
“I don't think I've faced a more nerve-wracking moment in my life since the one in Perth. So it really put everything in perspective, and I felt like anything that will come my way after that will be a piece of cake.”
— Ajla Tomljanovic, 7 Apr 2025
» Tomljanovic better for Billie Jean King Cup experience
On 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
- Defeated four top-60 opponents to reach first grass-court final at Birmingham in June 2024. This was also Tomljanovic’s first tour-level final in more than five years
- Represented Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, playing singles and doubles (with Olivia Gadecki)
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
Perez: “Any time we play for Australia, it’s a big event”

8 April, 2025
Ellen Perez, Australia’s highest-ranked WTA doubles player, is feeling buoyant about the host nation’s prospects at the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers round in Brisbane.
Read moreEllen Perez, Australia’s highest-ranked WTA doubles player, is feeling buoyant about the host nation’s prospects at the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers round in Brisbane.
Ranking Movers: Gibson, Tomljanovic building momentum

8 April, 2025
Talia Gibson and Ajla Tomljanovic began their clay-court seasons in style, resulting in significant rises in this week's Ranking Movers.
Read moreTalia Gibson and Ajla Tomljanovic began their clay-court seasons in style, resulting in significant rises in this week's Ranking Movers.
Tomljanovic better for Billie Jean King Cup experience

7 April, 2025
Ajla Tomljanovic is playing her first Billie Jean King Cup tie at home since the 2019 final – a baptism of fire she credits for changing the course of her career.
Read moreAjla Tomljanovic is playing her first Billie Jean King Cup tie at home since the 2019 final – a baptism of fire she credits for changing the course of her career.
Aussie Watch: De Minaur to lead charge in Monte Carlo

7 April, 2025
Alex de Minaur is one of five Aussies competing in the Monte Carlo Masters this week, while the Australian women will vie for a Billie Jean King Cup finals spot in Brisbane.
Read moreAlex de Minaur is one of five Aussies competing in the Monte Carlo Masters this week, while the Australian women will vie for a Billie Jean King Cup finals spot in Brisbane.