There’s a quiet confidence and a growing sense of belonging as Ajla Tomljanovic prepares to contest a Wimbledon quarterfinal for the second straight year.
London, Great Britain, 6 July 2022 | Vivienne Christie
For all the glamour associated with the travelling life of a professional player, it can also be hard work. Just ask Ajla Tomljanovic, whose father has been frantically rebooking her London accommodation this week.
Having originally scheduled a checkout last Friday, Tomljanovic moved hotels after her third-round Wimbledon win over Barbora Krejcikova. When she overcame Alize Cornet to reach the quarterfinals, another extension was required.
“I told him, ‘Listen, I’m not moving from this hotel until I’m out of the tournament. Whatever you got to do, you do it …even if I have to share the room with a stranger, I’m not leaving’,” Tomljanovic laughed.
Still, the good-natured Australian noted, “it’s a good problem to have.”
Indeed, with progress to the final eight for the second straight year at The Championships, the grass-court tournament is now her most successful Slam and she is the first Australian woman to reach back-to-back Wimbledon quarterfinals in 22 years.
Ajla Tomljanovic is the first Australian woman in 22 years to reach back-to-back #Wimbledon singles quarterfinals 👏#GoAussies https://t.co/aALOCzIHBr
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) July 4, 2022
It adds to world No.44 Tomljanovic’s sometimes shaky belief that she belongs at the top of the sport.
“Coming in, you’re not seeded so you don’t know what can happen,” said the 29-year-old Tomljanovic after her fourth-round victory over world No.14 Krejcikova.
“I don’t know what really my form was coming in … I just knew that I could produce good tennis, but actually doing it, it feels really nice. Just kind of confirms that, you know, I maybe belong here.”
Tomljanovic’s recent form at The Championships would certainly reflect as much. In her past two match wins, over Krejcikova and Cornet, the Australian has recovered from a first-set loss.
A successful two-hour, 35-minute battle against Cornet, who earlier stunned world No.1 Iga Swiatek, reflects the more pleasing mentality that Tomljanovic has established in recent years.
“When we started playing, she was playing at a really high level. Sometimes I can feel that I’m more on edge. When I miss a point, I’m tougher on myself. It takes more energy out of…
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