dayana Yastremska; leading 5–2 in the final set, she couldn’t close out the match. Coming through qualifying at the Qatar Open, Tomljanović lost in the first round to ninth seed Julia Görges. At the Dubai Championships, Tomljanović was defeated in the first round by Zheng Saisai. In March, she played at the BNP Paribas Open where she lost in the second round to ninth seed Aryna Sabalenka. At the Miami Open, Tomljanović upset ninth seed Sabalenka in the second round for her second career-win over a top-ten player. She was defeated in a third-round thriller by 21st seed Anett Kontaveit.

Tomljanović started clay-court season at the Charleston Open. Seeded 14th, she lost in the third round to top seed and 2016 champion, Sloane Stephens. Seeded fifth at the İstanbul Cup, she was defeated in the first round by eventual finalist Markéta Vondroušová.

2020

Tomljanović started season at the Brisbane International where she lost to second seed, defending and eventual champion, Karolína Plíšková, in the second round. Playing at the first edition of the Adelaide International, she was defeated in the second round by second seed Simona Halep. At the Australian Open, she lost in the second round to eventual finalist Garbiñe Muguruza.

At the St. Petersburg Trophy, Tomljanović was defeated in the second round by Russian qualifier Anastasia Potapova. At the Dubai Championships, she lost in the first round of qualifying to Bethanie Mattek-Sands. At the Qatar Open, Tomljanović was defeated in the second round by 11th seed Muguruza.

2021

Tomljanović reached the second round of the Australian Open.

Apparel and equipment

Tomljanović wears K-Swiss clothing and uses Wilson racquets. She was previously sponsored by Nike.

World TeamTennis

Tomljanovic made her World TeamTennis debut with the Vegas Rollers during the 2020 WTT season played at The Greenbrier.

Performance timelines

Only main-draw results in WTA Tour, Grand Slam tournaments, Fed Cup/Billie Jean King Cup and Olympic Games are included in win–loss records.

Singles

Current after the 2021 Miami Open.

Doubles

Notes

WTA career finals

Singles: 4 (4 runner-ups)

Result	W–L	Date	Tournament	Tier	Surface	Opponent	Score
Loss	0–1	Feb 2015	Pattaya Open, Thailand	International	Hard	Daniela Hantuchová	6–3, 3–6, 4–6
Loss	0–2	May 2018	Morocco Open	International	Clay	Elise Mertens	2–6, 6–7(4–7)
Loss	0–3	Sep 2018	Korea Open	International	Hard	Kiki Bertens	6–7(2–7), 6–4, 2–6
Loss	0–4	Feb 2019	Hua Hin Championships, Thailand	International	Hard	Dayana Yastremska	2–6, 6–2, 6–7(3–7)

ITF Circuit finals

Singles: 14 (4 titles, 10 runner–ups)

Result	W–L	Date	Tournament	Tier	Surface	Opponent	Score
Loss	0–1	Nov 2009	ITF Puebla, Mexico	25,000	Hard	Naomi Broady	6–7(4–7), 3–6
Win	1–1	Jan 2010	ITF Plantation, United States	25,000	Clay	Johanna Larsson	6–3, 6–3
Loss	1–2	Apr 2010	ITF Pelham, United States	25,000	Clay	Edina Gallovits	2–6, 0–6
Loss	1–3	May 2010	Sparta Prague Open, Czech Republic	50,000	Clay	Lucie Hradecká	1–6, 6–7(4–7)
Win	2–3	Mar 2011	ITF Clearwater, United States	25,000	Hard	Sesil Karatantcheva	7–6(7–3), 6–3
Loss	2–4	Apr 2011	ITF Jackson, United States	25,000	Clay	Marina Erakovic	1–6, 2–6
Win	3–4	May 2011	ITF Grado, Italy	25,000	Clay	Alexandra Cadanţu	6–2, 6–4
Loss	3–5	Jan 2013	Innisbrook Open, United States	25,000	Clay	Tadeja Majerič	2–6, 3–6
Loss	3–6	Feb 2013	Dow Tennis Classic, United States	100,000	Hard (i)	Lauren Davis	3–6, 6–2, 6–7(2–7)
Win	4–6	Apr 2013	Hardee’s Pro Classic, United States	50,000	Clay	Zhang Shuai	2–6, 6–4, 6–3
Loss	4–7	Oct 2013	Classic of Macon, United States	25,000	Hard	Anna Tatishvili	2–6, 6–1, 5–7
Loss	4–8	Jul 2017	Gold River Challenger, United States	60,000	Hard	Amanda Anisimova	w/o
Loss	4–9	Nov 2017	Waco Showdown, United States	80,000	Hard	Taylor Townsend	3–6, 6–2, 2–6
Loss	4–10	Dec 2017	Al Habtoor Challenge, United Arab Emirates	100,000+H	Hard	Belinda Bencic	4–6, ret.

Doubles: 4 (3 titles, 1 runner–up)

Result	W–L	Date	Tournament	Tier	Surface	Partner	Opponents	Score
Win	1–0	May 2009	Zagreb Open, Croatia	50,000	Clay	Petra Martić	Ksenia Milevskaya  Anastasia Pivovarova	6–3, 6–7(4),
Loss	1–1	Oct 2011	ITF Kansas City, United States	50,000	Hard	Jamie Hampton	Maria Abramović  Eva Hrdinová	2–6, 6–2, 6–4
Win	2–1	Oct 2011	ITF Bayamon, Puerto Rico	25,000	Hard	Chanel Simmonds	Victoria Duval  Alexandra Kiick	6–3, 6–1
Win	3–1	Nov 2011	Goldwater Classic, United States	75,000	Hard	Jamie Hampton	Maria Sanchez  Yasmin Schnack	3–6, 6–3, 6–3

Junior Grand Slam finals

Girls’ doubles: 1 (1 title)

Result	Year	Tournament	Surface	Partner	Opponents	Score
Win	2009	Australian Open	Hard	Christina McHale	Aleksandra Krunić  Sandra Zaniewska	6–1, 2–6,

WTA Tour career earnings

As of 1 March 2021

Top 10 wins per season

#	Player	Rank	Event	Surface	Rd	Score
2014
1.	Agnieszka Radwańska	No. 3	French Open	Clay	3R	6–4, 6–4
2019
2.	Aryna Sabalenka	No. 9	Miami Open, U.S.	Hard	2R	6–3, 6–4
3.	Kiki Bertens	No. 8	Zhengzhou Open, China	Hard	2R	6–4, 7–6(1)