Ajla Tomljanovic revelling in Australian Open win after 2023 surgery gamble

Deciding to have surgery last year was a career-defining decision for one of only two Australian women left in the singles draw at the Australian Open.

Ajla Tomljanovic opened up on the “gamble” she took having surgery which derailed her 2023 campaign, revelling in her opening round Australian Open win as she prepares to stare down an old foe on Thursday.

Taking the time to enjoy her stunning three-set win over Croatian Petra Martic, Tomljanovic said it was hard for most people to understand the journey a player goes on from the highs of making the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and US Open in 2022, to watching most of 2023 from the sidelines.

It made Tuesday night’s win all the more special for one of only two remaining Aussie women in the draw after the first three days.

“I don’t know. I really feel like this is a big one for me. I don’t know why,” she said.

“I probably do know why. I feel like sometimes you guys and everyone, you don’t see me for a year, and no one really knows how it was. I just mean that because it’s normal. You’re not with me every day.

“Tonight was just a huge kind of reward that feels amazing. You don’t know every time when you’re coming back from surgery if you’ll come back. It’s a gamble in a way going under the knife. Yeah.

“I promised myself if I got another chance in AO with a close match, I really wanted to just come out not feeling that regret, which is the worst thing you can carry.

“Getting the win … I know when rehabbing, I wrote down in my journal that I can’t wait for that moment.

The great escape!

Down two breaks in the third, @AjlaTom battles back to win the final five games of the match, securing a 7-6(3) 4-6 6-4 victory over Petra Martic - her first at the #AusOpen since 2021!#AO2024pic.twitter.com/a637dFk5B4

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2024

“I’m just very, very, very happy that I’m here.”

Tomljanovic said before the tournament she would be “dangerous” and there’s not better time to bring that element to the table than in her next match against an opponent who once called her the “worst player on tour”.

World No.10, and 11th see, Jelena Ostapenko from Latvia threw the accusation at Tomljanovic during a 2021 clash at Wimbledon.

The Australian said it was no longer on her mind, but would ensure a “competitive” match.

“What happened happened. It’s been a while. I think we played each other after once more, and she beat me.

“Look, I have respect for her as a player. What happened, that was just in that moment. I just reacted. We never spoke about it.

“Yeah, we’re both going to be competitive. That’s for sure. I do think at least from my side I respect her as a tennis player, yeah. In that moment, I wasn’t happy.

“It’s fine. It will be a good match.”

Ostapenko will go into the match as a heavy favourite after defeating another Aussie, Kimberley Birrell, in straight sets on Tuesday.

Tomljanovic said she was “definitely the underdog” and OK with that.

“Every time I come back here I feel like it’s a new story

“I can’t come in here and be like, ‘Yeah I’m making the second week for sure’. I’m definitely in a different position coming into this AO.

“I do think that special things can happen at Slams. Every time I had a good run, it was never thinking further than the first obstacle. That can’t change now.”