Ajla Tomljanović
Ajla Tomljanović is a Croatian-born Australian professional tennis player.
She has won four singles and three doubles titles on the ITF Women's Circuit. On 1 April 2019, she reached her 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 her 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 on 7 May 1993 to Croatian father Ratko and Bosniak mother Emina. She was born and raised in Zagreb. Her elder sister Hana played tennis for University of Virginia. She began playing tennis at the age of six and 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/Sandra Zaniewska in the final 6–1, 2–6, .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 wild card 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, Tomljanović 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.Tomljanović started the year at the Shenzhen Open. She lost in the first round to eighth seed Annika Beck 3–6, 4–6. Tomljanović then played as a wildcard at the Apia International Sydney. She beat former world No. 5 Daniela Hantuchová in the first round 6–4, 7–5. She then was defeated in the second round by Madison Keys 6–0, 3–6, 7–6. Ranked 67 at the Australian Open, Tomljanović defeated Tadeja Majerič in the first round 3–6, 7–6, 6–4. In the second round, she lost to 13th seed Sloane Stephens 6–3, 2–6, 5–7.
Tomljanović lost at the PTT Pattaya Open in the first round to qualifier Alla Kudryavtseva 4–6, 5–7. 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 1–6, 7–5, 2–6. At the BNP Paribas Open, she lost in the second round to 17th seed Sloane Stephens 4–6, 0–6. Tomljanović reached the third round at the Sony Open Tennis by defeating Kristina Mladenovic 7–6, 6–4 and 30th seed Garbiñe Muguruza 3–6, 7–6, 6–1. She ended up not passing the third round since she lost to American Varvara Lepchenko 4–6, 7–6, 6–7.
Tomljanović started her clay-court season at the Family Circle Cup. In the first round, she upset last year semifinalist Stefanie Vögele 6–7, 6–1, 7–5. In the second round, she got revenge on 16th seed Zhang Shuai 4–6, 7–6, 6–3. In the third round, she lost to second seed Jelena Janković 5–7, 1–6. After Charleston, Tomljanović played qualifying at the Porsche Tennis 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 6–2, 6–4. Seeded 13th for qualifying at the Madrid Open, Tomljanović lost in the first round of qualifying to Katarzyna Piter 6–1, 5–7, 6–7. 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 4–6, 6–7. Ranked 72 at the French Open, Tomljanović got her tournament run to a great start by upsetting 2010 French Open Champion Francesca Schiavone in the first round 6–3, 6–3. In the second round, she upset 32nd seed Elena Vesnina 7–6, 6–2. Then she stunned third seed Agnieszka Radwańska 6–4, 6–4 to advance to the fourth round of the French Open for the first time in her career, where her run came to an end when she lost to 14th seed Carla Suárez Navarro 3–6, 3–6. Her best showing at the French Open improved her ranking from 72 to 51.
Tomljanović started her grass-court season at the Aegon Classic. She lost in the first round to Mona Barthel 1–6, 4–6. 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 6–3, 6–2.
Playing at the Gastein Ladies, Tomljanović retired in her first-round match 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 6–1, 6–4. Receiving a wild card to play in the main draw at the Rogers Cup, she lost in the first round to qualifier Shelby Rogers 4–6, 6–7. Seeded 11th for qualifying at the Western & Southern Open, Tomljanović lost in the first round of qualifying to Julia Görges 0–6, 6–4, 4–6. Ranked 55 at the US Open, she was defeated in the first round by 15th seed Carla Suárez Navarro 3–6, 6–2, 6–1.
Seeded second at the Coupe Banque Nationale, Tomljanović lost in the second round to Andrea Hlaváčková 3–6, 6–3, 3–6. 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, Tomljanović lost in the final round of qualifying to fourth seed Tsvetana Pironkova 3–6, 1–6. Seeded eighth at the first edition of the Tianjin Open, Tomljanović reached the quarterfinals defeating qualifier Nadiia Kichenok 5–7, 6–1, 6–2 and Duan Yingying 6–4, 6–4. In the quarterfinals, she lost to second seed Peng Shuai 6–7, 6–2, 5–7. Tomljanović played her final tournament of the year at the Kremlin Cup. She defeated Alexandra Panova in the first round 6–4, 4–6, 6–3. In the second round, she was defeated by fourth seed Lucie Šafářová 7–6, 6–2.
Tomljanović ended the season ranked 63.
2015: First WTA final
Tomljanović started her 2015 at the Brisbane International which she entered as a wild-card. 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 Hobart at the Hobart International, Tomljanović was defeated in the first round by Karin Knapp. At the Australian Open, Tomljanović lost in the second round to thirtieth seed Varvara Lepchenko.In Thailand at the PTT Thailand Open, Tomljanović reached her first WTA Tour final; she was defeated in the championship match by Daniela Hantuchová. As a result of her performance she rose to world No. 49. Seeded tenth at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, Tomljanović 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 wild card Irina Falconi. Playing at the Miami Open, Tomljanović lost in the first round to Kurumi Nara.
Tomljanović began her clay-court season at the Family Circle Cup. 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. In Madrid at the Mutua Madrid Open, Tomljanović was defeated in the second round by former world number one Victoria Azarenka. She then attempted to qualify at the Italian Open but lost in the final round of qualifying to Misaki Doi. Tomljanović played her final tournament before the French Open at the Internationaux de Strasbourg. She reached the quarterfinal where she was defeated by third seed and eventual champion Sam Stosur. At the French Open, Tomljanović lost in the second round to eleventh seed Angelique Kerber.
Tomljanović began her 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 the Wimbledon Championships, Tomljanović lost in the second round to thirteenth seed and 2012 Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwańska.
Seeded second at the Brasil Tennis Cup, Tomljanović 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, Tomljanović was defeated in the final round of qualifying by Irina Falconi. In New York at the US Open, Tomljanović lost in the first round to Karin Knapp.
Seeded seventh at the Japan Women's Open, Tomljanović reached the semifinal 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, Tomljanović was defeated in the first round by eleventh 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
Tomljanović started the season at the Brisbane International. Receiving a wild-card entry into the main draw, she lost in the first round to sixth seed Carla Suárez Navarro. At the Australian Open, Tomljanović 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 5–7, 2–6. Playing as a wild card at the Miami Open, Tomljanović had her second win of the season defeating lucky loser Magda Linette in the first round 6–2, 1–6, 6–2. Then, she stunned 13th seed and last week winner at Indian Wells Elena Vesnina 3–6, 6–4, 7–5. In the third round, she lost to Lucie Šafářová 1–6, 3–6. As a wildcard at the Revolution Technologies Pro Tennis Classic, Tomljanović lost in the first round to American wild card Victoria Duval 6–7, 6–2, 3–6.Competing as a wild card at the Boyd Tinsley Women's Clay Court Classic, Tomljanović advanced to the semifinals where she lost to Caroline Dolehide 1–6, 6–7. 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. Tomljanović competed in her final tournament before the French Open at the Nürnberger Versicherungscup. She lost in the first round to Kirsten Flipkens 2–6, 6–4, 3–6. Ranked 311 at the French Open, she was defeated in the first round by 18th seed and last-year semifinalist Kiki Bertens 4–6, 6–1, 6–1.
Receiving a wild card to play at the Bol Open, Tomljanović lost in the first round to eighth seed Maria Sakkari 4–6, 6–4, 1–6.
At the Bank of the West Classic, Tomljanović retired in her first-round match after losing the first set 2–6 to sixth seed CoCo Vandeweghe due to a shoulder injury.
Tomljanović started her US Open campaign with a first-round win over Johanna Larsson, 7–5, 6–4. She lost in the second round to Aleksandra Krunić 3–6, 2–6.
Tomljanović ended the season ranked 151.
2018: Australian citizen
Tomljanović commenced the 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, Tomljanović 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 the season at the Brisbane International. She made it to the quarterfinal where she lost to fifth seed and eventual champion Karolína Plíšková. In Sydney at the Sydney International, Tomljanović was defeated in the first round by Camila Giorgi. At the Australian Open, Tomljanović lost in a first-round thriller to Johanna Konta.Seeded sixth at the Thailand Open, Tomljanović reached the final where she was defeated by eighth seed Dayana Yastremska. She had led 5-2 in the final set but couldn't close out the match. Coming through qualifying at the Qatar Total Open, Tomljanović lost in the first round to ninth seed Julia Görges. At the Dubai Tennis Championships, Tomljanović was defeated in the first round by Saisai Zheng. In March, Tomljanović played at the BNP Paribas Open. She lost in the second round to ninth seed Aryna Sabalenka. At the Miami Open, Tomljanović upset ninth seed Aryna Sabalenka in the second round for her second career win over a top ten player. She was defeated in a third round thriller by twenty-first seed Anett Kontaveit.
Tomljanović started her clay-court season at the Volvo Car Open. Seeded fourteenth, she lost in the third round to top seed and 2016 champion, Sloane Stephens. Seeded fifth at the İstanbul Cup, Tomljanović was defeated in the first round by eventual finalist Markéta Vondroušová.
2020
Tomljanović kicked off her 2020 season at the Brisbane International. She lost in the second round to second seed, defending champion, and eventual champion Karolína Plíšková. Playing at the first edition of the Adelaide International, Tomljanović was defeated in the second round by second seed Simona Halep. At the Australian Open, Tomljanović lost in the second round to eventual finalist Garbiñe Muguruza.In Russia at the St. Petersburg Ladies' Trophy, Tomljanović was defeated in the second round by Russian qualifier Anastasia Potapova. At the Dubai Tennis Championships, Tomljanović lost in the first round of qualifying to Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Playing in Doha at the Qatar Total Open, Tomljanović was defeated in the second round by eleventh seed Garbiñe Muguruza.
Apparel and equipment
Tomljanović wears K-Swiss clothing and uses Wilson racquets. She was previously sponsored by Nike.WTA career finals
Singles: 4 (4 runner-ups)
| Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Tier | Surface | Opponent | Score |
| Loss | 0–1 | 2015 PTT Thailand Open – Singles| | Pattaya Open, Thailand | International | Hard |  Daniela Hantuchová | 6–3, 3–6, 4–6 |
| Loss | 0–2 | 2018 Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem – Singles| | Morocco Open, Morocco | International | Clay |  Elise Mertens | 2–6, 6–7 |
| Loss | 0–3 | 2018 Korea Open – Singles| | Korea Open, South Korea | International | Hard |  Kiki Bertens | 6–7, 6–4, 2–6 |
| Loss | 0–4 | 2019 Thailand Open – Singles| | Hua Hin Championships, Thailand | International | Hard |  Dayana Yastremska | 2–6, 6–2, 6–7 |
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, 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 | ITF Prague, Czech Republic | 50,000 | Clay |  Lucie Hradecká | 1–6, 6–7 |
| Win | 2–3 | Mar 2011 | ITF Clearwater, United States | 25,000 | Hard |  Sesil Karatantcheva | 7–6, 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 | ITF Palm Harbor, United States | 25,000 | Clay |  Tadeja Majerič | 2–6, 3–6 |
| Loss | 3–6 | Feb 2013 | ITF Midland, United States | 100,000 | Hard |  Lauren Davis | 3–6, 6–2, 6–7 |
| Win | 4–6 | Apr 2013 | ITF Dothan, United States | 50,000 | Clay |  Zhang Shuai | 2–6, 6–4, 6–3 |
| Loss | 4–7 | Oct 2013 | ITF Macon, United States | 25,000 | Hard |  Anna Tatishvili | 2–6, 6–1, 5–7 |
| Loss | 4–8 | Jul 2017 | ITF Sacramento, United States | 60,000 | Hard | Amanda Anisimova | w/o |
| Loss | 4–9 | Nov 2017 | ITF Waco, United States | 80,000 | Hard | Taylor Townsend | 3–6, 6–2, 2–6 |
| Loss | 4–10 | Dec 2017 | ITF Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 100,000+H | Hard |  Belinda Bencic | 4–6, ret. |
Doubles: 4 (3 titles, 1 runner–up)
Junior Grand Slam finals
Girls' doubles: 1 (1 title)
Performance timelines
Only main-draw results in WTA Tour, Grand Slam tournaments, Fed Cup and Olympic Games are included in Win–Loss records.Singles
Current through the suspension of the 2020 WTA Tour.Notes
- WTA Tournament of Champions was held from 2009 to 2014, when WTA Elite Trophy replaced it.
- The first Premier 5 event of the year has switched back and forth between the Dubai Tennis Championships and the Qatar Open since 2009. Dubai was classified as a Premier 5 event from 2009–2011 before being succeeded by Doha for the 2012–2014 period. In 2015, Dubai regained its Premier 5 status while Doha was demoted to Premier status. The two tournaments have since alternated status every year.
- In 2014, the Pan Pacific Open was downgraded to a Premier event and replaced by the Wuhan Open.
Doubles