Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ajla Tomljanović

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ajla Tomljanović made an impact.

Ajla Tomljanović is a Croatian-Australian professional tennis player who achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 32 in April 2023. She has also reached No. 47 in doubles. Tomljanović has secured four singles and three doubles titles on the ITF Women's Circuit. Notably, she won her first WTA 125 tournament in Florianópolis in November 2023 and followed it up with her second WTA 125 title in Hong Kong in October 2024.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

October 2008: First Professional ITF Circuit Event

In October 2008, Ajla Tomljanović played her first professional ITF Circuit event in Mexico City, losing in the semifinals to Estefanía Craciún.

January 2009: ITF Event in Boca Raton

In January 2009, Ajla Tomljanović qualified for the ITF event in Boca Raton, Florida, where she lost to Heidi El Tabakh in the second round.

March 2009: Career-High Junior Ranking

On March 30, 2009, Ajla Tomljanović reached a combined career-high junior ranking of world No. 4.

May 2009: First ITF Doubles Title

On May 10, 2009, in Zagreb, Ajla Tomljanović won her first ITF doubles title, partnering with Petra Martić.

2009: Australian Open Girls' Doubles Title

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

2010: French Open Upset Wins

At the French Open in 2010, ranked No. 72, Ajla Tomljanović upset Francesca Schiavone, Elena Vesnina, and Agnieszka Radwańska to reach the fourth round, where she lost to Carla Suárez Navarro. This improved her ranking to No. 51.

2012: Grass-Court Season

During the 2012 grass-court season, Ajla Tomljanović was defeated by Lauren Davis at the Nottingham Open, Naomi Broady at the Birmingham Classic, and Irina Falconi at the Eastbourne International. At Wimbledon, she lost to Agnieszka Radwańska in the second round.

2014: Began Competing for Australia

In 2014, Ajla Tomljanović began competing for Australia at the US Open after obtaining permanent residency. Before 2014, she played for Croatia.

2014: Permanent Residency in Brisbane

In 2014, Ajla Tomljanović took up permanent residency in Brisbane to be closer to her cousin and begin training at the Queensland Tennis Centre, switching allegiances to represent Australia in Grand Slams.

January 2015: Peak Doubles Ranking

On January 5, 2015, Ajla Tomljanović reached her peak doubles ranking of No. 47.

2015: Brisbane International and Australian Open

In 2015, Ajla Tomljanović started the season at the Brisbane International, defeating Jelena Janković, but losing to Elina Svitolina in the second round. She then lost to Karin Knapp in Hobart and to Varvara Lepchenko at the Australian Open.

2016: US Open Loss

At the US Open in 2016, Ajla Tomljanović lost in the first round to Angelique Kerber.

2016: Charleston Open and İstanbul Cup

In 2016, Ajla Tomljanović started the clay-court season at the Charleston Open, losing in the third round to Sloane Stephens. At the İstanbul Cup, she was defeated in the first round by Markéta Vondroušová.

2017: Clay-Court Season

In 2017, Ajla Tomljanović began her clay-court season at the Charleston Open, reaching the third round. She also played in the MUSC Health Women's Open, Madrid Open, Italian Open, Serbia Open, and French Open.

January 2018: Australian Citizenship

In January 2018, Ajla Tomljanović became an Australian citizen, allowing her to represent Australia at WTA Tour events and in the Fed Cup.

2018: Played Under Croatian Flag Until 2018

Until 2018, Ajla Tomljanović played under the Croatian flag.

April 2019: Career-High Ranking After Miami Open

After the Miami Open in April 2019, where Ajla Tomljanović upset Aryna Sabalenka and reached the third round, she achieved a career-high ranking of No. 39 on April 1, 2019.

2020: World TeamTennis Debut

In 2020, Ajla Tomljanović made her World TeamTennis debut with the Vegas Rollers during the WTT season played at The Greenbrier.

2020: Brisbane International, Adelaide International, Australian Open

In 2020, Ajla Tomljanović started the year at the Brisbane International, losing in the second round to Karolína Plíšková. At the Adelaide International, she was defeated by Simona Halep in the second round, and at the Australian Open, she lost to Garbiñe Muguruza in the second round.

2021: Abu Dhabi Open, Gippsland Trophy, Australian Open

In 2021, Ajla Tomljanović participated in the Abu Dhabi Open, losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the second round. She was defeated by Alizé Cornet at the Gippsland Trophy and lost to Simona Halep in the second round of the Australian Open.

2022: Adelaide International 1, Sydney, Australian Open

In 2022, Ajla Tomljanović lost in the second round of the Adelaide International 1 to Sofia Kenin after leading with match points. She was defeated by Paula Badosa in Sydney and at the Australian Open.

January 13, 2023: Appearance in Break Point on Netflix

On January 13, 2023, Ajla Tomljanović appeared in the tennis docuseries "Break Point", which premiered on Netflix.

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April 2023: Career-High Ranking Despite Hiatus

Despite withdrawing from the Australian Open due to a lingering knee injury, Ajla Tomljanović reached a career-high ranking of world No. 32 on April 3, 2023.

April 2023: Career-High Singles Ranking

On April 3, 2023, Ajla Tomljanović achieved her career-high singles ranking of world No. 32.

November 2023: First WTA 125 Tournament Win

In November 2023, Ajla Tomljanović won her first WTA 125 tournament in Florianópolis.

2023: Withdrawal from United Cup

In 2023, Ajla Tomljanović was part of the Australian United Cup team but withdrew from her matches due to a knee injury.

October 2024: Second WTA 125 Tournament Win

In October 2024, Ajla Tomljanović secured her second WTA 125 title in Hong Kong.

2024: 2024 Season Results

In 2024, Ajla Tomljanović made the semifinals at the Morocco Open but retired due to illness. She then beat her compatriot in a rematch at the French Open but lost in the next round, and she suffered a first-round exit at Wimbledon.